Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC vs North Carolina FC | Sat Jul 27, 2024 7:30 PM EST

Patrick McKenna
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Last week, we extended our winning streak, making it six games without a loss. During the trip to Birmingham, several key players returned to their former team: Coach Khano Smith, JJ Williams, Zachary Herivaux, Collin Smith, Gabriel Alves, and Clay Holstad. Rhode Island FC quickly took the lead, with Noah Fuson scoring just 53 seconds into the match thanks to a brilliant chest assist from Albert “Chico” Dikwa. They maintained a 1-0 lead into halftime. Early in the second half, Prosper Kasim equalized with a superb left-footed curling shot. The match stayed tied until substitute Zachary Herivaux made his impact. In the 68th minute, JJ Williams intercepted a poor pass deep in Birmingham’s half, held up play until support arrived, and then delivered a backheeled pass to Herivaux, who scored. Nine minutes later, Herivaux struck again, firing a loose ball from just outside the penalty area into the net, securing a 3-1 victory for Rhode Island FC over the Magic City squad. Herivaux’s impressive performance earned him the USL Championship Player of the Week award.

Tomorrow, we’re back at home against North Carolina FC, and it feels like another must-win – but let’s be honest, every game feels like a must-win right now! We’re grateful for that Draw Kings crown we wore early in the season; those extra points are proving crucial as we dive into the second half. After last week’s win, we’ve leapfrogged North Carolina and landed in playoff position. Now, North Carolina is left on the outside, just nipping at our heels in the standings. North Carolina is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference standings, with 23 points from 5 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses. They are coming off consecutive draws against Detroit City and Sacramento Republic and are aiming to regain a playoff position. Meanwhile, Rhode Island holds 8th place with 25 points from 5 wins, 10 draws, and 4 losses. Instead of just defending our playoff position, let’s keep our foot on the gas and keep climbing the table. Watch out, Loudoun, Detroit, and Birmingham – Rhode Island is on the move! But to keep climbing, we must maintain our momentum and stay focused on what’s right in front of us: North Carolina!

VIBE CHECK: It’s time to check the vibes! Fans, we want to hear from you about our team’s performance this season. What’s the vibe? How are you feeling? What’s your score prediction? Are you heading to Bernie to catch the game? No matter where you’re tuning in from, let’s ride the tide together and rally behind our team as we take on North Carolina!

Alsoooo, guess what? Our first home Derby match against Hartford Athletic Pathetic is next week, and we need every single one of you there! It’s a big rivalry game, and we’re counting on your energy to bring home the win! Let’s make some noise and show Hartford what Rhode Island’s made of!! #UpTheTide

Kickoff Weather: Approx: 77°. Mostly Sunny. 0% of precipitation. Winds N 5 mph. Sunset 8:09 PM EST.

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For the Fans, By the Fans: Tide Talk RI is a collaborative media partnership for Rhode Island FC fans. It features a team of dedicated content creators producing podcasts, live streams, videos, written articles, blog posts, and open forum discussions with other fans. Ride the tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

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