My heart rate has finally normalized after the nervy end to that match, and I can happily say that Rhode Island FC claimed their first US Open Cup victory in club history with a 2-1 victory over Portland Hearts of Pine in Lewiston, Maine.

Khano went with moderate rotation as he made six changes to the lineup from our last win. When I saw the lineup I felt it was one or two too many changes – considering the result, it’d be hard to argue that I was right? Portland largely dominated the second half – both before and after that Karifa Yao red card – and Rhode Island had to bring on several big guns (Maxi Rodriguez, Noah Fuson, Jojea Kwizera) to help see it over the line.

Usually I like to take a couple of cheap shot at the home supporters in an away day blog, but the Portland fans up in Lewiston were fantastic. The site for the match – about 40 miles north of where Portland will ultimately play their home matches – was jammed out on a rainy Tuesday night with HoP supporters. Their supporters section in the bleachers opposite of us was engaged and… adequately intimidating. They’d give all except for a few USL Championship supporters a run for their money.

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Jackson Lee (GK) – 6/10

Lee was solid in his 2025 debut in net for Rhode Island FC. He made a few comfortable saves (although, is anything really comfortable on a wet pitch, with a slick ball?) and two very important, full extension saves.

Might he have done better on the Portland goal? It looks to me like he should’ve had the inside post a bit more covered, especially since Karifa Yao was somewhat blocking the far post angle. I’ll be honest, if Koke conceded it, I’d be saying “Lee Saves That”.

Grant Stoneman (D) – 6/10

Stoneman was great defensively, as he led all players with 12 clearances (the next highest player had five) and winning all six of his aerial duels. Only 50% pass accuracy, but this had more to do with the game plan and just lumping it up top.

Karifa Yao (D) – 4/10

I’m ready to get destroyed for this take, but I don’t think Yao did much wrong on the Portland goal. He stuck with the play and angled off the far post shot. Am I wrong?

The much more offensive sequence for Yao was picking up his second yellow card (causing him to be sent off in the 78th minute). The first yellow card – occurring on the play immediately preceding his second – was an objectively terrible call. The second call was tacky as well, but you have to be aware and intelligent enough to avoid that giving the ref the opportunity to make that call. Especially when your team is clinging to a one goal lead on the road.

Frank Nodarse (D) – 6/10

I had the pleasure of driving to and from this game with the founding member of the Frank Nodarse Fan Club, Mr. Matt Hands. Although he insisted that I give Frank a 10 for this performance, I think a 6 is more than fair.

Frank had a few shaky moments defending, and a few shaky moments going forward. But his left-footed finish on Rhode Island FC’s second goal was excellent.

Clay Holstad (MF) – 6/10

Clay followed up his goal-and-assist performance in Oakland with another hugely important goal against Portland to open the scoring. While it was a good cross from Aldair Sanchez, Clay makes a pretty difficult finish look very easy here.

I do wonder if he’s finding a bit of a rhythm at the right wing back position.

Taimu Okiyoshi (MF) – 5/10

It was another decently promising showing from Taimu. What stood out most to me was that he often displayed great technical skill to receive the ball and take a touch to open up his passing options – but then often turned around and passed backwards to our defense.

Again, it does seem like our game plan was largely “screw it, JJ’s up there somewhere”, so perhaps this was partially Taimu following instructions to get it to a defender for them to send it over the top.

Zachary Herivaux (MF) – 5/10

Similar to Taimu, a lot of this match didn’t really play out through the midfield but Herivaux was good when called upon. He was a perfect 8/8 on ground duels in just 57 minutes… Zach’s still got it.

Aldair Sanchez (MF) – 6/10

Aldair is probably the best crosser we have on the team, and it was on display as he set up Clay Holstad for the opening goal of the game. His set piece delivery was good (as usual) in this match, and he also had the highest pass accuracy of all Rhode Island FC players at 82%.

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (F) – 5/10

Go back and re-watch the Holstad goal (above) and look at the great work that Amos did to hold up the ball in the build up to it. AST also made an incredible back-pressing run in the 89th minute that had many of the Rhode Island FC traveling fans cheering.

Otherwise, he had a somewhat underwhelming game on paper… but keep in mind that we were mainly trying to send the ball over the top into the final third, which is perhaps not the most effective game plan when JJ is flanked by Amos and Joe Brito.

JJ Williams (F) – 6/10

Like Amos, JJ fought for every single ball that came his way and ended up tied with Karifa Yao with eight aerial duels won. JJ did create chaos off of the aerial balls, as usual, but Portland was organized at the back so it was not as fruitful as we’ve seen in other games this season.

JJ did, of course, win the first header that eventually leads to our second goal scored by Frank Nodarse.

Joseph Brito (F) – 5/10

Again like Amos, I don’t think Joe Brito’s best role is playing as a forward off of JJ Williams. He did fare better than Amos in the air, winning three out of his six aerial duels – but otherwise didn’t get a chance to impact the game much besides his ever-effective pressing game.

Subs

Maxi Rodriguez (MF) – 5/10

This game was honestly a complete dog fight by the time any subs came in, starting with Maxi in the 57th minute. Fortunately for us, Maxi is a dog, as he came in and led all players with 3/3 successful tackles and managed to win six duels in that short time as well.

Noah Fuson (F) – fewer than 10 touches

Rio Hope-Gund (D) – 6/10

Also fewer than 10 touches… but Hope-Gund came on to play as a right back in a flat back four shape following the sending off of Karifa Yao, and made a couple of great defensive plays.

Jojea Kwizera (F) – fewer than 10 touches

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Rating Scale:

• 1/10 – Abysmal. You might as well have me on the pitch.
• 2/10 – Very bad
• 3/10 – Bad
• 4/10 – Below Average
• 5/10 – Average. The player did their job.
• 6/10 – Good
• 7/10 – Very good
• 8/10 – Great
• 9/10 – Outstanding
• 10/10 – Transcendent performance. Watch out, because Real Madrid may come knocking.