A New England Clash Years in the Making
Rhode Island FC fans were already buzzing after a tighter than expected win on Tuesday over Portland Hearts of Pine in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup. And now? The next chapter of this Cup run will certainly be the most memorable yet.
RIFC has drawn the New England Revolution in the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup to be played on May 7.
Yes, those Revs. The original big boys of New England soccer. An MLS original. The big brother up north. And soon, they’ll be rolling down I-95 to face a team that didn’t exist on a professional matchday calendar until 13 months ago.
It’s hard to think of a more compelling draw for RIFC and its fans. This one’s got layers.
The Stadium That Actually Got Built
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. For decades, the New England Revolution have talked about building a soccer-specific stadium. From Dorchester to South Boston to Somerville, Revere, Everett (and probably more I am missing), we’ve seen artist renderings, political maneuvering, and plenty of pipe dreams. But despite all that MLS pedigree and Robert Kraft’s deep pockets, the Revs are still playing in the cavernous Gillette Stadium. A place that, on most nights, feels like a sea of empty plastic seats with a soccer game happening somewhere in the middle. The optics on the broadcast are horrendous, regardless of what inflated attendance numbers are officially published.
Meanwhile in Pawtucket, Rhode Island FC is just a couple of weeks away from opening its brand new home: Centreville Bank Stadium. A 10,500-seat venue built for soccer (that can quickly scale to over 15,000 in the future), in the middle of a walkable, urban neighborhood, with fans that have shown up in droves even while the team plays its “home” games out of state. It’s poetic that the team with no history got the stadium the team with all the history never could.
Add in the the fact that this match will mark just the second-ever game at Tidewater Landing Centreville Bank Stadium, coming only days after its grand opening on May 3. The brand-new, shiny toy will be on full display, both for the broadcast and for any Revolution fans who manage to grab tickets. It’s hard to imagine a better early showcase for the stadium than a Cup tie against the region’s MLS giant.
That context makes this Cup match more than just a game. It’s a symbolic moment: the established giant backed by a billionaire NFL owner visiting the upstart club that’s building something the old guard still can’t figure out.
Bragging Rights Across Borders
Rhode Island FC fans have quickly established themselves as one of the most engaged and passionate supporter bases in the USL. And despite its short history, the club has proven itself to be a serious competitor in the league following its USL Championship Cup Final run last year. It is also a club with focused intent, not only on the field but also at the ownership level with how it has managed the organization.A prime example is their repeatedly stated desire to bring Rhode Island FC into the Division 1 tier of the US soccer pyramid once the USL establishes a D1 league in 2027/2028.
Meanwhile, the Revs have a much longer history including multiple MLS Cup Final appearances, a Supporters’ Shield, and a US Open Cup trophy under their belt. However, they also suffer from a long track record of inconsistent form, coaching turnover, and feeling like an afterthought in their own market. Spurned and devoted fans of the club both admonish the owner’s allergic reaction to investing in the team and making them more competitive in the MLS and continental competitions. This has caused many fans to lose connection with the club, with many of those same fans renewing their love for supporting local soccer via Rhode Island FC.
For one night, the two clubs will meet on equal footing in front of what should be a packed house in Pawtucket. Major bragging rights are on the line as the war of words between supporters from each side has already begun.
Familiar Ties
This matchup is also personal for several members of the RIFC squad (and one old one).
Head coach Khano Smith is a Revolution legend in his own right. The Bermuda international spent six seasons in Foxborough across two stints, racking up 100 appearances and playing a key role in the team’s most successful era. He was part of the Revs sides that reached three straight MLS Cup Finals from 2005 to 2007 and helped lift the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. His connection to the Revolution is deep, and you can be sure this fixture means a little more to him than most.
On the pitch, Zachary Herivaux came through the Revolution Academy and signed as their third ever Homegrown Player, making 10 appearances between 2015 and 2018. A Haitian international, Herivaux is a veteran of both MLS and USL and adds yet another layer of familiarity to this Cup clash.
Rhode Island native Isaac Angking, born in Providence, RI, was a highly touted Revs Academy product himself and also signed as a Homegrown Player with the first team in 2018. While injuries limited his impact in MLS, his journey from local standout to RIFC midfielder makes this matchup especially meaningful. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing him in action in this matchup as he continues to recover from an ACL tear.
Cole Dewhurst, who RIFC signed this offseason, also spent his youth career at the New England Revolution Academy, racking up more than 90 games there before making before making his professional debut New England Revolution II in 2021. Additionally, Massachusetts native Amos Shapiro-Thompson also spent some youth career with the New England Revolution Academy, too.
Lastly, who could forget the two loan spells last year from the Revolution to Rhode Island for Jack Panayotou. After bouncing back and forth between these two clubs last season, Jack P has spent all of 2025 with the Revolution. Despite regularly making it onto the team sheet, his only actual minutes played thus far have come with the Revolution II in the MLS Next Pro league. Could this be a game where he is finally rewarded with some minutes against his old club?
Where They Stand
Rhode Island FC, playing all of its matches on the road so far, has had a bumpy start to USL play. After four games, they’ve earned just 4 points and sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. The Cup win over Portland was a grind, but it did show grit against a determined opponent. Rhode Island is still looking to regain the form it had on the way to its run to the Final last season, but some upcoming home cooking should give them a big boost to that end.
The Revolution, meanwhile, are still trying to shake off the stench of 2024, one of the worst seasons in club history. Their 2024 campaign was a disaster, finishing second to last in the Eastern Conference. The start of 2025 hasn’t offered much relief. With 7 points from 7 matches, they’re stuck in 12th place out of 15 and have rarely looked convincing. Head coach Caleb Porter is on the hot seat and it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll view this Cup match as a distraction or a fixture that must be taken seriously. Does he roll out his strongest XI or does he save legs for the league matches that surround this matchup?
All of that sets up a compelling contrast: an MLS team in turmoil versus a USL side with nothing to lose and a supporters section itching to turn up the volume in just the second-ever match at their brand new stadium.
Cup Magic and a Chance to Make History
Could we see a “Cupset”? The U.S. Open Cup is famous for these moments, ones where a lower-division club punches up and rattles a giant. Over the years, we have seen multiple upsets and storylines that captured national attention. It’s the magic of the Cup, after all. If Rhode Island FC can knock off the Revolution, it won’t just be a local story. It’ll be national news in the soccer world.
A victory for RIFC also guarantees them a home matchup in the Round 16, which gives them a real shot at a deep run this competition. This would captivate the local, growing fanbase and really add some momentum for a club that already over-performed in its first season.
But even beyond a Cup run, this match means something more. It’s a local derby and a measuring stick. It’s a chance for Rhode Island FC to show it belongs in the broader American soccer conversation. And for fans, it’s a rare opportunity to see an MLS team come into our backyard for a match that counts.
Whatever happens, you can bet Tide Talk will be there to cover it.
Vamos RIFC
Up The Tide!
Tide Talk 
Leave a comment