Another week, another 0-0 result from Rhode Island FC at home. On one hand – it’s the first time since mid-May that they’ve gone consecutive matches without a loss. On the other, it’s the sixth time out of ten league home matches that they’ve failed to score a goal.

Loudoun only had one shot on target, which came in second half stoppage time – but don’t mistake that for believing they lacked chances. It was a relatively back and forth game with chances coming on both ends.

There are signs that Rhode Island FC is headed in the right direction. But it feels increasingly unlikely they will flip a switch like last year, but rather gradually improve week over week. Personally, I can live with this if it means that we enter 2026 with some signs of life.

I’m not in the mood for Taylor Swift puns, but will give credit to the club for a well-executed “Folklore” theme night. Obviously the merch situation was a disaster. This is just a baseline expectation for the club at this point – but the rest was well done. The theme clearly appealed to a broader audience and introduced new fans to the club.

I also want to thank the Defiance 1636 board for giving me the opportunity to present the Man of the Match paddle on Saturday night. It’s a surreal experience to get to be down on the field level for the last 5-10 minutes of the match and see it from that perspective, as well as standing with Flanny and the player for their post-game interview.

I’ve seen and heard enough of JJ to know that he doesn’t want that paddle after a 0-0 draw at home – but he was a class act in receiving it, nonetheless.

And finally, while I’m plugging stuff outside of the match: don’t forget to join the Rhode Riders before some of our remaining home matches. It has been one of my favorite parts of this season. It makes the full matchday experience approximately seven hours long – which is exactly what I want.

For those who are interested in comparing, here is a document tracking all player ratings for the season so far.

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) – 6/10

Two clean sheets in two matches since returning from injury. It wasn’t a transcendent performance like Wednesday against Detroit City FC – mainly because Loudoun only put one shot on target – but Koke saved the one shot on goal that was sent his way, and – as usual – offered solid distribution. He made some other sharp plays on balls in the box and/or shots that were going wide but he kept in to restart play quickly.

I really missed his mid-range sliced pass out to the wingbacks just inside our half of the midfield line.

Karifa Yao (D) – 5/10

Yao was solid defensively as usual – a bit shaky with the ball at his feet, but that’s nothing new. He won all six of his duels (three on the ground, three in the air).

Hugo Bacharach (D) – 5/10

Hugo had to make way to half time after suffering a concussion late in the first half. He was playing well defensively up until then, including a goal-saving block in the 37th minute.

Loudoun was able to limit Hugo quite a bit more than Detroit City FC in the midweek match, so we didn’t see nearly as much of Hugo carrying the ball out of the back line as we did on Wednesday. But he did have this one great run through the midfield, leading to our best chance of the game. Hugo should’ve buried this one.

Aime Mabika (D) – 6/10

Another very good defensive match from Aime. He was our best central defender last night at sniffing out danger before it ever became a Loudoun chance. I’m also happy to see both Aime and Yao getting more involved on corner kicks. I want that damn chicken sandwich.

I think this is probably our most dynamic back three to use going forward, but considering how unstable the team sheet has been from week to week, I wouldn’t bank on it. If we’re experimenting anyway, I wouldn’t mind seeing Khano go back to a back four again. Personally I would include Aime in that, if we do.

Aldair Sanchez (MF) – 4/10

Aldair once again failed to make much of an impact on this match from the offensive end. He did find the target with the only cross that he put in (the beautiful ball in to Hugo for his first half chance), but I was underwhelmed by the performance otherwise. He also famously missed a chance to play JJ down the left wing in the first half – and got an earful from JJ for it.

I do think Loudoun targeted him a bit defensively – which has been a recurring issue. The majority of Loudoun’s passes into the final third and into our box came down their right side.

There’s still a very good player here, but it’s quite a drop off compared to how we were talking about him in March.

Matthew Corcoran (MF) – 6/10

Impressed with what I’ve seen from Corcoran so far. He’s a metronomic midfielder – leading the team in touches and accurate passes – who will suck in a defense until he has a chance to pick a pass and break a line. He was also solid defensively against Loudoun, regularly winning the ball back in our half, and put good pressure on the Loudoun ball carriers and was able to dispossess them on a few occasions to win the ball back higher up the field.

He had a chance to score from the top of the box just 12 seconds into the match, which curled just wide of the post after taking a deflection.

Marc Ybarra (MF) – 5/10

Ybarra led the team with 10 defensive actions and was generally much more visible in the center of the field than last match. The team also looked significantly more dangerous on set pieces than they have in a long time, thanks to improved delivery from Ybarra. The only knock I really have were some sketchy clearances in the second half – but generally a good performance.

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF) – 4/10

Nothing is a better indicator of how flawed this squad is built than having to alternate Clay and Amos at right wing back. Amos played like Amos, but his best traits are just not at the forefront in this position.

Maxi Rodriguez (MF) – 5/10

Average performance for Maxi and similar to his previous few performances. I do think Maxi is in a bit of a slump, and/or discouraged by this being only his second start in the last four matches, not being able to start against his former club, etc.

He put in a solid midfield shift, but didn’t contribute nearly enough to the attack for my liking.

Noah Fuson (F) – 4/10

Noah was not on the ball enough in this match, seeing only one touch in the opposition box, and delivering only one pass into the final third. You’d hope to see some chances come naturally for Noah, playing off of JJ – but that wasn’t the case.

Noah did deliver one very dangerous half-space cross into the box in the first half for JJ.

JJ Williams (F) – 6/10

Very JJ-like stat line, as he looked much more like himself tonight than against Pittsburgh last weekend.

First and foremost, JJ led all players with five shots. Even if only one was on target, I want JJ to be firing-at-will. He also led all players in touches in the opposition box (6) and duels won – winning 10 total, including 8/10 on aerial duels.

JJ also hit the post in the 17th minute… although, I’m fairly certain this was an attempted cross.

Subs

Zachary Herivaux – 6/10

I think several fans were a bit skeptical when Zach came on as a straight swap for Hugo, taking up the RCB position – but I thought he came on and performed admirably. I never worried about him on the ball, but was pleasantly surprised by his defensive effort.

He was badly dispossesed in our own half in the 78th minute, leading to the Loudoun chance that rattled the crossbar.

Dwayne Atkinson – 6/10

Time to eat some crow. I’ve at least privately, if not publicly, been saying that I don’t think adding Atkinson is going to have an impact on the team, and that the footage I’ve seen from the Jamaican league wouldn’t translate to USL.

I’m happy to report that it looks like I was dead wrong. His first couple of touches were a bit loose, but he was able to make up for it (at least the one in the clip below) with an explosive burst of pace, and a good carry through the midfield leading to a chance created for JJ.

Actually – I love everything about this counterattack, starting with the Koke throw. Maxi does very well to find Atkinson in space, and the thought of turning around and passing the ball backwards never even crosses Atkinson’s mind.

I’m very excited to see more, and wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Khano throw him a start in the next game or two.

Jojea Kwizera – 5/10

Kwizera looked dangerous driving down the left after subbing on. While I liked the 60th minute attacking infusion of bringing on Kwizera and Atkinson, I think at least one – if not both – should start next match. The attack looked much more threatening with them on the field.

Clay Holstad – N/A

Albert Dikwa – N/A

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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.