Rhode Island FC kept their season alive with a 3-1 win over Las Vegas Lights on Sunday night, sending them back into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

It was Rhode Island’s first come-from-behind win of the season, which makes it one of the most exciting matches we’ve had at Tidewater yet. Not to mention, this was really just a basketball game for the last 25 minutes, with fast-paced, odd-man counterattack chances breaking out in both directions nearly every possession.

It was the first time the team has scored three goals in a league match at home this season, AND only the second time they’ve scored multiple goals at home in the league.

The performance was far from perfect, considering it took RIFC almost 75 minutes – and a series of substitutions and a change to the starting formation (credit to Khano here) – to show any threat at all. Nonetheless, Rhode Island FC now find themselves in their best form of the season; unbeaten in their last four matches and having won four of their last six.

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

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) – 7/10

After a quiet first half, Koke was called upon to make a few high-difficulty saves in the second half. In particular, his 81st minute save on McNamara to keep the game level at 1-1 was crucial – and an honorable mention to his position save immediately following Amos’ goal-line clearance in the 94th minute.

Karifa Yao (D) – 6/10

An unremarkable but characteristically reliable defensive performance from Yao – exactly the consistency and performances that we’ve come to expect from him. He did lead the team in defensive actions (8) and duels won (9 out of 12).

Grant Stoneman (D) – 5/10

Stoneman did well enough, but I can’t unsee him getting turned inside out by a 34-year-old Tommy McNamara in what should have been the go-ahead goal for Las Vegas Lights. Grant owes Koke a beer after that one, for sure.

Hamady Diop (D) – 4/10

Not passing judgement on Diop yet, despite a bit of a sloppy first start. His defensive positioning was suspect, which came to bite Rhode Island early in the second half when Las Vegas scored their first goal on a ball that got over Diop’s head, and he was never able to recover.

I had hoped perhaps to see Diop make up for defensive shortcomings with physicality and/or a good passing game, but didn’t see a whole lot of any of the above.

Jojea Kwizera (MF) – 4/10

Kwizera has put in some decent performances lately, but this was one of the more frustrating ones. He wasn’t getting down to the touchline as freely and easily (the bread and butter of his game), and the quality of passes and crosses that he was playing from dangerous positions just wasn’t to his usual standard in this match.

Zachary Herivaux (MF) – 6/10

Our last four games marks the longest consecutive run of league games that Herivaux has started for Rhode Island FC this season, and he’s played himself into being nearly un-droppable. Not only is he a ball-winner and an easy outlet pass for defenders in our midfield – but he turns quickly and always looks to carry or progress the ball forward.

The team simply looks more dangerous, and more organized with Herivaux in the midfield. In fact, Herivaux led the team with eight passes into the attacking third.

Hugo Bacharach (MF) – 6/10

Starting in the double pivot with Herivaux, Hugo seemed to cover a lot of ground tonight. Candidly, some of his stats aren’t particularly strong (59% passing, only 39 touches, 6/12 on duels), but I thought he brought a level of dynamism and risk-taking to that holding midfield position that we have been missing when Ybarra starts.

Of course, Hugo scored the great equalizing goal for Rhode Island FC in the 77th minute on a shot from outside the box that took a deflection – his first goal for Rhode Island FC, and a massive goal for the season.

Clay Holstad (MF) – 5/10

Much quieter Clay performance as he primarily played at right wingback again. Unfortunately, his man got the better of him as he finished the match 0/5 on ground duels.

But then, magically, we saw the return of midfield-Clay for the final third of this match, and he was immediately much more impactful. Just the most obvious example: Clay made a great, gut-busting run from a midfield position in the 90th minute leading to a perfect pass to Noah Fuson in stride, in the box, to win the game.

Noah Fuson (F) – 7/10

Noah was involved in two of the biggest moments of this match – first, the 90th minute game-winner off the aforementioned feed from Clay. This was a tidy, one-timed finish from Fuson. It’s something you would’ve expected him to finish with ease last year, but far from a sure thing for any of our offensive players this season.

Just five minutes later, Fuson technically assisted on JJ’s 95th minute dagger goal. In fairness to JJ though, Fuson’s pass did not do much of the heavy lifting on this one.

Albert Dikwa (F) – 4/10

After a strong substitute performance last week, I had high hopes for Dikwa replacing the injured Joe Brito in the starting lineup. Unfortunately, our right side continued to just be basically a black hole, and Dikwa was no more involved than Brito has been. Dikwa had a few chances where he found dangerous positions, but never truly threatened the Las Vegas goal.

JJ Williams (F) – 7/10

Williams scored the insurance goal in the 95th minute, which was a massive pressure relief after the onslaught of corners that Rhode Island was suffering in the moments prior to this goal.

Even before the goal, JJ was causing Las Vegas lots of problems with his physicality – tying for a team-high nine duels won. He had another solid scoring chance – a headed opportunity off of an early cross – in the 76th minute.

Most importantly, I got an answer to my burning question from last week:

Subs

Amos Shapiro-Thompson – 6/10

Looked a bit rusty in his return after missing the last two matches due to injury – but how can I knock a guy who leaves everything on the pitch the way that Amos does? Not only did he make the play of the game with his 90th minute goal line-clearance, but a handful of other “110% effort” runs come to mind when I think of Amos’ showing as well.

Maxi Rodriguez – 6/10

Similarly, Maxi took some time but provided a much-needed creative spark in the attacking third once he settled into the match. Maxi provided the assist for Hugo’s equalizing goal – you could say Hugo (and the deflection) did most of the work here, but few players in our squad would attempt – and perfectly execute – the backheeled pass Maxi used to get Hugo in so much space at the edge of the box.

Dwayne Atkinson – 6/10

Instant spark from Atkinson as soon as he came on the pitch. It wasn’t perfect, but the ball is always relentlessly moving forward when it’s at Atkinson’s feet. Of course, Atkinson also made a good, shifty move to start the attacking sequence leading to Noah’s go-ahead goal.

Aime Mabika – N/A

Aldair Sanchez – 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.