Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC @ New Mexico United | Fri Oct 24, 2025 | 9 PM ET

Patrick McKenna
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r/RhodeIslandFC - Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC @ New Mexico United | Fri Oct 24, 2025 | 9 PM ET

The Regular Season Finale: Tune-Up in the Desert

The playoffs await, but the work isn’t done yet.

After clinching their postseason spot with a gritty scoreless draw in North Carolina, Rhode Island FC now heads west for one last regular-season test under the desert lights of Albuquerque. The Tide make their first trip to the Land of Enchantment to face New Mexico United in a late-night duel that will decide whether they enter the playoff bracket as the 7th or 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The stakes are clear: win and lock in the 7-seed, or risk a trip to league-leading Louisville. Either way, this match is about carrying the rhythm, belief, and momentum into what promises to be another thrilling October run.

And he, it’s the final installment of RIFC After Dark (we’ve got to get this term to stick). So brew the coffee, light the candle, and let’s get wild.

Where We Stand

Rhode Island FC enter the final weekend of the season unbeaten in six straight (three wins, three draws) and peaking when it matters most. The Tide sit in seventh place with 38 points from 10 wins, 11 losses, and eight draws. The backline has been unbreakable, with back-to-back clean sheets and just 27 goals conceded all year, which is the third-best mark in the league.

Goalkeeper Koke Vegas continues to etch his name into club history, notching his 11th shutout of the season and 20th in an RIFC shirt. The defensive unit has featured a revolving cast throughout the year including Yao, Mabika, Nodarse, Stoneman, Bacharach, Rovira, Hope-Gund, and more recently Diop. They have remained consistently resolute. In midfield, the return of Clay Holstad has helped steady the ship, combining with Shapiro-Thompson, Rodriguez, Herivaux, and Ybarra to keep the engine humming and the ball moving progressively with purpose.

Up front, JJ Williams and Noah Fuson remain poised to reignite the attack that dropped five goals on Tampa Bay just two weeks ago. The Tide are creating chances, playing with confidence, and showing the same balance and bite that carried them to the USL Final last fall.

With one more result, they can seal the number seven seed and a postseason trip to Charleston. Anything less, and a showdown with Louisville may await.

Who We’re Facing

New Mexico United close out their regular season at home, already locked into the number three seed in the Western Conference. They will finish third with 45 points from 13 wins, 10 losses, and 6 draws. The club boasts a 6–4–4 home record and enters the weekend as one of the hottest sides in the league, unbeaten in six and having lost just twice in their last nine matches.

Their games have been wild lately, including back-to-back 3–3 draws against Orange County and Oakland in which they both led and surrendered multiple goals. This is a team that can score with anyone, tallying 43 goals on the year, but it has struggled to protect leads, dropping 17 points from winning positions.

Veteran striker Greg Hurst leads the line with seven goals, joined by defender-turned-finisher Talen Maples, who has six and a knack for scoring on set pieces, including against RIFC last season. Mukwelle Akale provides creativity and leads the squad with six assists, while Gedion Zelalem and Sergio Rivas control the tempo in midfield.

Expect a fast, open match in thin air and a raucous atmosphere at Isotopes Park. It is one final tune-up before the postseason.

Rhody Randoms

  • RIFC’s last meeting with New Mexico came on March 13, 2024, at Bryant, in the club’s inaugural match as a professional team. It ended in a thrilling 1–1 draw, capped by a dramatic late equalizer (glory to Mark Doyle) that saw many fans instantly catch a lifelong case of RIFC fever.
  • The Tide’s six-game unbeaten run is their longest since the nine-match stretch that led to the 2024 USL Final.
  • RIFC have recorded 12 clean sheets, second-most in the USL Championship.
  • Koke Vegas leads all USL goalkeepers (21+ starts) in fewest goals allowed (17).
  • A win or Detroit City loss secures the 7-seed and a playoff trip to Charleston Battery (Nov 2 @ 2 PM).
  • A loss combined with a Detroit City win means the 8-seed and a rematch with Louisville City FC (Nov 1 @ 7 PM).

Vibe Check

It’s the finale. One more night under the lights. One more chance to sharpen the edge before the real fight begins. From Pawtucket to Providence, from the Seekonk to the Sandia Mountains, Rhode Island is riding with you. The stage may be far from home, but the energy travels. The Tide are rolling west with belief, brotherhood, and unfinished business. Grab a few 5-Hour Energy nips, rally some friends, and get ready to stay up late. Let’s finish strong, ride this Tide, carry the wave into the playoffs, and keep this story alive. #UpTheTide #VamosRhodeIsland #NMvRI

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For the Fans, By the Fans. Tide Talk RI is an independent media hub for Rhode Island FC supporters, featuring podcasts, live streams, videos, articles, and open fan discussions. Ride the Tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

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