Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC vs Sporting Club Jacksonville | Sat Mar 14, 2025 | 4 PM ET

Patrick McKenna
, ,
r/RhodeIslandFC - Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC vs Sporting Club Jacksonville | Sat Mar 14, 2025 | 4 PM ET

After a very long winter, we’re finally on the doorstep of Rhode Island FC’s third season. The offseason felt so long that the infamous Blizzard of ’26 even pushed our home opener back a week. But spring is slowly making its way to the Ocean State, and RIFC will finally kick things off on March 14 at 4 PM when the Tide welcomes league newcomers Sporting Club Jacksonville to Centreville Bank Stadium.

Look Back at Last Year

Last season was filled with highs and lows. Rhode Island opened its brand-new home at Centreville Bank Stadium, welcoming a total of 166,598 fans, including five sellouts and a record crowd of 10,749 against Birmingham Legion on July 5. On the field, RIFC continued its remarkable start as a franchise, reaching back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in its first two seasons as a club.

Defense remained the team’s defining strength. The Tide conceded just 29 goals in 34 matches, the fourth-fewest in the league, and recorded 14 clean sheets, second-best in the USL Championship. That defensive grit powered another memorable playoff run, highlighted by a dramatic upset over the Charleston Battery, where Rhode Island shut down the league’s top attack before winning in penalties.

The club also impressed in the new USL Cup, winning its group, leading the entire 38-team competition with 12 group-stage goals, and advancing to the semifinals. However, despite the deep runs in multiple competitions, goals were often hard to come by in league play. Rhode Island finished with the second-fewest goals in the league, making attacking reinforcements a clear priority heading into the new season.

Offseason

The offseason proved to be a busy one for the club. While the core of the roster initially looked set to return, the dust eventually settled with 11 players departing, including notable names like Maxi Rodriguez, Albert Dikwa, Marc Ybarra, and Jackson Lee. In response, the club strengthened the squad with several intriguing new additions, many of whom arrived from outside the USL system.

New Faces to Watch

Rhode Island also brings several intriguing new additions into the squad this season.

Leo Afonso, a 24-year-old Brazilian forward, arrived after time with Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United FC. Afonso showed a strong scoring touch in MLS Next Pro and loves cutting in from the left onto his right foot, giving Rhode Island another attacking option as they look to boost last year’s scoring output.

Agustín Rodríguez, a 21-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder on loan from Club Atlético Lanús, brings creativity and versatility to the Tide attack. Nicknamed “Pity,” he is capable of playing centrally or drifting wide as Rhode Island looks to add more spark in the attacking third.

Logan Dorsey, a 23-year-old American forward on loan from Minnesota United FC, arrives after a breakout season with MNUFC2, where he scored 12 goals. His direct style and willingness to shoot could give the Tide another dangerous option up front.

Nick Scardina, a 24-year-old American defender, joins after time with Charlotte FC and Crown Legacy FC. Comfortable playing up and down the right side, Scardina brings attacking energy from the wingback position and could finally give Rhode Island a true answer on the right flank after the team spent much of 2025 searching for consistency there.

Jacob Castro, a 26-year-old American goalkeeper from the Seattle Sounders FC system, arrives after several seasons with Tacoma Defiance. He provides important depth behind Koke Vegas following the departure of last season’s backup.

Where We Stand

After last week’s scheduled home opener against Loudoun was postponed due to the blizzard, Rhode Island FC will finally kick off its 2026 season on Saturday at Centreville Bank Stadium. The Tide return with much of the core that powered back-to-back Eastern Conference Final runs, while adding several new pieces this offseason as they look to build on a strong defense and improve an attack that struggled for goals last year.

Who We’re Facing

Sporting Club Jacksonville enters Saturday as a USL Championship expansion side after opening its inaugural season with a 3-0 loss to Hartford Athletic. Despite the result, Jacksonville showed attacking intent with 13 shots, nearly 500 passes, and 32 crosses, and arrives in Pawtucket looking to score its first goal and secure the first result in club history.

Rhody Randoms

  • Rhode Island FC returns 17 players from the 2025 squad, including 11 players who have been with the club since the inaugural 2024 season.
  • JJ Williams enters the season as Rhode Island FC’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals.
  • Rhode Island holds a 6W-2L record against Florida clubs.
  • Sporting Club Jacksonville is still searching for the first goal in club history after being shut out 3-0 in its debut match.

Vibe Check 

Year three. Let’s go. This is no longer the rookie season. It’s not a sophomore slump year. The stadium is built, the construction talk is over, and the novelty of being the “new club” has faded. Rhode Island FC isn’t trying to prove it belongs anymore – it already does. Now it’s about the next step. After months of waiting and one blizzard delay, tomorrow the Tide finally storms back to Pawtucket. Whether you’re in the stands, tailgating with Defiance, or cheering from home, it’s time to get back on that wave and ride the Tide. We’re cranking the energy up to 11.

How to Engage, Prepare, and Follow the Action:

Become an Official Supporter!

RIFC Related Podcasts, Shows, and Blogs:

Learn More About Our Squad and Club:

Learn More About Our Opponent:

For the Fans, By the Fans: Tide Talk RI is a collaborative media partnership for Rhode Island FC fans. It features a team of dedicated content creators producing podcasts, live streams, videos, written articles, blog posts, and open forum discussions with other fans. Ride the tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

Leave a comment

Trending