Rhode Island FC fell 2-1 to Miami FC in Florida on Saturday night, and have now started their second consecutive regular season with one draw and two losses.

On paper it looks like we were hard-done by the result; almost 60% possession and 21 shots to Miami’s nine. However, this showing looked alarmingly similar to last year’s performances with a decent amount of possession in the opponents’ half, but not a lot of dangerous chances to show for it.

Keep in mind, this was a Rhode Island FC side without their talismanic goal-scorer in JJ Williams, and their manager, Khano Smith – both sent off against Louisville in the week prior. The team must’ve learned their lesson, right? Well, apparently not, as Hugo Bacharach was sent off in the 80th minute against Miami as the team was pushing for an equalizer.

No Khano, but same Rhode Island FC.

I spent the entire offseason pumping up this team, confident that we would right the wrongs of last year’s regular season. Despite improved performances, so far, the team is proving me dead wrong. If we don’t start picking up three points consistently – and soon – we are going to be in serious trouble.

Candidly, I am deeply worried about our Open Cup game on Wednesday against a relatively in-form Hartford team. And equally worried about our next league game, at home against Detroit City FC.

It’s early in the season, but you’ll be able to track historical ratings for the year using this document:

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) – 4/10

It was far from a disaster by Koke, but it was below the standard that he’s set for himself in his time with Rhode Island FC. He made some nice saves in the second half to hold Miami at two goals – but on the first Miami goal, he’s beaten by the initial shot from distance that hits the post. He does well to get something on the rebound, but unfortunately sends it right into danger.

On the second Miami goal, he certainly doesn’t get much help from his defense, but a truly in-form Koke makes this save.

Frank Nodarse (D) – 5/10

For the majority of this match, Frank was good on the ball (leading all players with 4/5 successful dribbles) and solid defensively (leading all Rhode Island players with 7 defensive contributions). He was also exceptional on duels – both on the ground, and in the air.

On the second Miami goal, there is a defensive breakdown as Karifa Yao is stepping up to hold the line while Frank is playing deep and playing Ndongo onside. Frank isn’t quite able to recover fast enough and get a block on Ndongo’s shot.

Karifa Yao (D) – 4/10

Yao was having a decent night, and was the victim of a formation change when he subbed off in the 64th minute as Rhode Island FC switched to a back four. I was pleasantly surprised by some solid forward passing on occasion. He’s being dinged for his role in the second Miami goal (referenced above, under Frank Nodarse).

Grant Stoneman (D) – 4/10

Another underwhelming night from Stoneman, as his long passing in particular left a lot to be desired. Credit to Miami’s goalkeeper, Felipe Rodriguez, who was near-perfect on the night at snuffing out Rhode Island long balls that had a chance of getting behind the defense.

Stoneman also got away with what looked like a handball to me in the second half – so we may have dodged a bullet (well… a third bullet).

It will be interesting to see whether it’s Stoneman, or Nodarse, who makes way for Hamady Diop – as he will surely return to the starting lineup. I’d rather see Stoneman sit, but Khano has shown an affinity towards him in the past.

Aldair Sanchez (MF) – 5/10

Aldair had a very strong first half and was one of our more threatening offensive players alongside Pity Rodriguez. He generated one of the most clear cut chances of the game – a well-executed cutback cross from the touchline to Logan Dorsey that was saved by the Miami keeper. I think if it were JJ in the middle, this probably goes in the back of the net.

Hugo Bacharach (MF) – 4/10

Bacharach has still not found his form, after starting the season with what appeared to be a knock and a disappointing outing against CD Faialense in the US Open Cup.

He had a few good moments going forward – leading the team with four chances created – but overall a bit disappointing and occasionally nonchalant to the point of giving the ball away. I’m not sure that either of his yellow cards was warranted, but a sending off is a sending off and now we’ll be without him against Detroit City.

Clay Holstad (MF) – 4/10

Clay was not at the top of his game, particularly in the final third – as he gave the ball away numerous times whether by passing or dribbling. He was, however, characteristically active all over the midfield – and had a great chance at equalizing in the 69th minute.

Nick Scardina (MF) – 4/10

Whatever. A perfectly pedestrian performance, when the team really needed some players to step up around the pitch.

Pity Rodriguez (MF) – 6/10

Pity was surely our best player for the duration of this match. In the first half, especially, every Rhode Island threat came from or involved Pity Rodriguez. Runs in-behind, dangerous corner deliveries, Pity did a bit of everything, Frankly, his talent was wasted in this game as the players around him failed to play with the same quality.

Logan Dorsey (F) – 4/10

Another hard-working performance with little to show for Dorsey. He had one of the best chances of the night with his header in the 40th minute off of a cross from Aldair Sanchez, which was saved by the keeper – and shortly after, a good counter-attack where Dorsey set up Leo Afonso who failed to convert his opportunity.

Leo Afonso (F) – 5/10

Afonso had a third straight match of stuffing the stat sheet and creating lots of opportunities for himself or his teammates to score – with the only piece missing being that final ball. He did play a great through ball for Noah Fuson in the build up to our lone goal from Dwayne Atkinson.

Subs

Noah Fuson – 6/10

Fuson made a near-immediate impact as he subbed on and set up Dwayne Atkinson’s opening goal for Rhode Island FC with an excellent cutback cross. It’s not technically credited as an assist as it took a deflection off of a Miami player – but it should be.

Hamady Diop – 6/10

Diop returned from injury and showed us exactly what we’ve been missing without him. He was strong defensively, but more importantly, immediately and meaningfully improved the passing from our backline as soon as he came on. In fact, it’s Diop who starts the move leading to Busy’s opening goal for Rhode Island.

Dwayne Atkinson – 6/10

No sub’s impact was more immediate than Busy, whose literal first touch of the game (if I’m not mistaken) was blasting the ball into the back of the Miami net. Great finish.

Jamin Gogo Peters – 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.