Rhode Island FC have a quick turnaround as they head to Hartford on Saturday for the Jägermeister Prinx Tires USL Cup.  Can we take a moment to talk about this name change?  Has there ever been a bigger downgrade than going from Jägermeister to Prinx Tires?  I hope the USL got some decent money for this, but I’m not holding my breath. 

As for what this tournament actually is, I feel like it makes sense to do a quick overview before getting into Saturday’s match.  I would just link to a blog explaining it, but I was too busy enjoying time off in the offseason to write one.  Live look at current me looking back at offseason me:

The format this year is the 42 teams in the Championship and League One have been put into 7 groups based on geography.  Each team plays 4 group games and the 7 winners of each group along with the single best 2nd place team advance to the knockouts.  RIFC are in group 5 along with Westchester SC, New York Cosmos, and Portland Hearts of Pine of League One and Hartford and Brooklyn of the Championship.  Saturday’s game in Hartford will be followed by an away trip to Portland and home games against Westchester and Brooklyn over the next couple months. 

It’s always one game at a time however, so let’s take a look at what to expect on Saturday.

Last Time Out

RIFC head into this one having blown away the Charleston Battery 4-0 on Wednesday night.  JJ Williams provided a brace to go along with goals from Jojea Kwizera and Dwayne Atkinson.  The win pushed the vibes to a season high.  But is there anything that will carry over into Saturday?

I think the big takeaway was just how clinical RIFC were in front of goal.  It’s a huge difference from 2025.  JJ is playing at his best and working well with the other attackers around him.  It’s something that I think they can continue to do moving forward regardless of the type of game they find themselves in.

Players to Watch

• Karifa Yao (DF)
  • I think Karifa has gone a bit under the radar this season with other players stepping up and grabbing the headlines.  But he’s been part of an RIFC back line that has only conceded 2 goals in their last 5 games
• Jojea Kwizera (RW)
  • Kwizera leads the team with 3 league goals this season, 2 of which have come in his last 3 games.  He’s looked like a completely different player this year and is a big reason RIFC have looked much better going forward so far this season
• JJ Williams (FW)
  • There’s just no way I could leave JJ out of this.  He has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 5 games in all competitions.  He’s looked unstoppable as of late and should be a handful for Hartford to contend with

Key to the Game

Make Hartford Break You Down

There’s been some discourse about RIFC’s style of play and whether it’s better to be possession based or to look to hit teams on the counter.  In the long run, I think it’s always better to try to control games through having more of the ball.  But there are certain matchups where it’s ok to let your opponent have more possession.  This is one of them.  When these two teams last met, RIFC had 41% possession.  It worked in their favor because Hartford aren’t comfortable on the ball.  They struggle to break opponents down.  If RIFC can make this game play out in a similar way, they’ll have a great chance of winning.

Last Time Out

Hartford come into this game having drawn 0-0 at home with Loudoun United last Saturday.  It was a mostly even game, with a slight advantage to Hartford for having better chances to score. 

The bigger story is Hartford’s recent form.  This draw means they haven’t won in their last 5 games in all competitions.  And perhaps even worse, Hartford haven’t scored in their last 4.  It’s a stretch that includes a 2-0 loss to RIFC in the Open Cup and a 4-0 loss to El Paso to go along with two 0-0 draws. 

Players to Watch

• Antony Siaha (GK)
  • The main villain of this rivalry, Siaha will be mentioned in every blog involving these two teams.  He didn’t play in the last meeting with RIFC, as Enzo Carvalho got the start in the Open Cup.  I’d be surprised if Brendan Burke decides to start Carvalho in this cup though
• Adrian Diz Pe (DF)
  • The veteran Cuban defender has arguably been Hartford’s best player this season.  He’s the best player in a back 3 that no longer has its leader Joseph Farrell, who retired after last season
• Sebastian Anderson (WB)
  • Anderson leads his team in chances created with 10.  Despite this, he only has 1 assist so far this year.  Hartford will be hoping he can continue to be dangerous down the right wing and they can find ways to convert on his crosses

Key to the Game

Quick Transitions

I have to be honest here.  I didn’t go back to look at what I put for Hartford’s key the last time these two teams met.  But I’m fairly certain it’s the same thing.  What can I say though?  It’s very obvious how Hartford prefer to play.  They’re at their best when they have less of the ball and can create turnovers.  They lead the league in interceptions per match and are 22nd in accurate passes per match.  Their only route to success is to cut off passing lanes and quickly get the ball forward against an unsettled back line.  Hartford will need to ensure the game is played in their style if they want a chance at winning.

Analysis and Prediction

These are two teams whose recent form couldn’t be more different.  As mentioned already, Hartford haven’t won in their last 5 games.  Conversely, RIFC’s only loss in their last 5 came on penalties to an MLS side.  In addition to recent form, RIFC also have an advantage based on the last meeting between the teams earlier this month.  Although Hartford started a heavily rotated 11, I still think Khano’s formula for success that he found in that match will carry over against a more full strength Hartford side.

Final Thoughts

Derby days are always something special no matter how many times they happen.  We saw 5 meetings between these two teams over our first two seasons and are already on our second of 2026 with two more to come.  When I saw the schedule, I was initially concerned about oversaturation.  But I’m just as pumped for this one as any other meeting between the teams.

I’ll be back here after the game with the Riptide Report for a quick reaction to the result.  As always, Timmy will have his player ratings as well and the postmatch pod will be there Sunday night.  Until next time, UP THE TIDE!