Rhode Island FC played to a scoreless draw in rainy Hartford on Saturday night, before claiming the “bonus point” through victory in a penalty shootout (4-3) to end the match.

Rhode Island made six changes to its starting lineup from Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Charleston, while Hartford had the luxury of repeating the same XI from their 0-0 draw with Loudoun last weekend.

It was a triumphant night for Rhode Island FC. I have to start with the traveling support – at this point, Hartford is a piece of cake (about 90 minutes from Pawtucket), but I was still impressed with the number of fans who showed up. Shame on me for ever doubting us in that regard.

The relationship between the fans, the players, the staff, and the front office was truly on display through a variety of different interactions throughout the night. The scenes after Yao’s game-sealing penalty kick were some of the best moments we’ve had as a fanbase.

Hartford fans will say we celebrated this like it was a cup final – an exceedingly low-effort dig that has been beaten into the ground across the football world. In any event, I’ll wear that as a badge of honor, they wouldn’t be wrong; I certainly did. This game has massive implications for who will ultimately proceed to the knockout stage in this tournament. It’s a big result.

I do want to specifically thank the team staff who traveled, set up, and coordinated the tailgate area for Rhode Island fans and also represented (or, respectfully, to an extent – babysat) us at the game. They all did a fantastic job and are just good, nice people. Wherever they’re pulling the chicken tendies from for these Hartford tailgates… WELL. DONE. Truly excellent.

Rhode Island FC left with two points and all kinds of goodwill after a disappointing (3-0) loss last time out at Hartford.

Click below if you’re interested in seeing 2026 player historical ratings.

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) – 8/10

I can’t speak highly enough about Koke after this game. During regulation, the biggest question asked of him was a curling free kick destined for the top right corner in second half stoppage time, which he was positioned well to get both hands to. He made another great save earlier in the match, tipping a headed chance over the bar.

In the penalty shootout, Koke was a mental giant as he saved Barry Coffey’s first penalty attempt – got whistled for leaving his line too early – and then SAVED IT AGAIN. Penalties are a mental game more than anything, and this singular moment is almost surely what gave our team the confidence to go on and win it.

Lastly – I’ve already mentioned the special relationship between the players and the fans. Koke is the heart of that relationship. No other player wears the passion, the intensity, and the desire to win quite like Koke does.

Aldair Sanchez (D) – 6/10

Aldair has played in every single match for us except our season opener on March 14th, and has played the full 90 (or 120) minutes in all except for two. He’s logged a lot of minutes this month.

That didn’t stop him from playing with his usual intensity and quality in Hartford – Aldair had a low cross flash all the way across the front of Hartford’s goal in the first half, another dangerous cross that pulled Siaha off his line in the second half, and a block in the 78th minute to stop another dangerous chance. Another end-to-end absolute shift from Aldair.

Grant Stoneman (D) – 7/10

Stoneman is having a very good start to the season, and has transitioned perfectly into a rotation role with this team. He’s still seeing regular action, but not required to play a full 90 minutes every game, and he seems to be benefitting from it as he’s hardly set a foot wrong during those appearances (including this one).

Karifa Yao (D) – 8/10

Yao was our most important player on the night alongside Koke. Exactly as we’re accustomed to, Yao handled the bulk of defending inside our box as he led all players with 12 clearances. He made an absolutely crucial defensive intervention – chasing back and making an inch-perfect sliding tackle to stop Ngalina, who was through on goal.

Finally – Karifa Yao buried the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout. I’m sorry Mr. Yao, I owe you an apology – I was not familiar with (this part of) your game.

Nick Scardina (D) – 7/10

Nicky the Fish had big shoes to fill at the right back position after the performances that Frank has been putting in, and he was absolutely up to the task. Scardina not only provided cover for Kwizera ahead of him, but was integral to both build up and attacking play, with a team-high 14 passes into the final third, and three chances created. Scardina got so high up the pitch at times that he had a touch in the box to set up a very good Leo Afonso chance in the second half.

Scardina progressed the ball 137m with his dribbling in this match – the next highest player, Dwayne Atkinson, progressed it 49m… so, Scardina progressed the ball nearly three times more than the next highest Rhode Island player.

Frankly, I was a bit concerned when Scardina walked up to the penalty spot – but he slotted it home with precision and confidence.

Clay Holstad (MF) – 6/10

It wasn’t as busy of a defensive performance from Clay as we’ve seen recently, but that’s partially because Hartford didn’t play much through the middle. We did see Clay further up the pitch and more involved in the attacking third in this match – including three total shots. Two of them weren’t particularly close to the net (we all know Clay has a lifetime-license to shoot these), but he had a great chance, set up by Noah, in the 35th minute that nearly gave us the lead.

Zach Herivaux (MF) – 7/10

Very good from Zach in his first start since picking up an injury in our season opener on March 14th. It was a typical high-energy, high-work rate performance in the midfield. Surprisingly, Zach picked up more of the defensive responsibilities (freeing Clay up to get forward, as mentioned above) as he led the team with three tackles and nine duels won in just 57 minutes of work.

Noah Fuson (MF) – 6/10

I liked the way that Noah approached his role as the number 10 in this match – often drifting out wide for some of his signature link up play with midfielders and the wide attacking players – but admittedly lacked some effectiveness.

Some time around the 30th minute, Andrew and I looked at each other and mutually asked… has Noah been out there the entire time? In his defense, there was not a whole lot of attacking going on in that early period for Rhode Island – and Noah did finish the game with three chances created.

His best moment of the night was a crafty touch to get himself into the Hartford box, before laying it off to Clay for our best chance of the first half.

Dwayne Atkinson (F) – 5/10

There were flashes, but ultimately I’d still like to see more from Busy. It’s perhaps most glaring right now, as his opposite-side wing (Kwizera) is brimming with confidence at the moment – but I don’t get the same feeling that “something could be coming” here when Atkinson gets the ball out on the wing.

I’m happy to see Busy continue getting some kind of consistent minutes, so that he can build that confidence up.

Logan Dorsey (F) – 4/10

Respectfully, I just haven’t seen enough to get excited about here. There’s absolutely no doubt that Logan works hard – but, outside of the home opener – I don’t have much confidence in the team scoring while he’s out there.

Jojea Kwizera (F) – 6/10

Truly a victim of his own success – Kwizera is in such good form right now that I would call his performance last night “decent”, despite leading all players with four chances created. I would’ve killed to have this version of Kwizera last year, whereas last night I left thinking “nice one, no goal tonight?”

Kwizera was first, after Koke, over to the fans to celebrate – and has really developed into one of my absolute favorite personalities on the team. He’s on track to have an amazing season, and I can’t wait to see more.

Subs

Hugo Bacharach – 5/10

Hugo played well, but wasn’t hugely involved in his 33 minutes, as the ball was spending a lot of time on our wings and with our attacking players. He’s got a crafty little bumper pass that he likes to play from the top of the opponents box that always seems to generate dangerous chances for Rhode Island

Having his penalty saved was unfortunate – it wasn’t a great attempt – but these things happen and we got the result, nonetheless.

Leo Afonso – 6/10

Leo had the benefit of coming on in the second half, shortly before Pity and JJ came on, and the attack looked much more dangerous from there until the end of the match. Leo provided good balance on the wing with Jojea Kwizera on the opposite side, and linked up nicely with Aldair Sanchez on overlapping runs.

Pity Rodriguez – 5/10

Not his most impactful substitute appearance, but Pity was the only attacking player to take a penalty, and it was clinical.

JJ Williams – 6/10

With a little bit more time, I think the goal was coming – JJ looked hungry starving from the minute that he came on. We weren’t bad in the first half, but the team looks entirely different once JJ shows up – likely (among other reasons) because he draws more attention than Dorsey, providing more space and freedom to our other attacking players.

Hamady Diop – 6/10

Another great penalty for Diop, after he opened up the shootout against the Revs with a goal, as well. For whatever reason, our defenders are very comfortable and capable in the penalty shootout, and it starts with Diop.

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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.