Rhode Island FC are at home again on Saturday and are set to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in what will be the fifth meeting between the two teams. The Rowdies won the first ever meeting 4-1 but RIFC have since gone on to win 3-1, 3-0 and 5-0. As we’ll soon see, it’s looking like it’ll be a great matchup at Tidewater this weekend. Here’s what to know about both teams heading into this one.

Last Time Out

It was a poor result last weekend for RIFC as they fell to Birmingham Legion 3-1.  And if the result was poor, the performance was abysmal.  RIFC’s defense felt nonexistent and the Legion punished them for it.  As for my big takeaway as we head into this weekend, it has to do with the starting 11.

I wrote in the last prematch blog that RIFC had a nailed on best 11.  I’m starting to think that maybe it wasn’t the best idea to put that in writing.  While one bad performance shouldn’t immediately change the best 11, I do wonder if Khano makes changes on Saturday.  I could see a couple happening and that’ll be my focus as far as what to look out for with the lineup.

Players to Watch

• Nick Scardina (DF)
  • Scardina is a player who I thought would have an immediate impact.  He hasn’t yet, but I do see him as a candidate to get a start on Saturday.  Both Hamady Diop and Karifa Yao didn’t have their best games at CB and I could see Scardina taking over for Frank Nodarse at RB and Frank moving to CB
• Zach Herivaux (MF)
  • Zach is another player I think could get a start, potentially replacing Hugo Bacharach.  For the record, I’m not fully in support of this.  But it is an option if Khano wants to shake things up and we know Khano loves Zach due to their history
• Noah Fuson (FW)
  • What is going on with Noah?  He wasn’t listed on the availability report but missed out on last weekend’s match completely.  I’m curious to see if he returns to the squad for Saturday.  I think if Khano does want to switch things up, Noah has to at least get on the bench

Key to the Game

Defensive Solidity

RIFC have conceded 11 goals in 7 league games so far this season.  That puts them on pace to concede 47 goals by the end of the year.  Compare that to 29 in 2025 and it’s a clear step back from the defense.  Admittedly, the numbers this year are a bit skewed with 7 of the 11 goals conceded coming in 2 games.  Still, it’s inarguable that RIFC need to be better.

Against Tampa Bay on Saturday, RIFC are likely to spend a lot of time defending.  The Rowdies are 5th in the league in average possession and 7th in big chances created.  Limiting defensive errors and frustrating the Rowdies attack will be vital.

Last Time Out

The Rowdies come into Saturday having won 1-0 over Indy Eleven last weekend.  Indy were able to defend well against Tampa Bay’s 68% possession but eventually the Rowdies found their breakthrough in the second half.  The real story though stretches beyond this one game.

Let’s just get this one out of the way: the Rowdies are the best team in the league.  They’re unbeaten so far this year with 5 wins and 2 draws in the Championship to go along with a win in the USL Cup.  And they’ve gotten here by being very good offensively (tied for 6th most goals scored) and by having the best defensive record (4 goals conceded).

Players to Watch

• Brian Schaefer (DF)
  • Schaefer arrived in Tampa Bay on loan from FC Cincinnati ahead of this season.  He’s quickly shown himself to be one of the best ball playing center backs in the league.  He’s a key part of the Rowdies build up whether it’s playing out from the back or going long
• Russell Cicerone (FW)
  • Cicerone has been a mainstay in the league for years and signed for the Rowdies this year after spending the past 3 seasons in Sacramento.  He leads the team in goal contributions with 4 (2 goals and 2 assists) and has started every league game this season
• MD Myers (FW)
  • Myers was a standout forward for the Charleston Battery the last two seasons with 14 goals in 2024 and 15 goals in 2025.  He was another huge signing for Tampa Bay this season and has 2 goals and 1 assist to his name so far

Key to the Game

Don’t Get Caught in Transition

Tampa Bay are almost guaranteed to have the lion’s share of possession on Saturday night.  They have the attacking talent to take advantage but I’m more focused on how they defend.  RIFC have found success in games where they have less of the ball because they’ve been able to spring quick attacks after winning possession.  Tampa Bay will need to be disciplined defensively to not get caught out.  If they can do that, it’ll go a long way towards continuing their unbeaten run.

Analysis and Prediction

With this being yet another game where RIFC will be looking to hit their opponent on the counter, I do have a bit of optimism despite last week’s result.  But don’t I always?  It’s rare I predict RIFC to lose and spoiler: I’m not predicting a loss here either.  Tampa Bay are a formidable opponent but I’m banking on RIFC bouncing back from last week with a much better performance.  Especially defensively.  So for that reason…

Final Thoughts

This is arguably RIFC’s toughest game so far this season, right up there with the trip to Louisville.  And that’s something I think we should be excited about.  I can’t wait to watch from my perch up in 205. 

I’ll be back here after the game with the Riptide Report to go over my thoughts.  And as always, we’ll have the postmatch pod Sunday night and Timmy will have player ratings.  Until then, UP THE TIDE!