Rhode Island FC returned from their three-week break with a 1-1 home draw to Western Conference-leading Orange County SC.

Much like the home draw against Sporting Jax to open the season, Rhode Island were significantly more dangerous than their opponents and probably deserved to take all three points. However – unlike Sporting Jax – this time, they did it against some of the best competition in the entire league.

It may be a familiar score line, but it is one of the team’s stronger performances of the season.

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

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) – 5/10

Koke conceded one (not his fault) and had no other saves to make. I thought he made a great save in the 18th minute to keep the game scoreless, but apparently it hit the crossbar?

Frank Nodarse (D) – 7/10

Frank was great on both sides of the ball, but I thought he was especially reliable defensively. He was a perfect 12-0 on his duels, and led all Rhode Island players with 11 defensive contributions. He tracked a late run during a transition moment for Orange County in the 66th minute and cut out a cutback pass to stop a very dangerous goalscoring chance.

Grant Stoneman (D) – 6/10

A quiet night is a good night for a defender – and Stoneman had just one defensive contribution and only 27 touches total. Orange County really failed to generate anything inside the Rhode Island box.

Karifa Yao (D) – 6/10

It was a similar story for Karifa Yao, who had 28 touches and only three defensive contributions. Two of his best defensive moments came in rapid succession in the second half at a time when Orange County was knocking on the door of our goal (and they did go on to score their lone goal moments later).

Nick Scardina (D) – 6/10

Scardina had the most touches in the opposition box (7) of all of our players, but couldn’t quite seal the deal in the final third. He also led all players with 12 passes into the final third – showing how crucial he is to our buildup and entry into the attacking zone. I was certain he’d won a penalty in the 90th minute, but after watching it back… I think the ref got it right.

Hugo Bacharach (MF) – 7/10

Hugo was in the mood to score tonight; first, he fired a header on a corner kick just barely over the cross bar in the 24th minute. He had a great, low shot from the top of the box in the 49th minute that goes wide left by mere inches. Then, finally, in the 51st minute, he gave Rhode Island a 1-0 lead with a headed goal on another set piece delivery from Amos Shapiro-Thompson.

I will be thinking of Hugo while I eat my free Chic-Fil-A Sandwich on Monday night. Thank you, Hugo.

Clay Holstad (MF) – 6/10

Clay was putting in a great shift before suffering an injury just before first half stoppage time. He finished the half but was clearly uncomfortable, and it was not surprising to see him make way for Leo Afonso in the second half.

If Clay is going to miss some time, I think the team needs to seriously considering bringing in another midfield player who can play the box-to-box, number 8 role (or in a double pivot with Hugo) – especially with Herivaux re-appearing on the availability report this week.

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF) – 7/10

One of Amos’ best performances going forward – which is usually my main knock against him. He was much more progressive with his passing than I can ever remember seeing, and he was clinical with it as well. He led all players with three chances created (with at least two – if not all three – of these coming from his dangerous corner deliveries, including the assist on Hugo’s second half goal).

Amos also makes a great run through the midfield on the final play of the game, and ends up with the ball back at his feet in the Orange County box. He got around the keeper with a chance to win the game, and flashed a great shot across the Orange County goal that goes just wide. It had a chance to go in on its own, but a simple tap-in would have secured all three points.

Jojea Kwizera (F) – 5/10

A relatively quiet night for Jojea – who spent too much of the night playing on the left for my taste. He spent a few minutes here and there on the right – where he’s been wildly effective – but the majority of his minutes were on the left. He didn’t exactly cover himself in glory on the Orange County goal – but it was also an individually brilliant play and I’m not sure there are many players who could’ve stopped it.

JJ Williams (F) – 4/10

JJ wasn’t great with the ball at his feet tonight, but the service to him really let him down – the places where he received the ball were not his usual wheelhouse, so it’s no surprise he wasn’t able to do much of anything with it.

Pity Rodriguez (F) – 6/10

Pity created the joint-most chances (3), but I thought was a bit disappointing with his contributions in the final third on the night. He was not the only player to struggle with this, but couldn’t seem to make an incisive or killer pass in or around the opponents box.

Subs

Leo Afonso – 4/10

Afonso had all three of his shot attempts blocked, and didn’t offer much going forward.

Noah Fuson – 5/10

Noah looked lively when he came on, but was ultimately unable to impact the game.

Dwayne Atkinson – N/A

Aldair Sanchez – 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.