Rhode Island FC Offseason Tracker - 2026 Season

With RIFC's second season in the books, we now turn our collective attention to the offseason. This tracker will be used as a central hub for info on roster moves, team news and larger USL thoughts if deemed useful.

Roster Announcement

The official 2026 Roster Update was released on December 3, 2025.

The following players will be returning to Rhode Island FC for the 2026 USL Championship campaign as part of already agreed upon contracts:

• Grant Stoneman
• Albert Dikwa “Chico” - transfered to Pittsburgh Riverhounds
• Noah Fuson
• Clay Holstad
• Frank Nodarse
• Maxi Rodriguez - transfered to Detroit City FC
• Karifa Yao
• Aimé Mabika - mutually agreed to part ways with the club
• Hamady Diop
• Mathieu Ndongo - transferred to Miami FC
• Aldair Sanchez
• Hugo Bacharach
• Zachary Herivaux
• Dwayne Atkinson
• Dani Rovira
• Jojea Kwizera - has signed multi-year contract extension

Options exercised, returning for 2026:

• Koke Vegas
• Amos Shapiro-Thompson
• JJ Williams 
• Kevin Vang

*Options declined:

• Cole Dewhurst
• Will Meyer - has re-signed with the club
• Isaac Angking - tore ACL in pre-season
• Taimu Okiyoshi

Returning to parent club:

• N/A

*Out of contract:

• Joe Brito (retired)
• Marc Ybarra - announced that he will not be returning to RIFC
  • Signed with Las Vegas
• Rio Hope-Gund - signed with Detroit City FC
• Jackson Lee - signed with Brooklyn FC

*Discussions are ongoing with multiple players out of contract or who had options declined about a possible return for the 2026 season.

Timmy breaks down Tide Talk's initial reaction to the news

Incomings:

• RIFC make Leo Afonso their first signing of 2026. Ryan breaks down the signing here.
• Rhode Island FC Signs Defender Nick Scardina For 2026 Season. Read Timmy's early impressions here.
• Rhode Island FC replenishes the goalkeeping unit with the addition of Jacob Castro the For 2026 Season. Read Andrew's reaction to the signing here.
• Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Agustín “Pity” Rodríguez on Loan For 2026 Season. Hands shares his thoughts here.
• Rhode Island FC Signs Former Brown University Forward Jamin Gogo Peters. Timmy shares some thoughts on the signing here.
• Rhode Island FC Signs Former Boston College Defender CJ Williams. Hands shares his thoughts here.

Outgoings:

• 12/19/25 - Maxi Rodriguez heads back to Detroit
  • Ryan breaks down our reaction here.
• 1/9/26 - Albert “Chico” Dikwa returns to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
  • Timmy shares his thoughts here.
• 1/16/26 - RIFC and Aimé Mabika agree to mutually part ways
  • Ryan shares his thoughts here.
• 1/28/26 - Marc Ybarra Signs with the Las Vegas Lights
  • Ryan shares his thoughts here.
• 2/14/26 - Rhode Island FC Transfers Forward Mathieu Ndongo to Miami FC
  • Tyler shares his thoughts here.

RIFC News:

• 12/2/25 - Joe Brito Announces Retirement From Professional Soccer
• 12/3/25 - Rhode Island FC Re-Signs Midfielder Jojea Kwizera to Multi-Year Contract
• 12/11/25 - Rhode Island FC Kicks Off The 2026 Season March 7 at 2:30PM in Pawtucket
• 12/11/25 - Amos Shapiro Thompson is Nominated for USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year
• 12/16/25 - Rhode Island FC Announces 2026 Schedule
  • Timmy reacts to the schedule here
• 1/15/26 - Rhode Island FC Re-Signs Goalkeeper Will Meyer For 2026 Season
• 1/15/26 - Rhode Island FC Announces Kickoff Times for 2026 USL Championship Season
• 1/27/26 - Rhode Island FC to Host CD Faialense in First Round of 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
• 2/13/26 - Rhode Island FC Announce President David Peart is leaving the club
  • Ryan's reaction here

USL News:

• 12/4/25 - USL Announces League's Participation in U.S. Open Cup
• 12/10/25 - USL Championship Announces Competition Format for 2026 Season
• 12/16/25 - Prinx Tires named entitlement partner of USL Cup
• 1/27/26 - USL Announces D1 Name and Details
  • RIFC Chairman and Co-Owner Brett Johnson's Reaction Here