Rhode Island FC vs. Monterey Bay FC Player Ratings - 08/22/2026

Rhode Island FC secured another three points at home with a 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC on Saturday night.

With the recent outgoing loan move for Clay Holstad and the imminent departure of JJ Williams, this felt like the dawn of a new era for Rhode Island FC. I'm happy to report that, while acknowledging that Monterey Bay are an absolutely putrid team, Rhode Island FC put together one of their most complete wins of the season.

Our offense has been so JJ-centric this season that it was fair of fans to wonder, "where are the goals going to come from?" in his absence. Leo Afonso, Hugo Bacharach, and Grant Stoneman answered the call, but I thought the offense as a whole looked more dynamic, more creative, and more versatile without relying on long balls for JJ to hold up. Before we get carried away, let me say again - Monterey Bay is one of the worst teams in the league. I know my Tide Talk colleagues will tell me to take a cold shower, nonetheless.

One other not explicitly on-the-field thought: Purist snobs (usually that includes me) love to act like Folklore Night is an affront to football heritage. To them I say: loosen up a bit. This was our best crowd of the year so far, and probably the best atmosphere too. And it was one of the better games of last year, too. I know my wife has more fun at this game than any other game of the year. So, suck it up - you can tolerate hearing Taylor's music during pre-game and at half time, knowing that it makes for a better fan experience for lots of folks.

And no, I haven't completely lost my head: The wave still sucks.

Back to the game. Click below to see 2026 player historical ratings.

Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) - 5/10

Not much action at all for Koke, as Monterey Bay mustered just the one single shot on target. The goal conceded takes a deflection off one of our defenders on the way in, so nothing Koke can do about that.

Aldair Sanchez (D) - 5/10

A relatively uneventful, but characteristically solid performance from Aldair.

Frank Nodarse (D) - 8/10

This is the next player you should be worried about losing to an MLS or European team. Frank has quietly put together a monstrous run of games, especially since stepping into central defense for Karifa Yao about a month ago.

He did a little bit of everything tonight - won a game-high 11 duels, 11 defensive contributions, and he was winning the ball back all over the field - including in the attacking half. He was an aerial threat on set pieces, and even made a move to beat his man and get into the box with the ball at his feet.

Grant Stoneman (D) - 8/10

I thought Frank had a slightly better game overall than Grant - but Grant was right up there as well - and of course scored Rhode Island FC's third goal with a surprisingly clinical finish on a bouncing ball that he fired to the far post.

Like Nodarse, Stoneman had a massive defensive game, tied for a game-high 11 defensive contributions including seven clearances (some of these being pretty high-profile defensive interventions in the second half when we were fighting to secure the three points).

Nick Scardina (D) - 5/10

Similar to Aldair, there wasn't much threat from Monterey Bay down either wing, so it was a relatively comfortable and competent defensive showing from Scardina. Our forwards were clicking so well that it didn't require much from him in the offensive end, either.

Hugo Bacharach (MF) - 7/10

I feel like I need to buy Hugo dinner, considering the number of times he's bought mine already this season. I'm referring, of course, to Hugo's diving header into an open net to secure three points AND free Chick-Fil-A for the sold-out Tidewater crowd.

Goal aside, it was a dominant midfield performance from the Spaniard. Not only did he glide through the midfield repeatedly and spray the ball around like prime Luka Modric (97% passing accuracy, for the record), but he also broke up the relatively infrequent Monterey Bay attacks with ease - finishing the game with 10 defensive contributions.

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF) - 7/10

Amos was every bit as good in the midfield as Hugo - arguably even better at breaking up play and recovering the ball in dangerous positions (he finished the match with a team-high nine recoveries). There were times when Monterey Bay literally could not move the ball quick enough to escape Amos.

The culmination of his efforts comes just five minutes into the match, when his relentless pressing leads to a turnover that Amos pokes to Leo Afonso, waiting in the Monterey Box, who slots it home comfortably. It looks like Amos won't be credited with an assist for this goal, which is an absolute travesty.

Pity Rodriguez (MF) - 6/10

Surprise, surprise - put Pity back as a central attacking midfielder, and he looks significantly better than the last several weeks on the wing.

I continue to be impressed with Pity, even if the final product has not been there yet this season. He constantly displays his quality with his tight turns, technical dribbling, and using his body to shield the ball - but then the final touch or ball often lets him down. He had a great chance to score in the 17th minute, but the Monterey keeper did well to make a stop.

Yutaro Tsukada (F) - 6/10

Another solid performance from Tsukada in his fourth match for Rhode Island FC. I didn't think he showed too much in open play tonight, but continues to make us dangerous on set pieces; in the 49th minute, Tsukada has a decent effort on net from long range on a set piece. Not 20 minutes later, Tsukada puts in a corner kick (which maybe takes a flick off of a defender) and is headed into the net by Hugo Bacharach. Tsukada is technically credited with the assist here...

Leo Afonso (F) - 7/10

One of Afonso's best performances in a Rhode Island shirt. First, we have to take into account that he's being asked to fill the shoes of JJ Williams by playing as the striker in this match.

He answers the call almost immediately with a comfortable finish off of a turnover in the 5th minute. Afonso stays hungry and nearly scores again in the 21st minute. He had a couple more shots of his own throughout the game, and created two chances for his teammates.

As I've mentioned, I actually thought the whole offense looked a bit more dynamic and dangerous with Leo as one of three attackers playing in the center - rather than relying on JJ's gravity to open something up.

Jojea Kwizera (F) - 8/10

Kwizera must have been walking back to his locker wondering how he left this match without a goal or an assist. It was one of Kwizera's most threatening performances in a long time, as he created a game-high FIVE chances. He could easily have had an assist in the 21st minute on a great cross to Leo Afonso, and he SHOULD have had an assist in second half stoppage time with a low cross across the goal mouth to Osman Foyo. Kwizera also creates the team's third goal, but won't be credited with an assist because of the deflections it takes to get there.

Not only did he generate all of these chances, but Kwizera twice attempted his signature cut inside followed by a left-footed curling shot that narrowly missed the top corner both times as well.

Subs

Dwayne Atkinson - N/A

Noah Fuson - 6/10

There were some flashes. Noah is at his best when he's being creative, and he attempted a cheeky back-heel that nearly found Hugo Bacharach crashing into the box. Noah also combines with Jojea Kwizera to help set up the third goal, scored by Grant Stoneman.

Eric Klein - N/A

Klein did display some good passing range, when he sprayed an inch-perfect ball on a volley out to Busy (who failed to control it with his chest, and wasted the opportunity).

Osman Foyo - 6/10

The "long"-awaited debut of Osman Foyo. First of all - can confirm, he's a UNIT. Secondly, some may remember this debut by the tap-in that he missed in second half stoppage time - but I thought he was great, and made an immediate impact.

He looked mobile, capable of holding up play, and showed some flashes of skill and creativity in his game as well. He worked hard off the ball and nearly closed down the Monterey defenders more than once. He had two chances he certainly could have scored on - but one does lead to Stoneman's goal.

It was brief, but from what I saw... Foyo is capable of battling to be our starting Number 9. The only problem is, Afonso also looked great playing there tonight.

Daniel Rovira - N/A

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.