Rhode Island FC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville Player Ratings - 09/12/2026

Rhode Island FC took all three points on the road against Sporting Club Jacksonville with a convincing 3-0 victory on Saturday night.

To be clear, Sporting Club Jax is a team that we absolutely should be getting all three points from. We failed to do it in our season opener, but made amends with a strong performance in Jacksonville. We're also struggling badly on the road this year, with a record of 3-0-7 (in the bottom 25% of the league) leading into this match, which makes the dominant victory even more impressive.

I won't get carried away with beating the worst team in the league - but the result does put Rhode Island FC just two points out of fifth place (as we have the tiebreaker advantage over Hartford, currently) and with at least one game in hand over all six teams ahead of us.

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Rhode Island FC Player Ratings:

Koke Vegas (GK) - 7/10

Always love to see a clean sheet. Despite the dominant offensive performance, Koke had to make more saves than he's had to make in several weeks. His best of the night was a diving reaction save on a Jacksonville shot in first half stoppage time to maintain our one goal lead. He had to make four more saves in the second half (two from inside the box, and two from distance) and was positioned well to make all of them.

Jojea Kwizera (D) - 6/10

Kwizera started at left back - and did have a few shaky defensive moments early in the match - but spent most of the first half making overlapping runs in the attacking third and getting into space. He took on and beat his man countless times, though often failed to pick out a Rhode Island player in the aftermath.

In the 90th minute, Kwizera stepped up to the penalty spot - after Stas Korzeniowski won a foul inside the box - and gave the goalkeeper no chance to save it. Very well taken - much like Kwizera's penalty kick goal in Miami last season.

Frank Nodarse (D) - 6/10

There wasn't a tremendous amount of defending to do in this match. Nodarse played up to the standard of his current form (which has been excellent) and was reliable both on and off the ball. He led all players with 10 duels won, including a perfect 4/4 in the air.

Karifa Yao (D) - 5/10

A nondescript game for Yao, which is usually a good thing for a defender. There's still a little bit of rust coming off (evidenced by one or two of his passes flying straight out of bounds), but generally Karifa has slotted comfortably back into the team after an extended absence due to injury.

Nick Scardina (D) - 6/10

Defensively, Scardina was nearly flawless yet again. His services weren't required as heavily on offense as some matches, but he always knows when to take his chances and make a great run down the flank or cut inside. I've accused him of being too unselfish at times when he has the ball in a good position in the box - so I was happy to see him shoot (even if it was blocked) when the ball fell to his feet in the 24th minute.

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF) - 7/10

Late in the first half, Amos made an incredible sprint down the entire field to recover and stop a Jacksonville attacker who was in alone on goal. Amos somehow loses his inside position, still finds a way to get between the man and the goal, and battles for every single inch to get the ball all the way out to the corner flag (before ultimately winning a free kick). That's peak Amos.

Without his usual midfield partner in Hugo Bacharach, Amos took it upon himself to spray a couple of nice diagonal balls to the fullbacks to jumpstart our attack. In fact, Amos just barely trailed Grant Stoneman's game-high 16 passes into the final third, with 14 of his own.

Amos was also involved in some excellent build up play leading to Rhode Island's second goal - moving the ball quickly to Noah Fuson to play in the assist for Stas.

Grant Stoneman (MF) - 6/10

Stoneman was technically deployed as a midfielder, but essentially played as a third center back when Rhode Island had the ball (which was most of the match, until later on when Sporting Jax was chasing it). Like he often does from defense, Stoneman led all players with 16 passes into the final third. He also made one key defensive block in the first half, and another in the second, with both shots coming from dangerous positions.

Yutaro Tsukada (F) - 6/10

Not long after hitting the goal frame in the first half, Tsukada opened the scoring with the goal of the week (and a contender for goal of the season). Every once in a while, a player at this level scores a scrappy overhead kick that dribbles into the back of the net with a bunch of chaos happening elsewhere in front of goal. This was NOT an example of that. This was a clean, pure, bicycle kick, hit with great power and beautiful technique on the volley that sailed into the bottom left corner of the net. One of the best we've ever seen from a Rhode Island FC player.

In the run of play, I thought Tsukada was relatively underwhelming - but there's no denying that he had the best chances of the first half, and obviously the goal.

Leo Afonso (F) - 5/10

Afonso was serviceable again playing in the Number 10 role, but didn't jump off the pitch quite as much as last weekend in his "debut" at that position. I actually thought the deeper lying midfielders in AST and Stoneman did more to distribute the ball and create chances. Leo did have one good chance in the 19th minute, but unfortunately placed the shot right at the Jacksonville keeper.

Afonso does earn an assist for his cross to Yutaro Tsukada on the bicycle kick - but you can't give too much credit to the assist on a majestic finish like that.

Osman Foyo (F) - 6/10

Foyo was positive and continued to build on three encouraging substitute appearances. He showed repeatedly that he can beat his man and get into space and dangerous positions in and around the box (although mostly failed to turn them into true goal-scoring threats), and even had a couple of good moments off the ball with defensive efforts and ball recoveries.

Stas Korzeniowski (F) - 7/10

I found Stas to be under-serviced in this match, but looked absolutely lethal every time we got the ball to him. First, he won a free kick at the edge of the box after a beautiful turn in the 27th minute. There was certainly a penalty shout but, for me, I didn't see enough of a foul there to be upset about it. Of course, he was awarded a penalty after more great play in and around the box, in the 87th minute.

He made an inch-perfect run (to receive a great ball from Noah Fuson) to score on a fast break in the 63rd minute. He made it look easy, but it was a very clinical, composed finish. For some reason, I had a confidence that Stas was going to bag this chance that I certainly never felt with Dikwa, and not even quite sure I ever felt it with JJ.

In his few other opportunities around goal, I was impressed with his ability to create space for himself and/or get off tight angle shots with a surprising amount of power behind them. We really just need to keep feeding this man.

Subs

Noah Fuson - 6/10

Exactly what we want to see from 2024's Golden Playmaker - he entered the match in the 57th minute, and within six minutes played a great through ball for Stas Korzeniowski to play him in on goal. Noah took one light touch, picked up his head and played a perfect ball for Stas to chase down into space.

Aldair Sanchez - 5/10

Perfect substitution, bringing on reliable defending for the last 30 minutes of the match.

Zach Herivaux - N/A

Our first time seeing Zach Herivaux since before the break for the World Cup! He wasn't involved a whole lot, but there were one or two moments where his quality - especially in build up play - was on display.

Dwayne Atkinson - 5/10

Busy played about 15 minutes, and at least got himself in to position to have two decent shots. One was straight at the keeper but came from a good run by Busy, and at least forced a save. Then in second half stoppage time he sent a left-footed shot wide.

Eric Klein - 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.