> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://tidetalkri.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Prematch Lookout: Hartford Athletic vs Rhode Island FC - 10/24/2026 - URL: https://tidetalkri.com/the-prematch-lookout-hartford-athletic-vs-rhode-island-fc-10-24-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-23T18:38:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-25T01:34:46.000Z - Author: Matt Hands - Tags: Blog, Hartford Athletic, Prematch Lookout It's hard to imagine that we're at the end of the 2026 season. But here we are. Game number 30\. RIFC are making the short trip to Connecticut to take on Hartford Athletic on Saturday night. When I first saw the game on RIFC's schedule, my hope was that it would be meaningless. Unfortunately, that was never going to be the case. I suppose it could be worse though. Both teams are in the playoffs and the result will only end up affecting seeding. Now is a good time to let you know that this isn't going to be a traditional pre-match blog. I could tell you it's because I had a great idea for switching it up but really it's because I procrastinated as usual and have been under the weather for the past couple days. So I'm just going to stick to the important stuff. Who wants to hear about Hartford's clown of a goalkeeper again anyway? ## **Head to Head** This will be the 9th meeting between the two teams in just 3 years. RIFC have won three times and Hartford have only won once. The other four games ended in draws. As for those draws, I am counting the two USL Cup games that went to penalties. Hartford won one shootout and RIFC won the other, so it doesn't really change all that much when you look at which team has had the advantage in the derby. It's worth noting that three of the eight matchups so far have taken place in Hartford and RIFC are yet to win there. The teams drew 1-1 in 2024, Hartford won 3-0 in 2025, and they drew 0-0 earlier this year in the USL Cup, when RIFC won the ensuing shootout. ## **Seeding Scenarios** It's time for one of my favorite pastimes: calculating tiebreakers and playoff scenarios. This year, it isn't actually too complicated heading into the last game of the season. But it isn't perfectly straightforward either. RIFC are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference but can potentially stay 6th, move up a spot to 5th, or drop to 7th by the end of Saturday night. Here's what you need to know for RIFC and where we could end up finishing based on Saturday's result: ### **RIFC Win** - 5th if Pittsburgh Riverhounds draw or lose against Birmingham Legion - 6th if Pittsburgh Riverhounds win against Birmingham Legion ### **RIFC Draw** - 5th if Pittsburgh Riverhounds lose against Birmingham Legion - 6th if Pittsburgh Riverhounds win or draw against Birmingham Legion ### **RIFC Lose** - 7th regardless of results elsewhere When it comes to who RIFC will play in the first round, the only certainty is that finishing 5th means a trip to Lynn Family Stadium to take on Louisville City. Louisville wrapped up the 4th spot on Wednesday night when they beat Sporting Jax 2-0\. As for finishing 6th or 7th, it depends on what happens with Detroit City FC and the Charleston Battery. Detroit City play at Louisville and Charleston host Indy Eleven on Saturday. Detroit currently occupy 2nd, meaning they'd play the 7th seed. However, Charleston are on the same number of points in 3rd, with Detroit having the tiebreaker. Simply put, if Charleston get a better result in their game on Saturday than Detroit do, Charleston would jump them into 2nd and Detroit would finish 3rd. So a trip to Louisville, Charleston, or Detroit are all in the cards still for RIFC. Regardless of the opponent, the game will be on Friday October 30th as all three teams have announced that date for their first round games. ## **Prediction** ### **Hartford Athletic 1-1 Rhode Island FC** I'm going to be conservative here and go with a draw. As I mentioned earlier, RIFC have never won in Hartford (in 90 minutes anyway). And Hartford do have a lot to play for. 5th is still open for them if they win depending on the Pittsburgh result. There's also some debate as to how much Khano Smith is going to put into this game. He'll of course say you always want to win, but with the possibility of a home playoff game gone after last weekend's devastating draw against Pittsburgh, he might be a little cautious with one eye next week's playoff game. A draw would likely mean RIFC remain in 6th and my prediction is that means a trip to Detroit. Despite the fact that Indy Eleven are fighting for their playoff lives and Louisville City have nothing to play for, I still think Charleston get a win at home against Indy and Detroit draw at Lousiville, meaning Charleston get 2nd and Detroit drop to 3rd. It isn't what I want to happen but it's just how I see it. Hopefully, like I usually am, I'm wrong. --- It's crazy to me that I'm near the end of my third season writing these blogs. For the most part, I do still enjoy doing them. And I definitely appreciate all of you who check them out. I'll be back here after the game as always with the [Riptide Report](https://tidetalkri.com/tag/the-riptide-report/) to go over my immediate thoughts. Until then, as always, UP THE TIDE!