The Prematch Lookout: Rhode Island FC vs Brooklyn FC - 7/11/2026

Rhode Island FC are back home at Tidewater this weekend as they're set to take on Brooklyn FC on Saturday night. It's the final group game of the USL Cup. We'll soon find out who advances to the knockout rounds and who will have their tournament end here. Here's what to look out for as we head into this one:

Last Time Out

RIFC lost 2-1 at Sacramento on Wednesday night. It was always going to be a tough game as they had to fly across the country on a short week. But the performance was sloppy. The team lacked the final ball going forward and were too open at the back. It'll be interesting to see if they can get back on track at home.

Players to Watch

Koke Vegas (GK)

• Koke had a bad game against Sacramento, there's no sugarcoating it. RIFC will need him to put that behind him, especially because we haven't seen either backup goalkeeper yet this year

Jojea Kwizera (FW)

• Jojea was on the bench to start against Sacramento. He did come in early in the second half but played mostly off the left. I'd like to see him start here and play on the right wing. That's where we get the best out of him

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF)

• Amos has run himself into the ground in these last two games. RIFC will likely need him to do so again on Saturday given recent injury issues in the squad. Amos also assisted each of the last two RIFC goals, both crosses for Hugo Bacharach to head in. His importance right now can't be overstated

Storyline

Will there be rotation?

The big question for RIFC heading into this one is whether or not we'll see some rotation in the squad. I think there are two things that point to yes: the short week and the current standings in the group. Even with RIFC's injury problems, you have to expect at least a few changes. I could see returning to a back four after trying out a back 5 on Wednesday, with Grant Stoneman moving into the midfield if Hugo is unable to go. He had an issue late in the game against Sacramento but I'm not sure if it was a cramp or something more. I could also see some changes in the attack and I'm actually starting to be in favor of throwing Kevin Vang out there as a number 10. We haven't seen enough production there from several other options. It's worth at least a try, especially given the fact that advancing to the next round is unlikely. In order to advance, RIFC will need to win and then hope that Westchester SC get an upset against Hartford. I'm not counting on it.

Last Time Out

Brooklyn were in Pittsburgh last Saturday and took down the Riverhounds 2-0. Christopher Olney scored in the 50th and Abdoulaye Kante got a second for Brooklyn in stoppage time to seal the win. There was also an altercation between the two goals that saw Brooklyn's Stefan Stojanovic and Pittsburgh's Albert Dikwa get sent off. In the bigger picture, Brooklyn have a 2-2-1 record over their last five games in all competitions with the loss coming against the league-topping Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Players to Watch

Lukas Burns (GK)

• Burns has started each of the last four games. It's been such a strange goalkeeping situation in Brooklyn this year. They started the season with 18 year old Kayne Rizanovich as their number 1 but he was quickly recalled by Minnesota United. Since then, Burns and Jackson Lee have both started multiple games. I'm going with Burns to start here but really it's anyone's guess

Tommy McNamara (MF)

• The veteran midfielder has been a mainstay for him team in the middle of the park. Before coming to the USL last season, he made over 100 appearances for the New England Revolution

Markus Anderson (FW)

• Anderson is quite simply Brooklyn's best player. He has 7 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this year, with 2 of those goals coming in the USL Cup. Whenever Brooklyn are getting forward, he's the guy to look for

Storyline

Can Brooklyn advance?

Brooklyn have a decent shot of advancing past the group stage if they can get a win on Saturday. A win would put them on 9 points and they could possibly move ahead of Hartford if they don't beat Westchester. But even if Brooklyn end up second in the group, they are in the best position to advance as the top second placed team (again, assuming they win Saturday). It's complicated, but basically most of the rest of the second placed teams are on 6 points, which means they can't better Brooklyn's 9. Interestingly, Charleston Battery and Charlotte Independence are both on 8 points at the top of group 6 but they play each other in the final game. That means the winner will get first and the best the other team can do is finish in second on 9 points. The key thing here is that the tiebreaker for that wildcard (best second placed team) is goals scored. Brooklyn currently have 8, thanks to their 3-0 win over the Cosmos and 5-1 win over Portland. Most of those other teams who could potentially equal Brooklyn's possible 9 points are on 6 goals or fewer. Union Omaha are the ones to be most worried about from a Brooklyn perspective though, as they have 7 goals scored and are playing a Forward Madison team that are last in their group. Hopefully this all wasn't too convoluted.

Prediction

Brooklyn FC 2-1 Rhode Island FC

I absolutely hate picking against RIFC. But given that the team is on short rest, has injury issues, and isn't likely to advance in this competition even with a win, I just don't see how they come out strong. Brooklyn on the other hand, as we've just seen, have a lot to play for. I could see Markus Anderson causing the RIFC back line a lot of problems, carrying his team to victory.

Up Next

I'll be back here after the game with the Riptide Report to give my quick takeaways. We'll also have the Postmatch Podcast on Sunday as well as Player Ratings. I am currently doubtful to make the game at Tidewater and will likely be listed on the availability report. Per sources, it's a knee issue that is currently day-to-day. I'll be sad to miss the game in person but I'll be there in spirit, blogging away as usual. Maybe I'll even blog from my phone just to keep the routine. Regardless of what happens though, I leave you with a hearty UP THE TIDE!