The Prematch Lookout: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Rhode Island FC - 8/15/2026

Rhode Island FC are back on the road this weekend as they're headed to Al Lang to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The two teams played at Tidewater earlier this season and each earned a point in a 1-1 draw. Pedro Dolabella scored in the first half for the Rowdies but JJ Williams got an 86th minute equalizer for RIFC. It was a pretty even game overall and the draw was probably the "right" result. As for Saturday's game, here's what you need to know:

Last Time Out

RIFC got a 2-0 win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks last Saturday at Tidewater. Second half goals from Yutaro Tsukada and JJ Williams proved the be the difference. It was a good win for two main reasons: the first being that the Switchbacks are a really good team and the second is that RIFC got one over on the team that beat us in the 2024 USL Championship Final.

Players to Watch

Frank Nodarse (CB)

• Frank has been a very important part of the RIFC back line lately, especially with Karifa Yao and Hamady Diop missing time. He's been on a tear with great performances in each of his last four games. Frank will need to continue playing at his best against a very potent attack in Tampa Bay

Yutaro Tsukada (FW)

• It's the third Prematch blog in a row that I'm highlighting Yutaro. The first was because I was hoping he'd be available against Birmingham (he ended up coming off the bench late) and then last week I was expecting him to start against Colorado Springs (he did and got the winning goal). He said in the press conference after last week's win that Khano Smith told him the team needed a left winger who could take players on and provide service for JJ Williams. While Yutaro ended up crashing the box and getting a goal for himself, he also showed promise out wide. I can't wait to see how he continues to gel with the rest of the attack

Osman Foyo (FW)

• Like Yutaro a couple weeks ago, we got to see Foyo in a jersey the Thursday before the game. After waiting for a passport/visa for what seemed like ages (it wasn't actually that long), I'm glad to see Osman has joined up with the team. I'm going to take the team's social media post to mean that he'll be in the squad on Saturday but we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully he gets a late cameo off the bench at least

Storyline

Play the Best teams Tough

JJ Williams recently reiterated something he's been saying for the past couple of seasons: RIFC can compete with anyone in the league and they often play well against the best teams. This is evidenced by pretty good records/overall performances against teams like Lou City and Charleston over the past 3 years. While it's frustrating that the team hasn't had the consistency to come out and dominate some of the lesser competition in the league (see Sporting Jax in the season opener for example), conversely it's great to see that the team can usually pay the best teams close at least. It's what has lead to RIFC's success in the playoffs over the past two seasons. And they'll need to be at their best against on Saturday night.

Last Time Out

The Rowdies were away at Orange County (top of the Western Conference) last weekend and also played on Wednesday night in the USL Cup at home against Louisville City. Against Orange County, the Rowdies easily handled their business on their way to a 3-0 win. MD Myers, Marco Micaletto, and Karsen Henderlong provided the goals. As for the cup game against Lou City, it was a frustrating 0-0 draw that ended with the Rowdies going out on penalties 5-3.

Players to Watch

Sebastian Cruz (MF)

• Cruz has been one of Tampa Bay's best players this season after making the move up to the Championship from League One AV Alta, where he spent 2025. He's a versatile player who is usually seen either centrally in the midfield or wide on the right. Cruz didn't have a great game midweek against Louisville so much like the rest of his team, he'll be looking to bounce back on Saturday

Russell Cicerone (FW)

• I wrote about Cicerone for the Prematch back in May before these teams met but I have to talk about him again. He's such a dangerous player in wide areas and has 6 goals and 2 assists so far this season. In a pretty stacked Tampa Bay squad, the 31 year old still stands out

MD Myers (FW)

• I also wrote about Myers in that blog earlier this season but he also must be mentioned here. He leads the Rowdies with 13 goal contributions (9 goals and 4 assists). Myers has proven this year that he can take the mantle as the main man up front after sharing the striker role with Cal Jennings in 2025 and Nick Markanich in 2024 while in Charleston

Storyline

Full Focus on the League

After bowing out on penalties in the USL Cup this week, the Rowdies can now fully turn their focus onto the league. They have every chance of completely running away with the Player's Shield, especially after taking down Orange County and building a 7 point gap.

It's been a remarkable season so far for Tampa Bay. There was a little bit of uncertainty after what was basically a complete rebuild of the squad this past offseason. We've seen teams spend money to bring in multiple big signings and yet massively underachieve (see Lexington this season so far). But head coach Dom Casciato has gotten it done for the Rowdies and it's really no surprise. Casciato had a lot of success in League One with Union Omaha and he was always going to move up to the Championship. The fact that the Rowdies have only lost 2 games this season though is a surprise. I didn't think the team would be this good this quickly.

Prediction

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-2 Rhode Island FC

Yes I know, an easy cop-out prediction. But I'm just calling it like I see it. The Rowdies are really good and as I just pointed out, have only lost twice this season. Their attack is also the second best in the league in goals per game. So despite RIFC being on a really good defensive run lately, I think it'll be hard to keep the Rowdies out. However, I have growing confidence in RIFC's attack. Not that I ever thought it was an issue this season, but bringing in Tsukada and now Foyo into the fold should really strengthen the team. I can see another goal contribution for Tsukada on Saturday, perhaps an assist for JJ. Regardless, this should be a great one.

For obvious reasons, this is a game I'm really looking forward to. It's always exciting to see the boys against a top team and that's what we'll have here. Per usual, I'll be back here with the Riptide Report after the game to give my thoughts. Until then, as always I leave you with...UP THE TIDE!