August 7, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Rhode Island FC suffered its first loss in nearly two months on Wednesday, falling 1-0 to Indy Eleven at IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium. Despite a late offensive surge, the Ocean State club was unable to overcome a narrow first-half deficit, ending a club-record eight-game unbeaten streak.
Rhode Island FC’s first chance (6 W5 L11 D) came in the 18th minute, when a quick build-up play in the final third freed up Joe Britto on the right wing. Receiving a pass from JJ Williams, Britto slid a one-touch cross into the six-yard box to Mark Doyle, whose close-range effort forced a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Hunter Sulte on the line.
Indy Eleven (10W-7L-5D) scored first in the 34th minute, their second accurate shot of the game. The goal came when Sebastián Guenzatti volleyed a Laurence Wootton cross from inside the 18-yard box with his right foot, beating Jackson Lee to put the home team 1-0 ahead. Indy picked up the pace as the first half progressed, testing Jackson Lee with a total of nine shots, but RIFC held firm in defence and kept the game within one goal as the team entered the half.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Augustine Williams thought he had doubled Indy’s lead when he received a cutting pass through the RIFC defence in the penalty area, chipping the ball over Jackson Lee and into the back of the net before being flagged for offside. Six minutes later, RIFC began to apply pressure of their own when Frank Nodarse fired from inside the box after a dangerous set-piece, but his effort was saved for a corner.
The Ocean State club went inches ahead in the 75th minute when Nodarse headed in a corner from close range, forcing another save from Sulte on the line. Indy had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 87th minute when Williams was one-on-one with Jackson Lee, but the ensuing shot was tipped over the bar by Lee.
Despite a strong second half, with seven corners, 63% possession and 88 passes in the attacking half, RIFC were unable to replicate their recent success and suffered their first defeat since June 8 as the home side won 1-0, ending their club’s longest unbeaten run in eight games.
Rhode Island FC then return to their home ground, Bern Stadium, to face local rivals Hartford Athletic in their first-ever home derby on Saturday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the next home game are available now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.
Goal Scoring Summary
IND – Sebastian Guinzati (Lawrence Wootton), 34 min: Guinzati volleys home from inside the 18-yard box. RI 0, IND 1
Additional Notes
Colin Smith made his second start for Rhode Island FC in a new lineup that featured six changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Detroit City FC, and his first since the 1-1 draw with Hartford Athletic on June 1.
Connor McGlynn, Mark Doyle, Gabriel Alves, Joe Brito and Jackson Lee are five changes to the starting lineup, joining Smith.
The defeat was RIFC’s first clean sheet in nine games, and their first since a 2-0 loss to Detroit City FC on June 8.
The 1-0 defeat officially ended RIFC’s club-record eight-game unbeaten run, which was just one day shy of two months and was the fourth-longest in the USL Championship this season.
MAN OF THE GAME: MARK DOYLE
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