Rhode Island FC receives third defensive selection in four weeks after 2-0 win vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Aug. 11, 2026) – Rhode Island FC announced today that defender Frank Nodarse has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 23. The Cuban defender earns his second selection in four weeks after being named to the Team of the Week for Week 19/20, and played a critical role in leading RIFC to its third shutout win in four games vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday. JJ Williams, who scored the second goal in the 2-0 win, was also named to the Team of the Week bench.
Nodarse, who made his sixth-straight regular-season start on Saturday, led the team with three interceptions, seven clearances and nine duels won. He anchored a back line that has conceded just one goal in its last four games, leading the team to its seventh shutout of the season across all competitions. Nodarse was also critical in advancing the ball from defense to attack, leading the team with 31 of 39 passes completed and 61 total touches.
Williams, who was named to the Team of the Week bench, led the attack with five shots. He scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season across all competitions in second-half stoppage time, matching his single-season career high for RIFC with 13 games remaining in the regular season.
The selection marks the fourth weekly honor of the 2026 season for Nodarse and Williams, tying the team lead. The honor is the seventh of Nodarse’s RIFC career, and the club-leading eleventh of Williams’s RIFC career. The pair represent the 13th and 14th Rhode Island FC selections to the league’s best eleven through Week 23:
2026 USL Championship Regular Season: Team of the Week Selections
| WEEK | DATE | NAME | HONOR |
| 2 | 3/17/26 | Frank Nodarse | Team of the Week (Bench) |
| 3 | 3/24/26 | Jojea Kwizera | Team of the Week (Bench) |
| 5 | 4/7/26 | Frank Nodarse | Team of the Week |
| 8/9 | 5/5/26 | JJ Williams | Team of the Week (Bench) |
| 12 | 5/26/26 | JJ Williams | Team of the Week |
| 12 | 5/26/26 | Jojea Kwizera | Team of the Week |
| 12 | 5/26/26 | Nick Scardina | Team of the Week |
| 14/15 | 6/16/26 | Nick Scardina | Team of the Week |
| 14/15 | 6/16/26 | JJ Williams | Team of the Week |
| 19/20 | 7/21/26 | Frank Nodarse | Team of the Week |
| 19/20 | 7/21/26 | Jojea Kwizera | Team of the Week (Bench) |
| 21 | 7/29/26 | Hugo Bacharach | Team of the Week |
| 23 | 8/11/26 | Frank Nodarse | Team of the Week |
| 23 | 8/11/26 | JJ Williams | Team of the Week (Bench) |
Up next, Rhode Island FC will head down south for a meeting with the league-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NESN+ and ESPN Select. Following the Eastern Conference clash, the Ocean State club will return to Centreville Bank Stadium for Folklore Night on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Monterey Bay FC. Tickets to the next home game are available now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.
For Rhode Island FC news and updates, visit rhodeislandfc.com, subscribe to RIFC’s monthly newsletter, follow the club on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, X and LinkedIn, and download the official team app.
