Rhode Island FC goes on the road for its first-ever USL Championship away match when it takes on Monterey Bay F.C. Get ready for the interconference matchup with everything you need to know about Rhode Island FC vs. Monterey Bay F.C.
AT A GLANCE
Date | Sunday, March 24
Kickoff | 6:00 PM ET
Location | Cardinale Stadium on the campus of CSU Monterey Bay in Seaside, Calif.
Broadcast | NESN, ESPN+
Radio | SiriusXM FC Channel 157
Social | @rhodeislandfc (X, Instagram, Facebook)
Match Hashtag | #MBvRI
ROSTERS
Rhode Island FC
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Koke Vegas, 22-Jackson Lee, 30-Nate Silveira
DEFENDERS (6): 2-Nathan Messer, 3-Stephen Turnbull, 5-Grant Stoneman, 15-Frank Nodarse, 16-Gabriel Alves, 24-Karifa Yao
MIDFIELDERS (9): 7-Prince Saydee, 12-Clay Holstad, 17-Jojea Kwizera, 18-Joe Brito, 19-Kevin Vang, 21-Kofi Twumasi, 23-Marc Ybarra, 28-Conor McGlynn, 77-Amos Shapiro-Thompson
FORWARDS (4): 9-JJ Williams, 10-Chico, 11-Noah Fuson, 14-Mark Doyle
Monterey Bay F.C.
GOALKEEPERS (2): 16-Anthony Siaha, 21-Carlos Herrera
DEFENDERS (6): 3-Morey Doner, 4-Alex Lara, 5-Carlos Guzmán, 12-Grant Robinson, 24-Max Glasser, 30-Kai Greene
MIDFIELDERS (7): 7-Adrian Rebollar, 10-Rafael Baca, 11-Walmer Martínez, 13-Mobi Fehr, 14-Miguel Guerrero, 32-Pierce Gallaway, 99-Xavi Gnaulati
FORWARDS (7): 6-Ryan Dieter, 9-Tristan Trager, 15-Alex Dixon, 17-Luther Archimède, 19-Jesus “Choy” Enríquez, 20-Anthony Orendain, 31-Chase Boone
SCOUTING MONTEREY BAY F.C.
Last Match
Monterey Bay F.C. (1W-0L-1D) defeated reigning USL Championship Final winners Phoenix Rising FC at home on March 16 in a 1-0 shutout. Midfielder Rafael Baca scored the match-winner, slamming it in off an Adrian Rebollar pass. Goalkeeper Anthony Siaha recorded three saves and collected his first clean sheet of the season.
2023 Season Recap
The team from the Golden State had a tough outing last season with an 11-15-8 record in its second USL Championship season. Monterey Bay initially got off to a strong start with a 7-4-5 record, but the club was unable to sustain its early momentum and wound up finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and missing the playoffs. Forward Alex Dixon led the team with 12 goals in 2023 and will look to continue that success to help his team make a run at the playoffs in 2024.
Players to Watch
One of two goal scorers for Monterey Bay so far this season, Baca is clearly a key player to take note of. When he’s not burying match-winners, Baca’s defensive ability is also strong. The 34-year-old recorded seven tackles, five clearances and four interceptions while winning 10 of his 12 duels through the Union’s first two matches. Baca’s standout performances earned him USL Championship Player of the Week honors for Week 2. In Monterey Bay’s first match of the season at El Paso Locomotive FC, forward Tristan Trager provided much needed late-match heroics for the visitors. Trager’s give-and-go blast in the 87th minute provided the match-tying score to secure a point on the road.
At the Head of it All
The Seaside, California squad is led by Head Coach Frank Yallop. With over 40 years of coaching experience, Yallop is a more than decorated veteran coach. The former Canadian National Team Head Coach won multiple MLS Cup titles with the San Jose Earthquakes and earned multiple MLS Coach of the Year honors. After the club’s 1-1 draw on the road in El Paso and first victory over Phoenix Rising in club history last week, Yallop was named USL Championship Coach of the Week.
A UNITED OCEAN STATE
Last Match
Rhode Island FC kicked off its historic season Saturday with a 1-1 draw against New Mexico United at home. As the match creeped deeper into second half stoppage time, RIFC refused to give up despite being down by a goal. The squad’s relentless effort would end up paying historic dividends as second half substitute Mark Doyle charged the box and forced New Mexico United defender Christopher Gloster to misdirect RIFC forward Noah Fuson’s whipping cross into his own net. Rhode Island FC was arguably the better side in the match, forcing a single-match career high nine saves from goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.
Creating Opportunities
Against New Mexico United, Rhode Island FC was highly effective in controlling the match and creating scoring opportunities. The homeside outshot New Mexico 21-9, with nine of those on target. Multiple attempts off the woodwork kept a roaring and anxious Beirne Stadium on its toes. RIFC eventually pressed for the opportunity it needed with Doyle leading the charge to secure the first point in club history.
Player to Watch
Clay Holstad had a standout performance in the draw against New Mexico. The Birmingham, Alabama native recorded four shots, two of which struck the post, and an impressive 78 percent passing accuracy. Holstad’s strong USL Championship debut led to a Team of the Week selection. Holstad became the first Rhode Island FC player in club history to earn the league’s top honors.
Leading the Charge
Despite a never-say-die attitude, Rhode Island FC’s home opener appeared to be ending in favor of New Mexico as the match headed into second half stoppage time. But RIFC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith’s late-match decision making would prove to be the difference maker. Bringing on Doyle in the 87th, as well as second-half supersubs Prince Saydee and Gabriel Alves, Smith stuck to his game plan and empowered his players to create chances. A true leader on and off the pitch, Smith is building something special in Rhode Island and will continue that effort on Sunday in Monterey Bay.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Experience matchday on the road with fellow RIFC fans and supporters at Providence Brewing Company, Rhode Island FC’s Official Watch Party destination, as the club takes on Monterey Bay F.C. this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Celebrate soccer and community!
Can’t make it? Watch the match live on NESN or ESPN+, or listen on SiriusXM FC Channel 157.
NEXT HOME MATCH
Limited tickets remain for Rhode Island FC’s second home match of the season when the club hosts 2023 Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. Fans hoping to not miss out on Rhode Island FC’s next home match are encouraged to act quickly by securing their seats at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets. The complete 2024 USL Championship season schedule is available at rhodeislandfc.com/2024-schedule.