Rhode Island FC returns to Centreville Bank Stadium on Saturday after a two-week road trip as it gets ready for a rematch of the 2024 USL Championship Final against Western Conference Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at 7:30 pm. RIFC is looking to bounce back after its 1-0 loss to Birmingham Legion FC snapped its two-game winning run. The Ocean State Club will aim to beat the Switchbacks for the first time in its club history on Saturday after falling in the 2024 USL Championship Final. Ahead of Un Verano Con RIFC night, here is everything you need to know.
AT A GLANCE
Date | Saturday, August 8
Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET
Location | Centreville Bank Stadium – Pawtucket, R.I.
Broadcast | myRITV, ESPN Select
Radio | 790 The Score (WPRV 790 AM)
Digital | WPRI 12+ App
Social | @rhodeislandfc (X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
Game Hashtag | #RIvsCOS
Last Meeting | November 23, 2024: COS 3-0 RI – USL Championship Final – Colorado Springs, Colo.
COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): 1-Christian Herrera, 22-Colin Shutler, 30-Sam Jones, 52-Leo Styduhar^
DEFENDERS (7): 2-Kisa Kiingi, 5-Matt Mahoney, 12-Isaiah Foster, 14-Duke Lacroix, 23-Garven Metusala, 24-Talen Maples, 97-Patrick Burner
MIDFIELDERS (9): 6-Sam Williams*, 8-Frank Daroma, 13-Stevie Echevarria, 18-Aidan Rocha, 20-Yosuke Hanya, 21-Tyreek Magee, 37-Brennan Creek, 51-Dane Valenti^, 80-Devon “Speedy” Williams
FORWARDS (6): 7-Jonas Fjeldberg, 10-Adrien Perez, 17-Sadam Masereka, 27-Juan Tejada, 43-Griffin Price^, 90-Khori Bennett
*On loan for 2026 Season
^Academy Contract
Last Time Out
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is coming off a matchup against New Mexico United on Aug.1, where it fell 1-0 after conceding a goal in the 51st minute, snapping its three-game win streak in the regular season. Despite taking 11 shots before the break, Colorado Springs was not able to open the scoring within the first 45 minutes. Soon after halftime, New Mexico’s Cristian Nava broke the deadlock, scoring the go-ahead goal. After 45 more minutes of a hard-fought game, Colorado Springs could not tie the game despite taking 10 more shots and 30 touches inside the box in the second half alone. The Switchbacks dominated the statsheet, beating out New Mexico in shots (21-6), shots inside the box (11-3), and touches inside the opposition box (37-9), but could not convert a shot. Forwards Jonas Fjeldberg and Sadam Masereka led the way with six shots and four shots respectively.
Getting Back on Track
Before losing to New Mexico United, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC had put together a strong collection of wins at the mid-way point of the season. Over its last five regular season games prior to the New Mexico loss, it held an impressive 4W-1L-0T record, including three-straight wins. In that five-game span, Colorado Springs out-scored its opponents 10-5, keeping one clean sheet. Despite the loss vs. New Mexico, it is still 3W-2L-0T in its last five regular-season games, surging at the right time to improve its table standing. It currently sits as the seven seed in the Western Conference standings with an overall regular season record of 7W-6L-4T.
League-Leading Bennett
Forward Khori Bennett is at the top of USL Championship with a league-high 11 goals on the season, tying with Detroit City FC’s Darren Smith. Adrien Pérez also is on the board at four goals, tied for 34th-best in the league. Most recently, Bennett shined in the 2-0 win over Miami FC on July 22, where he recorded a brace and was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 21. Bennett leads the team with 36 shots and has created 10 chances in 17 appearances this season. Bennett has played a consistent, dominating role for the Switchbacks and has already out-scored its leading goal scorer from last season. Bennett is chasing Hadji Barry’s record-setting 25 goals during the 2021 season for most goals scored in a season as a Switchback.
RHODE ISLAND FC
Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Koke Vegas, 13-Will Meyer, 29-Jacob Castro
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Dani Rovira, 3-Aldair Sanchez, 4-Hugo Bacharach, 5-Grant Stoneman, 15-Frank Nodarse, 22-Nick Scardina, 24-Karifa Yao, 25-CJ Williams, 32-Hamady Diop
MIDFIELDERS (7): 7-Dwayne Atkinson, 10-Agustín “Pity” Rodríguez, 12-Clay Holstad*, 17-Jojea Kwizera, 19-Kevin Vang, 21-Zachary Herivaux, 77-Amos Shapiro-Thompson
FORWARDS (4): 8-Leo Afonso, 9-JJ Williams, 11-Noah Fuson, 14-Yutaro Tsukada, 18-Osman Foyo, 20-Jamin Gogo Peters
*On loan for 2026 season
The Rematch
In RIFC’s historic inaugural season, it fell 3-0 in the USL Championship Final to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Nov. 23, 2024. In the two all-time matchups, both coming in 2024, Colorado Springs holds a 2W-0L-0T record over Rhode Island FC. The only other match up in the history of the two clubs came earlier that season on May 17, where Colorado Springs took a come-from-behind 3-1 win after falling behind 1-0 due to a 13th-minute Frank Nodarse goal. In the 2024 USL Championship Final, 22 minutes went by before the first goal was scored by Colorado Springs forward Juan Tejada. Just before the break, The Switchbacks added to its lead with another goal. Despite several chances for Rhode Island FC to cut into the deficit, it could not take advantage. Colorado took full control of the game in the 53rd minute, taking a 3-0 lead to secure the title. Saturday’s contest will mark the first-ever trip to Centreville Bank Stadium for the Switchbacks.
Tight Margins
Across all competitions, Rhode Island FC’s last six games have been decided by one goal or fewer. In these games, RIFC has notched five goals, and its opponents have also scored five. Rhode Island FC has also not scored more than one goal in a game since their 4-1 win over Loudoun United FC on June 13. In this span of games, its defense has been a bright spot, holding both Hartford Athletic and defending champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC scoreless in back-to-back 1-0 wins. Across all competitions this season, 14 games have either been ties or results ending in a one-goal difference.
New Additions
The matchup against Birmingham Legion FC marked the debut for Rhode Island FC’s recently acquired forward Yutaro Tsukada. In the loss, he came in as a second half substitute at the 70th minute. Rhode Island FC acquired Tsukada on July 30 on loan from Major League Soccer club Orlando City SC. RIFC also recently signed forward Osman Foyo on July 23 from English Football League club AFC Wimbledon. Foyo is yet to make his RIFC debut. With the departure of Clay Holstad on loan to MLS club FC Dallas, the pair of additions has strengthened the squad’s talent and depth heading into a crucial juncture of the season.
