Defender scored game-winning goal in 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Aug. 25, 2026) – Rhode Island FC announced today that defender Hugo Bacharach has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 25. The defender earned his second selection of the season after scoring the game-winning goal in RIFC’s 3-1 win over Monterey Bay FC, drilling a diving header to secure the Ocean State club’s third-straight win at Centreville Bank Stadium. Yutaro Tsukada, who earned his first career RIFC assist with the cross to Bacharach, was named to the Team of the Week bench.
With a critical game in the playoff race knotted at 1-1 in the 66th minute, Tsukada and Bacharach combined on a deadly corner kick to put RIFC in front. Tsukada’s corner kick stayed low and flew across the goalmouth, where Bacharach met the cross with a diving header at the back post. Bacharach’s goal was his third of the season, and fourth of his RIFC career, giving the hosts a lead that they never surrendered.
Bacharach also had a productive night on the defensive end, leading the team with three interceptions and winning three of five aerial duels. He also led the team with four successful dribbles, carrying the ball through the midfield and aiding Rhode Island FC’s transition attack. He finished the night with a 100 percent dribble completion rate and 100 percent pass accuracy in the final third, enjoying a productive appearance on both ends of the ball.
The selection marks the second weekly honor of the 2026 season for Bacharach, and the third of his RIFC career. Bacharach is RIFC’s fourth defensive selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week in the last six weeks. Tsukada’s selection to the bench was the first of his RIFC career. The pair represent the 15th and 16th Rhode Island FC selections to the league’s best eleven through Week 25:
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) |
| 25 | 8/25/26 | Hugo Bacharach | Team of the Week |
| 25 | 8/25/26 | Yutaro Tsukada | Team of the Week (Bench) |
Up next, Rhode Island FC will travel to FC Tulsa on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET. RIFC will then return to Centreville Bank Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5 to host Louisville City FC at 7:30 p.m. ET for Military Appreciation Night. 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.
