PRONUNCIATION:
POSITION: Defender
BIRTHDATE: Aug. 20, 1999
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 178
HOMETOWN: New York, N.Y.
YOUTH CLUB: New York Soccer Club
PREVIOUS TEAMS: NYCFC (MLS), NYCFC II (MLSN), Loudoun United FC (USLC), Orlando City SC (MLS), Georgetown University (NCAA)
PROFILE
Following a successful 25-day contract, Rio Hope-Gund was officially signed by Rhode Island FC on May 1, 2025 after spending two seasons with MLS Next Pro club New York City FC II. The New York native made 33 appearances with NYCFC’s reserves over two seasons, tallying one assist and logging more than 2,800 minutes. Prior to his time in the Empire State, Hope-Gund was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Major League Soccer side Orlando CIty SC before moving to USL Championship side Loudoun United FC in 2022. The defender made his professional debut for Loudoun on March 12, 2022, captaining the team to a 1-0 win over Indy Eleven. He went on to make 18 starts in 20 appearances for the club before moving back to his home state. Before signing his first professional deal, Hope-Gund enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Georgetown University. In three seasons, Hope-Gund made 32 starts in 44 appearances, helping the Hoyas to the two-straight Big East Regular Season and Tournament titles in 2018 and 2019, as well as the first National Championship in program history. Playing as part of a back line that kept 13 shutouts in 2019, Hope-Gund played every minute of the National Championship game, collecting an assist in a dramatic 3-3 draw that saw Georgetown take the title in a penalty shootout over top-seeded seed Virginia. In 2020, he was named the Big East Defender of the Year and was selected to the All-Big East First Team.