RIFC advances to Round of 32......

RIFC did just enough to scrape by a fiesty Portland Hearts of Pine side Tuesday night by a score of 2-1 in Lewiston, Maine. Another huge crowd saw a 2nd USL Championship opponent put to the test by the Hearts.

Clay Holstad and Frank Nodarse were the goal scorers for RIFC. Holstad's goal came in the 34th minute from a perfect cross from Amos Shapiro-Thompson. Holstad was able to beat Hearts keeper Hunter Morse near post for the opening goal.

Nodarse scored 3 minutes later after a poor header clearance from Portland found the opportunistic foot of Nodarse who buried his shot bottom bins to double the RIFC lead.

Portland looked dangerous at times via the longball, but didn't have many chances to test RIFC keeper Jackson Lee up until the 75th minute. That is when Titus Washington left his imprint on the match. Washington beat Jackson Lee near post with a low left footed shot which left Lee in the mist of the chilly Maine night.

Post the Washington goal the game which had its fair share of rash challenges kicked off even more. Karifa Yao accumulated 2 yellows in a matter of minutes and got the sending off. Not to be outdone former MLS'er Mikey Lopez received his 2nd yellow in the 87th minute evening out the numbers at 10 apiece.

Portland nearly evened the match with a set piece straight off the training ground. Sub Nathaniel James took a left foot curler off of a ball from Evan Southern, which sent Jackson Lee into full aerial sprawl for the save of the night, which secured the W for RIFC.

This sets up a dream match up May 6th or 7th vs the New England Revolution at CBS@TL. The MLS side enters into the competition for the round of 32. Both fan bases have traded barbs back and forth for months in hopes of this fixture.