The season did not end the way RIFC wanted, but their is much to be excited about if you are a fan of the amber and blue. The Colorado Switfhback's put a damper on the mood in the USL Championship game as they defeated the Anchors convincingly 3-0. Despite the disappointing end of the season Rhode Island had an impressive run to the USL Championship game with 3 improbable road wins, with 2 at fortresses Lou City and Charleston Battery on their way to Eastern Conference Supremacy.
After Mustering up only 1 win out of their first 14 league matches, their is no way that anyone had RIFC making a run to the USL Championship Final, which was last weekend in Colorado Springs.
The man responsible for the astonishing turnaround was manager Khano Smith, after all, this was Smith's first sniff as a first team coach. Smith began his managerial career as an assistant at Southern New Hampshire University. He then went on to assist the Orlando Pride of the NWSL and Birmingham Legion, fellow USL Championship foe.
The belief and togetherness that Coach Smith was able to instill in the team and keep them believing is none other than remarkable. As we have seen with our local MLS outfit that when things go bad, they unravel to an abysmal degree. Nevertheless, Smith kept the boys believing and helped resurrect and push his players to new heights.
Noah Fuson is blessed with a bundle of talent and ability. Fuson began his pro career in Wisconsin playing for USL 1 side Forward Madison. After a successful stint in the cheese head state, Noah wound up signing with Columbus Crew 2. He did not have the type of statistical return he had hoped for and his stay for Crew was short lived.
Fuson flourished in Rhode Island in 2024. He led the USL Championship with 10 assists and also scored 9 goals, earning himself USL Championship 2nd team honors.
A major signing for the Anchors in the off-season was JJ Williams. Williams a known USL Championship commodity came to Rhode Island after successful USL stops in Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Birmingham, and Tulsa. Williams started a bit slow but was unstoppable at the end of the '24 campaign and he earned Player of the month honors for October. Williams was the teams top joint goal scorer with last year's USL Championship Golden Boot winner Albert Dikwa who bagged 11 goals this past season.
Unsung heroes Clay Holstad, Frank Nodarse and Jojea Kwizera also had fantastic seasons for RIFC. Holstad and his several wonder goals brought RIFC 's faithful out of their seats several times this past season. Imposing defender Frank Nodarse was not only a towering physical presence in the back, he was also Rhode Island's most dangerous man in the air and tallied some memorable bullet header goals. Who can forget Jojea Kwizera's darting wing runs at the opponents midfielders and defenders usually resulting in a goal contribution or at the very least a chance created.
Perhaps the best story was that of Zachary Herivaux. Herivaux has been battling injury the last few USL seasons and found his form again in 2024. Herivaux was named USL Championship players choice comeback player of the year.
You could go on and on in regards to player contributions for Rhode Island. You don't make a championship run without players fulfilling a role for the greater good of the team. Isaac Angking had a couple goals off the bench in key spots, Goalkeeper Koke Vegas turned out to be as good as advertised, and so on.
Kudos to the RIFC ownership, and big, big kudos to The Defiance, RIFC's stellar Supporters. The Defiance has taken Supporters culture here in New England by storm and will continue to be the premier fanbase in New England.
With Tidewater landing opening up in 2025 The amber and blue will be a hot destination here in New England to watch Footy. Year 1 was a resounding success for RIFC and I for one cannot wait to see how this journey evolves in Year 2!
Photos Courtesy of RIFC's Instagram page
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