Rhode Island FC ends its two-match road stretch on Saturday against Tampa Bay Rowdies. Each club will be looking for its first win of the young USL Championship season. Get prepared for this exciting Eastern Conference showdown with everything you need to know about Rhode Island FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies.
AT A GLANCE
Date | Saturday, March 30
Kickoff | 7:30 PM ET
Location | Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Broadcast | ESPN+
Social | @rhodeislandfc (X, Instagram, Facebook)
Match Hashtag | #TBvRI
ROSTERS
Rhode Island FC
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Koke Vegas, 22-Jackson Lee, 30-Nate Silveira
DEFENDERS (6): 2-Nathan Messer, 3-Stephen Turnbull, 4-Collin Smith, 5-Grant Stoneman, 15-Frank Nodarse, 16-Gabriel Alves, 24-Karifa Yao
MIDFIELDERS (9): 7-Prince Saydee, 12-Clay Holstad, 17-Jojea Kwizera, 18-Joe Brito, 19-Kevin Vang, 21-Kofi Twumasi, 23-Marc Ybarra, 28-Conor McGlynn, 77-Amos Shapiro-Thompson
FORWARDS (4): 9-JJ Williams, 10-Chico, 11-Noah Fuson, 14-Mark Doyle
Tampa Bay Rowdies
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Jordan Farr, 15-Phil Breno, 99-Taner Akin
DEFENDERS (4): 3-Forrest Lasso, 19-Freddy Kleemann, 33-Aaron Guillen, 42-Zane Bubb
MIDFIELDERS (13): 4-Lewis Hilton, 5-Joey Dezart, 8-Damian Rivera, 10-Leo Fernandes, 11-Blake Bodily, 14-Charlie Dennis, 17-Danny Crisostomo, 20-Nick Moon, 21-Zach Herivaux, 22-Jordan Doherty, 24-Nick Skubis, 27- Pacifique Niyongabire, 30- Amari Fowlkes
FORWARDS (4): 9-Manuel Arteaga, 16-Cristian Ortiz, 26-Cal Jennings, 98-Joshua Pérez
SIMILAR FATES
Tampa Bay Rowdies (0W-0L-2D) and Rhode Island FC (0W-0L-2D) have had very similar starts to the 2024 season. Tampa Bay opened its season with a 2-2 draw at San Antonio FC after losing the lead in heart-wrenching fashion towards the end of the match, similar to how RIFC allowed a late goal against Monterey Bay F.C. in its second match of the season. Tampa Bay’s second draw came last week in a 1-1 match against North Carolina FC, where the club’s lone goal was an own goal scored by North Carolina’s Mikey Maldonado. Showing an extreme parallel to Tampa Bay’s 1-1 result, RIFC’s inaugural match against New Mexico United also saw an own goal let in by the visiting team lead to a draw.
FROM ONE LOCKER ROOM TO TWO
RIFC’s Koke Vegas and Grant Stoneman, and Tampa Bay’s Blake Bodily and Nick Moon, all called San Diego home last season when they played together for San Diego Loyal SC. After the club unfortunately folded following the end of the 2023 season, players went their separate ways. Bodily and Moon made the journey to Florida while Vegas and Stoneman made history signing with Rhode Island FC for the club’s inaugural season. As destiny would have it, the paths of these four men will cross again when they meet opposing one another on the pitch in St. Petersburg.
7000+ MILES AND COUNTING
Going into only its third match of the season, Rhode Island FC is already quite the well-traveled club. After a road-trip itinerary to Monterey Bay, California, that racked up nearly 6000 miles, RIFC will sit in the skies for 1137 miles from T.F. Green International to Tampa International. Despite the time zone changes and heavy frequent flier mileage, Rhode Island FC focus remains on one thing: winning its first match in club history.
UNDEFEATED STREAKS
While Rhode Island FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies will both have three points in mind Saturday, the clubs also have undefeated streaks on the line. Just two matches into the 34-match USL Championship regular season slate, both teams are pushing to jump up in the Eastern Conference standings. For Tampa Bay, a win would be its first since the 2023 regular season finale. For RIFC, a win would solidify history.
STARS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Aaron Guillen looks to build upon the successful outing he had last week against North Carolina FC. Leading his club in passes with 79 distributions in the draw, the veteran defender likes to create opportunities for his teammates to make plays. In 2023, Guillen led Tampa Bay in passing with 1,712 total passes across 31 appearances, all starts, and 2,732 minutes. Also strong at maintaining possession, Guillen went six-for-six in duels last week in North Carolina.
Rhode Island FC
Continuing to showcase his playmaking abilities, Rhode Island FC striker Albert Dikwa “Chico” had a standout performance last week against Monterey Bay F.C. Chico scored the club’s two goals at Cardinals Stadium, one of which was unassisted, and recorded the first goal and brace in Rhode Island FC history. His outstanding play caught the eyes of the entire league as he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Chico will once again look to demonstrate his offensive prowess in the matchup Saturday against Tampa Bay.
LEADING THE CHARGE
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Robbie Neilson goes into Saturday’s match looking for his first victory as the Head Coach of Tampa Bay Rowdies. Neilson previously coached in the Scottish Premiership and EFL League Two. He won multiple Scottish Championships and earned three nominations as Scottish Manager of the Year. After taking over the Tampa Bay helm in November, Neilson brings a championship pedigree to the club, working to implement a winning strategy.
Rhode Island FC
RIFC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith has a similar goal to that of Neilson. Smith heads into his third match as the club’s leader and intends to bring home the first victory of the season for Rhode Island FC. In the club’s first two matches, RIFC has walked away without a loss. Smith continues to work with and develop his newly-formed squad and will look to add three points in the standings and give the Ocean State club its first-ever victory.
ANCHORED IN COMMUNITY
Can’t make it to Tampa Bay? Experience matchday on the road with fellow RIFC fans and supporters at the German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island, Rhode Island FC’s Official Watch Party destination, as the club faces off against Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN+. Support your club and celebrate with your community!
NEXT HOME MATCH
Limited tickets remain for Rhode Island FC’s second home match of the season when the club hosts 2023 Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. Fans hoping to not miss out on Rhode Island FC’s next home match are encouraged to act quickly by securing their seats at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets. The complete 2024 USL Championship season schedule is available at rhodeislandfc.com/2024-schedule.