SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (3-9-4, 18 pts.) were victorious 3-0 over El Paso Locomotive FC (3-3-11, 12 pts.) on Wednesday.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 4,000.

Tonight's XI 👊 #RIFCvsELP | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/1AALhPhrpo

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 26, 2024

The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of Frank Nodarse (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Kofi Twumasi (right). The midfield consisted of Jojea Kwizera (left) Marc Ybarra (left center mid), Joe Brito (central), Clay Holstad (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Albert Dikwa (left) and JJ Williams (right).

Rhode Island had 3 players out due to injury. They included Grant Stoneman (Leg), Gabriel Alves (leg) and Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee).

The boys in Bay Blue 👊#StartingXI | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/m6FSDOBPCJ

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 26, 2024

The match kicked off with RIFC starting from the center circle and quickly launching the ball forward into El Paso’s defensive third.

RIFC had the first moment of the match in the 3rd minute when Frank Nodarse’s shot was met with a stellar kick-save by El Paso goalkeeper #1 Ramón Pasquel.

Entering the 21st minute, RIFC took the lead.

🇷🇼 👉 🇨🇲 👉 🥅

Reigning Championship Player of the Year @DikwaAlbert gives @RhodeIslandFC the lead at home! 😤 pic.twitter.com/Sn1iOQKVHo

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) June 27, 2024

Following a cross by Jojea Kwizera, the ball was met with a tap-in finish by unmarked forward Albert Dikwa for the 1-0 advantage.

Entering the 27th minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Another game, another goal for Kwizera ✌️

Jojea doubles our lead! pic.twitter.com/KW3ByJF3NQ

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 27, 2024

Midfielder Jojea Kwizera took the ball from midfield, drove into the box toward the left-flank, turned centrally and elected for a shot into the bottom right corner for the 2-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, El Paso midfielder #6 Erik Calvillo was issued a yellow card.

El Paso’s first major moment came in the 34th minute when forward #18 Tumi Moshobane’s shot was parried wide by goalkeeper Jackson Lee.

After the initial 45+3 minutes, RIFC entered halftime ahead 2-0.

A fun first half 😤

45 more minutes to go! pic.twitter.com/4vCXTMlVYW

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 27, 2024

Prior to the start of the second half, El Paso head coach Wílmer Cabrera made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #20 Jeremy Garay with #10 Amando Moreno.

The second half began with El Paso kicking off from the center circle and quickly playing the ball into the RIFC defensive third.

RIFC had the first moment of the second half when Kofi Twumasi’s header in the 49th minute was met with a spectacular save by goalkeeper #1 Ramón Pasquel.

Just two minutes later, in 51st minute, RIFC defender Kofi Twumasi was issued a yellow card.

In the 55th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing Kofi Twumasi with Conor McGlynn.

Just 5 minutes later, El Paso head coach Wílmer Cabrera made his second and third changes of the match by replacing forward #17 Ricardo Zacarías and midfielder #21 Bolu Akinyode with forward #9 Justin Dhillon and midfielder #27 Petar Petrović.

Shutout secured ✅

Jackson Lee's first half save earns this week's @CentrevilleBank Save of the Match!#WickedGoodSave | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/Bl8Ia02i86

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 27, 2024

RIFC’s next chance came in the 66th minute when Stephen Turnbull’s effort was met with a deflection by defender #15 Noah Dollenmayer.

In the 70th minute, RIFC defender #15 Frank Nodarse was issued a yellow card.

Less than one minute later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing Joe Brito with Isaac Angking. El Paso head coach Wílmer Cabrera made his fourth and fifth changes of the match by replacing forward #18 Tumi Moshobane and defender #5 Eder Borelli with forward #7 Joaquín Rivas and defender #31 Nick Hinds.

In the 80th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third and fourth change of the match by replacing Stephen Turnbull and Jojea Kwizera with Noah Fuson and Collin Smith.

Five minutes later, entering the 85th minute, RIFC midfielder #28 Conor McGlynn was issued a yellow card.

Just two minutes later, in the 87th minute, El Paso midfielder #6 Erik Calvillo was issued his second yellow card of the match for slide tackling Collin Smith. El Paso would play the remainder of the match with 10-men.

Entering the 90+1 minute, RIFC added to their lead once again.

Back-to-back matches with a goal for @NoahFuson, and @RhodeIslandFC is cruising! 🚗 pic.twitter.com/fe9IZ4Hfey

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) June 27, 2024

Forward Noah Fuson received a through-ball by Isaac Angking and drove down the left flank all the way into the box for a right footed shot into the bottom right corner for the 3-goal advantage.

After the 90+4 minutes, RIFC held on for the 3-0 victory.

THREE GOALS. THREE POINTS. THREE STRAIGHT GAMES UNBEATEN. pic.twitter.com/zgfICoIg1s

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 27, 2024

This is Rhode Island FC’s first career victory at home in the USL Championship. They currently are on a 3-game unbeaten streak.

With the result, RIFC move to 9th place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

RIFC Logo. Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC.

Rhode Island FC (3-9-4, 18 pts. in USL Championship) remain home to face Eastern Conference side Indy Eleven (9-2-5, 29 pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off on Friday, July 5th at 7:30p.m. EST on ESPN+.