SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (5-10-4, 24 pts.) were victorious 3-1 over Birmingham Legion FC (8-3-8, 27 pts.) on Wednesday night.

The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.

How we're kicking off at Protective Stadium 💪 pic.twitter.com/vnEwiMCG0y

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 17, 2024

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

Rhode Island had 4 players out due to injury. They included Gabriel Alves (leg), Kofi Twumasi (leg), Nate Silveira (head) and Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee).

Tonight's Health Report presented by @Ortho_RI ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/o80nyDCD3Z

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 17, 2024

The match kicked off with Birmingham Legion starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.

Less than 1 minute into the match, RIFC took a 1-0 lead.

First minute, first goal.

Noah Fuson gets us on the board first 🤩 #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/AsOUFyT03m

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 18, 2024

Midfielder Stephen Turnbull took a throw-in to find forward Albert Dikwa, who then laid it off to midfielder Noah Fuson for the first goal of the match.

In the 7th minute, RIFC forward Albert Dikwa was issued a yellow card.

Birmingham’s first moment came in the 10th minute when a corner kick delivery was headed by defender #21 Alex Crognale and saved away for a corner kick by Koke Vegas.

Just 3 minutes later, RIFC midfielder Marc Ybarra was issued a yellow card.

Birmingham’s next chance came in the 17th minute when forward #11 Dawson McCartney’s effort struck the crossbar and ricocheted over the bar.

In the 31st minute, Birmingham Legion defender #21 Alex Crognale was issued a yellow card.

RIFC’s next chance came in the 33rd minute when Albert Dikwa’s chance hit the side netting.

Just 5 minutes later, Birmingham Legion’s #11 Dawson McCartney’s effort was met with a stellar diving stop by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

After the initial 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with RIFC ahead 1-0.

First 45 down. pic.twitter.com/KQJnDJAqEX

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 18, 2024

The second half kicked off with RIFC starting in the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into Birmingham’s defensive third.

Entering the 50th minute, Birmingham levelled the match.

What a response from Prosper Kasim!!! 😱#USLonCBS | @ATT pic.twitter.com/9waKEgRnjx

— Birmingham Legion FC (@bhmlegion) July 18, 2024

Birmingham midfielder #11 Dawson McCartney’s found forward #10 Prosper Kasim for a top-left corner finish to level the scoreline at 1-1.

Birmingham’s next chance came in the 53rd minute when defender #14 Derek Dodson’s effort was deflected away for a corner kick.

In the 59th minute, Birmingham Legion head coach Tom Soehn made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #11 Dawson McCartney with forward #23 Tabort Preston.

RIFC’s next chance came in the 61st minute when Karifa Yao’s close-range effort was blocked away for a corner kick.

Just two minutes later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change by replacing midfielder Clay Holstad with midfielder Zachary Herivaux. This is Herivaux’s 100th USL Championship appearance.

Less than 1 minute later, Birmingham Legion head coach Tom Soehn made his second change of the match by replacing defender #4 Ramiz Hamouda with defender #20 A.J. Paterson.

Entering the 68th minute, RIFC regained the lead.

𝐙𝐀𝐂𝐇 🟰 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 💥@ZHerivaux100 of @RhodeIslandFC has been named tonight's #PrinxTiresUSA Most Valuable Performer!#USLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Hm1eiBNwRd

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) July 18, 2024

Forward JJ Williams managed to find midfielder Zachary Herivaux with a back-heel to tee-up Herivaux for a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner to take the 2-1 lead against his former club.

In the 72nd minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third change by replacing forward JJ Williams with midfielder Joe Brito.

Entering the 77th minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Deux for Herivaux ✌️ #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/fHSwIRili6

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 18, 2024

Midfielder Stephen Turnbull laid the ball kindly for midfielder Zachary Herivaux for a right-footed shot into the middle right corner of the goal for his second of the game off the bench.

In the 78th minute, Birmingham Legion defender #20 A.J. Paterson was issued a yellow card.

Following the yellow card, Birmingham Legion head coach Tom Soehn made final two changes of the match by replacing forward #10 Prosper Kasim and midfielder #13 Jake Rufe with midfielder #28 Miguel Perez and defender #33 Moses Nyarko.

Birmingham’s next chance came entering the 83rd minute when forward #23 Tabort Preston’s shot struck the outside of the net.

In the 84th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final two changes of the match by replacing forward Albert Dikwa and midfielder Jojea Kwizera with forward Mark Doyle and defender Collin Smith.

After the 90+7 minutes, the match concluded with RIFC winning the match 3-1.

🎶 Three points in Alabama 🎶 #WickedGoodSoccer | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/LTMzyumzth

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 18, 2024

With the result, RIFC move up to 8th place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

RIFC Logo. Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC.

Rhode Island FC (5-10-4, 25 pts. in USL Championship) return home to face Eastern Conference side North Carolina FC (5-7-6, 22 pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off on Saturday, July 27th at 7:30p.m. EST on ESPN+.