SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (6-10-4, 28 pts.) were victorious 2-1 versus North Carolina FC (5-8-7, 23 pts.) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The XI vs. NC 💪 pic.twitter.com/NaJhSWWfRv

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 27, 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).

The starters on this sunny Saturday ☀️ pic.twitter.com/DmQH96bToP

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

The match kicked off with Rhode Island starting from the center circle and advancing the ball into North Carolina’s defensive third.

North Carolina had the first chance of the match when a close-range bicycle kick attempt by defender #3 Paco Craig went just wide of the post.

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

RIFC’s first chance came in the 21st minute from a header by defender Frank Nodarse that was deflected and blocked away.

Rhode Island had yet another chance in the 25th minute when forward JJ Williams effort was put wide of the net.

Less than a minute later, Clay Holstad had an effort of his own for Rhode Island that was sent just over the bar.

Entering the 30th minute, North Carolina took the 1-0 advantage.

A lovely assist from @conway_evan and a brilliant strike from @_mikey4M puts @NorthCarolinaFC ahead in Rhode Island! 😎 pic.twitter.com/PJ2WBb7gZ1

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) July 28, 2024

Following a win in the midfield, the ball was lofted forward and headed down by midfielder #11 Evan Conway for midfielder #10 Mikey Maldanado to unleash a one-time shot into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

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

pic.twitter.com/YDDjg0bYBS

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 28, 2024

Prior to the start of the second half, North Carolina head coach John Bradford made his first change by replacing forward #8 Louis Perez with midfielder #44 Raheem Somersall.

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

North Carolina had the first chance of the half when forward #9 Oalex Anderson’s effort on an open net was blocked by Karifa Yao.

In the 60th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Marc Ybarra with midfielder Zachary Herivaux.

In the 65th minute, RIFC midfielder Jojea Kwizera was issued a yellow card.

RIFC’s next chance came in the 69th minute when forward JJ Williams effort was met with a fantastic diving stop by goalkeeper #1 Jake McGuire.

Just 1 minute later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing midfielder Stephen Turnbull with forward Mark Doyle.

In the 72nd minute, North Carolina midfielder #28 Shaft Brewer Jr. was issued a yellow card.

Entering the 74th minute, Rhode Island leveled the match.

Doyle gets it done 💪 #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/rAKFBDmu44

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 28, 2024

Midfielder Grant Stoneman’s long-distant effort struck the crossbar and fell kindly for the easy finish by forward Mark Doyle to level it 1-1.

Entering the 84th minute, Rhode Island took the lead.

Zach Herivaux. That's all.#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/nVrcCrKJHp

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 28, 2024

Midfielder Noah Fuson managed to slide the ball forward to midfielder Zachary Herivaux, who took two touches before unleashing a close-range right footed shot that went bar-down into the net to make it 2-1 to Rhode Island FC.

In the 86th minute, North Carolina head coach John Bradford made his second change of the match by replacing midfielder #17 Collin Martin with forward #10 Jaden Servania.

RIFC’s last chance came from an Albert Dikwa shot in the 87th minute that was saved comfortably by goalkeeper #1 Jake McGuire.

Just two minutes later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third change of the match by replacing forward Albert Dikwa with midfielder Isaac Angking. North Carolina head coach John Bradford also made his third change by replacing midfielder #15 Mikey Maldonado with midfielder #16 Rodrigo Da Costa.

Less than one minute later, North Carolina defender #2 Paco Craig was issued a yellow card.

Just two minutes later, RIFC midfielder Zachary Herivaux was issued a yellow card.

North Carolina had the last chance of the match in the 90+2 minute when forward #9 Oalex Anderson’s close-range shot was blocked away by goalkeeper Koke Vegas. The save was named “Save of the Match.”

Sealing the dub 🧤

This stop by Koke Vegas is your @CentrevilleBank Save of the Match!#WickedGoodSave | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/Htiflqc0uH

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 28, 2024

After the 90+5 minutes, the match concluded with RIFC holding onto the 2-1 comeback victory.

FOUGHT BACK FOR ALL THREE POINTS 🗣️ #WickedGoodWin | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/snBCGVO5Co

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 28, 2024

With the result, RIFC move to 7th place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

RIFC Logo. Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC.

Rhode Island FC (6-10-4, 28 pts.) are on the road to face Eastern Conference side Detroit City FC (8-4-5, 28 pts.) at Keyworth Stadium. The match kicks off on Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30p.m. EST on ESPN+.