SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (8-13-7, 37 pts.) fell 1-0 versus the Orange County SC (8-11-9, 35 pts.) on Saturday.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California to a crowd of 4,500.

The XI at OC 👊 pic.twitter.com/19LWFMa5j4

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) September 15, 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 Grant Stoneman (right). The midfield consisted of Gabriel Alves (left) Marc Ybarra (left center mid), Jack Panayotou(central), Zachary Herivaux (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Albert Dikwa (left) and Noah Fuson (right).

Rhode Island had 3 players out due to injury. Koke Vegas (personal reasons), Morris Duggan (lower body), and Isaac Angking (R-ACL)

RI boys out west 🫡 pic.twitter.com/srDJsNLvYp

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) September 15, 2024

The match began with RIFC starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into Orange County’s defensive third.

RIFC had the first chance of the match in the 8th minute when Jack Panayotou’s shot was saved by goalkeeper #1 Colin Shutler.

RIFC had yet another chance in the 17th minute when Stephen Turnbull’s effort was met with two amazing saves by goalkeeper #1 Colin Shutler.

Goalkeeper Colin Shutler came up big once again in the 24th minute when stopping Albert Dikwa from close range.

Entering the 30th minute, Orange County took the lead.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 🎱@brycejamz fires @orangecountysc ahead! pic.twitter.com/XxSkt3J769

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 15, 2024

Forward #11 Bryce Jamison’s effort was buried in the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 to Orange County SC.

RIFC had yet another chance in the 37th minute when Noah Fuson’s effort went just wide of the net.

In the 44th minute, Orange County defender #5 Dillon Powers was issued a yellow card.

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

pic.twitter.com/PIsIgMaspg

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) September 15, 2024

The second half began with Orange County starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.

Orange County had the first moment of the second half just two minutes in when forward #11 Bryce Jamison’s effort went just wide.

RIFC’s first chance came in the 53rd minute when Albert Dikwa’s effort was saved by goalkeeper #1 Colin Shutler and deflected off the crossbar and away.

In the 59th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Gabriel Alves with midfielder Jojea Kwizera.

Just four minutes later, Orange City head coach Danny Stone made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #23 Ryan Doghman with midfielder #19 Kevin Partida.

The stage is set 👊#ForCounty | #OCvRI pic.twitter.com/DaObPNX9XI

— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) September 15, 2024

Albert Dikwa had yet another solid opportunity in the 68th minute when his effort was met with a diving catch save by goalkeeper #1 Colin Shutler.

In the 70th minute, both teams made changes. Orange County replaced midfielder #8 Seth Casiple and defender #13 Pedro Guimares with defender #14 Ryan Flood and midfielder #35 Benjamin Norris. RIFC replaced forwards Noah Fuson and Albert Dikwa with midfielder Joe Brito and forward JJ Williams.

In the 76th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made two more changes by replacing defender Grant Stoneman and midfielder Zachary Herivaux with midfielder Clay Holstad and forward Mark Doyle.

Just two minutes later, RIFC had yet another chance when Clay Holstad’s headed effort went just over the crossbar.

In the 80th minute, Orange County forward #9 Ethan Zubak was issued a yellow card.

In the 87th minute, Orange County head coach Danny Stone made his two final changes by replacing midfielders #26 Kyle Scott and #11 Bryce Jamison with forward #21 Thomas Amang and defender #33 Ashton Miles.

What a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ performance from @ColinShutler! 🧤#ForCounty | #OCvRI pic.twitter.com/jR1nUyrJDk

— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) September 15, 2024

Less than one minute later, RIFC midfielder Stephen Turnbull was issued a yellow card.

Colin Shutler made a spectacular save in the 93rd minute when he denied Frank Nodarse’s headed effort to keep it 1-0 to Orange County.

After the 90+8 minutes, the match concluded with Rhode Island falling 1-0 to Orange County SC

Final. pic.twitter.com/jQLezw2CH1

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) September 15, 2024

With the result, RIFC remain in 7thplace in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.

Rhode Island FC (8-13-7, 37 pts.) return home to face FC Tulsa (7-10-10, 31 pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off on Saturday, September 21st at 7:30p.m. on ESPN+.