SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (11-13-7, 46 pts.) were victorious 3-1 over Tampa Bay Rowdies (13-7-10, 46 pts.) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 4,500.

The XI taking on Tampa Bay 👊 pic.twitter.com/4vIh8LNYGJ

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 5, 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 Noah Fuson (left) Marc Ybarra (left center mid), Zachary Herivaux (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 2 players out due to injury. Jojea Kwizera (Suspension), and Isaac Angking (R-ACL)

Saturday night under the lights 🌟 pic.twitter.com/yVX9ISG5TC

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 5, 2024

The match began with RIFC starting from the center circle and quickly advancing through Tampa Bay Rowdies midfield and into their defensive third.

Entering the 22nd minute, RIFC took the lead.

🎶 under pressure 🎶 #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/l2U26YdQc5

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

Following a high press by midfielder Zachary Herivaux, Tampa Bay goalkeeper #1 Jordan Farr passed the ball into Herivaux, which deflected off of him and into the net to make it 1-0 to RIFC.

In the 27th minute, Tampa Bay midfielder #4 Lewis Hilton was issued a yellow card.

Just two minutes later, in the 29th minute, RIFC forward JJ Williams was issued a yellow card.

In the 37th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing forward Albert Dikwa with forward Mark Doyle.

RIFC’s next best chance came in the 39th minute when JJ Williams effort was sent over the cross bar.

Tampa Bay’s first major chance came in the 42nd minute when a freekick by midfielder #10 Leo Fernandes was met with a diving stop by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

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

Up 1 through 45 💪 pic.twitter.com/z2zZ0NBdv7

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

The second half began with Tampa Bay immediately progressing the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.

RIFC had the first chance of the second half when Stephen Turnbull’s effort was saved close by goalkeeper #1 Jordan Farr.

In the 58th minute, Tampa Bay head coach Robbie Neilson made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #10 Leo Fernandes with forward #8 Damian Rivera.

In the 65th minute, Tampa Bay midfielder #27 Pacifique Niyongabire was issued a yellow card.

Following the foul, RIFC head coach Khano Smith replaced midfielder Stephen Turnbull with defender Morris Duggan.

Entering the 69th minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Bend it like Fuson 🤩 #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/IevnSDhwia

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

Forward Noah Fuson found the ball off of a JJ Williams flick and managed to bend the ball past goalkeeper #1 Jordan Farr to make it 2-0 to Rhode Island FC.

Entering the 71st minute, Tampa Bay pulled one back

71' MANU GETS US ON THE BOARD!!!!

2-1 | #RIvTBR pic.twitter.com/dQRMF2Syp2

— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) October 6, 2024

Midfielder #8 Damian Rivera managed to slide the ball forward to find forward #9 Manuel Arteaga for the crossover and then right footed toe-poke into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.

Moments after the goal, Tampa Bay head coach Robbie Neilson made his third change of the match by replacing defender #19 Freddy Kleeman with forward #20 Nick Moon.

Less than one minute later, Tampa Bay had a chance to level the scoreline when forward #9 Manuel Arteaga had another close-range chance that was cleared away.

Three goals, three straight wins 💪 #RIvsTBR Match Recap: https://t.co/iUlxDncKgc pic.twitter.com/oAtWimZMjh

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

In the 77th minute, RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.

Just 4 minutes later, RIFC midfielder Marc Ybarra was issued a yellow card.

In the 84th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final change of the match by replacing midfielder Zachary Herivaux with midfielder Joe Brito.

Entering the 85th minute, RIFC added to their lead.

jj WiWWiams 💪 #WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/sWombN3FTU

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

Forward Noah Fuson managed to slide the ball into forward JJ Williams for the outside the boot finish into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1 to Rhode Island.

In the 87th minute, Tampa Bay head coach Robbie Neilson made his two final changes of the match by replacing forward #98 Joshua Perez and midfielder #13 Ben Bender with midfielder #18 Nathan Worth and forward #21 Endri Mustali.

RIFC had yet another chance to add to their lead when Mark Doyle’s effort in the 91st minute was caught by goalkeeper #1 Jordan Farr.

Tampa Bay’s last chance came in the 90+4 minute when forward #9 Manuel Arteaga was denied by a great save by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

After the 90+5 minutes, the match concluded with Rhode Island holding on for the 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

Another won, thank you 😘 #WickedGoodWin | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/8dSKcBuGrL

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) October 6, 2024

With the result, RIFC move to 5th place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.

Rhode Island FC (11-13-7, 46 pts.) remain home to face Loudoun United FC (11-8-11, 41 pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off on Sunday, October 13th at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+.