SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (12-15-7, 51 pts.) defeated Louisville City FC (24-4-6, 76 pts.) 3-0 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday.

The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky to a sold-out crowd of 4,500.

Tonight’s squad 🫡#NeverSayDie | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/PMBTp1LCfp

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 9, 2024

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

Rhode Island had 2 players out due to injury. They included Stephen Turnbull (leg) and Isaac Angking (R-ACL).

Rhode Island FC starting XI versus Louisville City FC in the USL Championship semifinal.

The match began with Louisville City kicking off and immediately building out of the back to begin the match.

Entering the 9th minute, RIFC took the early lead.

𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 🔪🧈

JJ Williams stays ON FIRE and gives @RhodeIslandFC an early lead! 🔥#USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hjNtd1b7u3

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) November 10, 2024

Forward JJ Williams collected the ball at midfield, drove down the entire field and buried it past goalkeeper #18 Damian Las for the 1-0 advantage.

In the 11th minute, RIFC defender Frank Nodarse was issued a yellow card.

The ensuing freekick by was headed by midfielder #23 Elijah Wynder and saved by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

Louisville’s next chance came in the 43rd minute when midfielder #17 Taylor Davila’s freekick was met with a diving save by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

RIFC almost added to their lead when Noah Fuson’s shot as time expired was saved away by goalkeeper #18 Damian Las.

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

Halftime in KY⬆️ pic.twitter.com/B7491s5NoZ

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 10, 2024

Prior to the start of the second half, Louisville made two changes. Head coach Danny Cruz replaced midfielder #13 Amadou Dia and forward #16 Adrian Perez with defender #3 Jake Morris and forward #9 Phillip Goodrum.

The second half began with Charleston Battery starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into Rhode Island’s defensive third.

Louisville had the first chance of the second half when defender #3 Jake Morris’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

In the 63rd minute, Louisville head coach Danny Cruz made his third change by replacing midfielder #2 Aiden McFadden with defender #15 Manny Perez.

In the 67th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing defender Morris Duggan with midfielder Kofi Twumasi.

In the 72nd minute, RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.

See you in the Conference Final 💪#LOUvRI Match Recap: https://t.co/ugyuGA4dtR pic.twitter.com/EWeFTf16nZ

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 10, 2024

In the 74th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing defender Frank Nodarse with forward Albert Dikwa.

RIFC had the next chance in the 77th minute when Jojea Kwizera’s effort went just wide of the left post.

In the 77th minute, Louisville head coach Danny Cruz made his fourth change by replacing forward #7 Ray Serrano with midfielder #25 Jansen Wilson.

Entering the 78th minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Absolute magic from JJ Williams#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/uenxPjgRRd

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 10, 2024

Following a horrific giveaway from the goalkick, RIFC forward JJ Williams pounced on the mistake to make it 2-0 to Rhode Island. This is JJ Williams’ fifth goal these playoffs.

In the 86th minute, both teams made changes. RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final three changes by replacing forward JJ Williams and midfielders Jojea Kwizera and Zachary Herivaux with forward Mark Doyle and midfielders Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Joe Brito. Louisville head coach Danny Cruz made his fifth and final change by replacing defender #5 Arturo Ordonez with midfielder Niall McCabe.

In the 90+1 minute, drama ensued as goalkeeper #18 Damian Las took down RIFC forward Albert Dikwa in the penalty area. RIFC were given a penalty kick.

Entering the 90+2 minute, RIFC added to their lead.

THE DAGGER! 😤@DikwaAlbert follows up and puts the exclamation point on this match for @RhodeIslandFC!#USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/5kbRfTTJux

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) November 10, 2024

The ensuing penalty kick by Noah Fuson was saved by goalkeeper #18 Damian Las, however, the ball deflected back to forward Albert Dikwa for the tap-in finish to make it 3-0 to Rhode Island FC.

RIFC had yet another chance in the 90+6 minute, however, the effort was easily saved by goalkeeper #18 Damian Las.

Entering the 90+6 minute, Louisville were given a penalty kick following a foul by Rhode Island defender Karifa Yao. Yao was given a yellow card for the challenge.

Serving up a clean sheet before heading to the Conference Final 🧤

This stoppage time penalty kick save by Koke Vegas is your @CentrevilleBank Save of the Match! #WickedGoodSave | #NeverSayDie | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/BckMyHyKg5

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 10, 2024

The ensuing effort by Louisville City defender #4 Sean Totsch was saved by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

After the 90+7 minutes, the match concluded with Rhode Island winning the match 2-1 over Charleston Battery.

Fulltime from the USL Championship Eastern Conference semifinals.

With the result, Rhode Island FC have advanced to the USL Championship Eastern Conference Final.

Rhode Island FC (11-15-7, 48 pts.) will face Charleston Battery (14-9-10, 51 pts.) at Patriots Point Field in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Finals. The match will kick off on Saturday, November 16th at 7:00pm on ESPN+.