SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (12-15-7, 51 pts.) defeated Charleston Battery (18-10-6, 64 pts.) 2-1 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.

The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina to a sold-out crowd of 4,500.

How we're lining up for the Eastern Conference Final 💪 #NeverSayDie | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/C4zXT5V6rS

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 16, 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 and 1 due to International Duty. They included Stephen Turnbull (leg), Isaac Angking (R-ACL), and Jojea Kwizera (International Duty).

The ECF XI 🫡 pic.twitter.com/peFYFfCTL9

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 17, 2024

The match began with Rhode Island FC starting from the center circle and quickly playing the ball backwards to Koke Vegas before he elected to launch the ball into Charleston’s defensive third.

Charleston Battery had the first chance of the match in the 7th minute when forward #10 Nick Markanich was pushed off balance and his effort went well wide of the left post.

Charleston had the next chance in the 17th minute when forward #80 Juan Torres’ 40+ yard long-distant effort went just wide of the top left corner.

Rhode Island’s first major chance came as the match entered the 19th minute when Albert Dikwa’s effort went just wide of the bottom left corner.

Charleston had the next chance in the 24th minute when forward #80 Juan Torres’ effort was met with a save by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.

RIFC almost took the lead in the 34th minute when Clay Holstad’s long throw deflected multiple times before going out of play in the penalty area.

Entering the 43rd minute, RIFC took the lead.

And just like that, we take the lead! Thanks to Karifa Yao!#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/jGQjCCqdF3

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 17, 2024

Following a delivery into the area by Clay Holstad, the ball was flicked on by Karifa Yao and then finished home by Zachary Herivaux for the 1-0 lead.

RIFC had yet another chance before the end of the half when Clay Holstad’s effort went just wide of the post.

In the 45+3 minute, RIFC midfielder Zachary Herivaux was issued a yellow card.

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

Rhode Island FC enter halftime ahead versus Charleston Battery 1-0.

Prior to the start of the second half, Charleston made two changes. Head coach Ben Pirmann replaced midfielder #14 Jay Chapman and forward #36 Jackson Conway with midfielder #8 Emilio Ycaza and forward #9 MD Myers.

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

In the 52nd minute, Charleston Battery midfielder #13 Nick Markanich was issued a yellow card.

Entering the 53rd minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Right place, right time for Noah Fuson!🔥#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/DJLraV5RG5

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 17, 2024

Midfielder Clay Holstad drove down the center of the park and found Noah Fuson drifting on the left flank. Fuson then took on a defender and unleashed a left-footed shot that snuck through the hands of goalkeeper #1 Adam Grinwis for the 2-0 lead.

Entering the 61st minute, Charleston pulled one back.

.@Juandavidth10 gets us back into this one! https://t.co/63unHr8QcQ pic.twitter.com/KQWSozxREO

— Charleston Battery (@Chas_Battery) November 17, 2024

Forward #80 Juan Torres sent in an absolute beauty from 45+ yards out and went bar-down and in to pull one back for Charleston Battery.

In the 64th minute, Charleston Battery head coach Ben Pirmann made his third change of the match by replacing defender #62 Nathan Dos Santos with defender #5 Leland Archer.

RIFC had a massive chance when Albert Dikwa’s effort from the 6-yard box just missed the inside left post in the 65th minute.

In the 69th minute, RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.

Moments later, Charleston had a massive opportunity when forward #10 Nick Markanich missed from 10-yards away.

RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad battles for the ball during the USL Championship Eastern Conference Finals. Image Courtesy of Charleston Battery.

In the 72nd minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Clay Holstad with midfielder Joe Brito.

In the 76th minute, RIFC forward JJ Williams was issued a yellow card.

Following the foul, Charleston broke out and had a chance when midfielder #80 Juan Torres had yet another chance that was met with a catch save by Koke Vegas.

In the 80th minute, Charleston Battery head coach Ben Pirmann made his fourth change of the match by replacing defender #4 Chris Allan with forward #7 Prince Saydee.

Just two minutes later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing forward JJ Williams with forward Mark Doyle.

Rhode Island FC forward Albert Dikwa looks to press the ball during the USL Championship Eastern Conference Finals. Image Courtesy of Charleston Battery.

In the 89th minute, RIFC forward Mark Doyle was issued a yellow card.

In the 90th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third and final change of the match by replacing midfielder Zachary Herivaux with midfielder Kofi Twumasi.

In the 90+2 minute, RIFC forward Albert Dikwa and Charleston Battery midfielder #8 Emilio Ycaza were both issued yellow cards.

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

RIFC hold on to defeat Charleston Battery 2-1.

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

Rhode Island FC (11-15-7, 48 pts.) will face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (14-9-10, 51 pts.) at Weidner Field USL Championship title game. The match will kick off on Saturday, November 23rd at 12:00pm on ESPN+.