RIFC advance in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after 2-0 victory over Hartford Athletic

PAWTUCKET, RI– Rhode Island FC (0-1-2, 1 pts in USLC) were victorious 2-0 over Hartford Athletic (2-2-0, 8 pts in USLC) in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Centreville Bank Stadium to a crowd of “4,587”.

Tonight's Starting XI ⚡ pic.twitter.com/oFiySzikt2

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 1, 2026

Rhode Island FC starting lineup: 3-5-2 | Koke Vegas (C), Hamady Diop, Karifa Yao, Nick Scardina, Hugo Bacharach, Aldair Sanchez, Kevin Vang, Agustín Rodríguez, Noah Fuson, Dwayne Atkinson, JJ Williams

Rhode Island FC substitutes:| Dani Rovira, Leo Afonso, Clay Holstad, Logan Dorsey, Frank Nodarse, CJ Williams, Jacob Castro

Hartford Athletic starting lineup: 3-5-2 | Enzo Carvalho, Jack Loura, Jordan Scarlett (C), TJ Presthus, Britton Fischer, Christos Hadjipaschalis, Andres Hernandez, Galen Flynn, Junior Moreira, Gordon Spencer, Adewale Obalola

Hartford Athletic substitutes:| Antony Siaha, Sebastian Anderson, Matt Real, Augi Williams, Michee Ngalina, Arturo De Piz, Sadat Anaku

RIFC starting lineup versus Hartford Athletic in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The match kicked off with Hartford Athletic starting from the center circle. Both teams stood in the center circle for the first minute by protesting the current state of the USLPA.

Entering the 12th minute, Rhode Island took the lead with the first chance of the match.

JJ Williams with the flick, Aldair Sanchez with the half-volley finish 🤝@RhodeIslandFC lead 1-0 in the rain! pic.twitter.com/gAdNJQGf2I

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 1, 2026

Following a free kick delivery by midfielder Kevin Vang, the ball was headed down by forward JJ Williams to find the feet of defender Aldair Sanchez for the finish into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 to Rhode Island.

Hartford’s first chance of the match came in the 29th minute when a free kick delivery into the area by Andres Hernandez fell for Christos Hadjipaschalis was deflected and fell for TJ Presthus who then sent the ball centrally for a shot by Jordan Scarlett that snuck wide.

Entering the 30th minute, Rhode Island FC added to their lead.

First the assist, now the finish! JJ Williams doubles @RhodeIslandFC's lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sPuvHt6qSR

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 1, 2026

Following a corner kick delivery by Agustín Rodríguez, the ball was headed into the bottom right corner by forward JJ Williams to make it 2-0 to Rhode Island FC.

Hartford’s next chance came in the 35th minute when an effort by Galen Flynn flew high over the bar.

Rhode Island’s next chance came in the 38th minute when the ball fell kindly for forward Dwayne Atkinson who then sent the ball over the bar.

After the initial 45+1 minutes, the match entered halftime with Rhode Island ahead 2-0.

Halftime between Rhode Island FC v Hartford Athletic.

Prior to the start of the second half, both teams made changes. RIFC head coach Khano Smith made one change by replacing Hamady Diop with Frank Nodarse. Hartford Athletic head coach Brendan Burke made three changes by replacing Spencer Gordon, Jordan Scarlett, & Andrés Hernández with Michee Ngalina, Artur De Piz, & Augi Williams.

The second half began with Rhode Island FC starting from the center circle. For the second time, both teams stood in the center circle for the first minute of the half by protesting the current state of the USLPA.

Hartford had the first chance of the second half in the 53rd minute when an effort towards goal by forward Augi Williams was blocked away and cleared.

Michee Ngalina had a fantastic chance in the 55th minute when his right footed shot was met with a spectacular save by Koke Vegas out for a corner kick.

Just one minute later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made two more changes by replacing Agustín Rodríguez & Kevin Vang with Clay Holstad & Leo Afonso.

In the 58th minute, Hartford Athletic head coach Brendan Burke made his fourth & fifth changes by replacing Adewale Obalola & Galen Flynn with Sadat Anaku & Sebastian Anderson.

Aldair Sanchez celebrates after his goal during a match versus Hartford Athletic. Image Courtesy of RIFC.

In the 62nd minute, RIFC midfielder Noah Fuson was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on TJ Presthus.

In the 66th minute, Hartford Athletic midfielder Christos Hadjipaschalis was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul while attempting to shoot a ball late.

In the 70th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made fourth change by replacing JJ Williams with Logan Dorsey.

Hartford’s best chance of the match came in the 76th minute when a delivery into the area fell for Sebastian Anderson to unleash a right-footed shot towards goal that was blocked off the line by defender Frank Nodarse and cleared.

In the 79th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made fifth change by replacing Dwayne Atkinson with Dani Rovira.

The ball is sent forward by an RIFC player during a match versus Hartford Athletic. Image Courtesy of RIFC.

Logan Dorsey had another chance for RIFC in the 86th minute when his right footed shot was saved by goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho.

Leo Afonso then had a massive chance in the 88th minute when his right footed shot was sent over the bar.

After the 90+3 minutes, Rhode Island FC held on comfortably for their 2-0 victory.

MOVING ON!!🤩 pic.twitter.com/GbjIm4E1AO

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 2, 2026

Rhode Island have advanced to the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The draw is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd at 9:00am EST.

Khano Smith and Rhode Island FC (0-1-2, 1 pts) remain home to face Eastern Conference side Detroit City FC (2-0-1, 6 pts.). The match will kick off at Centreville Bank Stadium on Saturday, April 4th at 7:00PM EST. For more USL Championship content, you can find it on ESPN+