Rhode Island FC Aims for Glory in USL Championship Finals: Historic Moments Await

Rhode Island FC: A Journey from Inception to Championship Final

Ask Khano Smith 18 months ago if he thought his Rhode Island FC side would be playing in the USL Championship final, and he wouldn't have believed you. After all, the team that he agreed to manage didn't technically exist. With no stadium, players, or fans, this was an entirely new entity. He may have put pen to paper, but he had 12 months to sort this whole thing out.

A Season to Remember

Fast forward, and it's all very real. In its inaugural season, Rhode Island FC - which plays at Beirne Stadium, the home of Bryant University - is 90 minutes away from becoming the sole team in league history to win USL in their first season as a club. According to Smith, the accomplishment is surprising, but rewarding. "It's nice to be rewarded with this. But yeah, I don't think anybody in the wildest dreams would have thought that we would have been here," Smith told GOAL.

A Rocky Start

None of this started particularly well. In January, Smith was still piecing the roster together. Assembly wasn't easy, he admitted. Without much name recognition, the coach looked far and wide for some top talent. Yes, he managed to snag a star player or two - including eventual Golden Playmaker award-winner Noah Fuson - but this was mostly about depth and character. It's a cliché, Smith concedes, but this was a process.

From Struggles to Strides

Rhode Island needed a 92nd-minute own goal to snag a draw in their first game of the season, played in front of 5,000 fans. It took more than a month, though, before RIFC had something to truly celebrate. They went six matches without winning and found themselves on the right end of a result in just two out of their first 14 games. Smith reflected, "We were in every game, and competitive... and ultimately, we have the third least amount of losses in the league."

The Turning Point

In mid-June, halfway through the season, they were in 11th place and falling. However, something changed after a disappointing draw against Memphis. "We went on to beat Louisville at their place by a hefty margin," Fuson recalled. This victory proved to be a pivotal moment for the team. They embarked on an eight-game unbeaten streak midseason, culminating in a strong playoff push.

Playoff Success Against All Odds

Coming into the postseason as a No. 5 seed, it was mathematically unlikely that RIFC would host a game. Nevertheless, they have triumphed against the odds, winning three consecutive road matches. They progressed past Indy Eleven and eliminated both the tournament's top seeds, including Louisville, with a decisive 3-0 victory.

The Rival: Colorado Springs Switchbacks

On the other side, Colorado Springs has experienced sustained growth in the league. From finishing 18th in 2019, they improved to 2nd place this season, with a better goal difference than New Mexico United. Despite being around for ten years, they have never made it to the finals.

Head Coach’s Perspective

Head coach James Chambers expressed pride in his team's journey, stating, "We've got a lot of players in our locker room that have shown huge growth... Everybody is in the same direction." Now, they are poised to chase down history, yet acknowledge the challenge they face against a remarkably determined Rhode Island FC side.

Final Showdown: Who Will Make History?

As Colorado Springs heads into the final as narrow favorites, Chambers emphasized, "It doesn't mean we're going to turn up and just win. We're also facing a team that has won three on the road, gone to number one and two in the west, and turned them over." One truth remains: Rhode Island FC has continuously defied expectations, signaling a thrilling climax to the USL Championship season.

Conclusion: Whether Colorado Springs will finally claim their chance at glory or Rhode Island FC will write a landmark chapter in their first season, football fans await this exciting showdown with bated breath.