RIFC fall 3-1 to Colorado Switchbacks FC
SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (1-6-3, 9 pts.) fell 3-1 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (4-1-5, 13 pts.) on Friday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Weidner Field in Denver, Colorado to a crowd of 4,000.
Your #RIFC starting XI to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC!#WickedGoodLineup pic.twitter.com/Oiv2K5FXhT
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 18, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Koke Vegas starting in the net with a backline of Gabriel Alves (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Frank Nodarse (right). The midfield consisted of Jojea Kwizera (left) Clay Holstad (left center mid), Jack Panayotou (central), Marc Ybarra (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Albert Dikwa (left) and Noah Fuson (right).
Rhode Island had 3 players out due to injury. They included Grant Stoneman (Leg), Conor McGlynn (Leg), and Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee).
Tonight's Health Report brought to you by @Ortho_RI. pic.twitter.com/SkuoiDARrr
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 18, 2024
The match kicked off with Colorado starting from the center circle. They elected to quickly launch the ball into Rhode Island’s defensive third.
The Switchbacks had the first moment of the match in the 4th minute when a long-distance shot was saved low-late by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.
In the 13th minute, RIFC took the early lead.
Jack Panayotou picks out Frank Nodarse who heads home his first-ever #RIFC goal!#COSvRI | 0-1 | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/daD3EjHLDV
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 18, 2024
Following a corner kick delivery by Jack Panayotou, the ball was headed home by Frank Nodarse for the 1-0 lead.
Colorado had a chance to level the match in the 22nd minute when forward #9 Ronaldo Damus’ cross into the area was caught by Koke Vegas.
RIFC then had an opportunity in the 25th minute when Jack Panayotou’s corner kick delivery fell to Stephen Turnbull, but he had miss-hit the shot.
In the 27th minute, Colorado leveled the match.
RONALDO DAMUS WENT NEAR POST WITH THIS?!
What a rocket! @SwitchbacksFC pic.twitter.com/ddXkvrR7GK
— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 18, 2024
Following a poor clearance by Gabriel Alves, the ball was bouncing around. There was no-communication between two RIFC defenders, and the ball fell for forward #9 Ronaldo Damus for a tight right-corner finish past Koke Vegas to level the match.
Colorado had yet another chance from a corner kick in the 29th minute when midfielder #18 Aidan Rocha’s delivery was cleared away.
In the 34th minute, RIFC defender Stephen Turnbull was issued a yellow card for fouling midfielder #20 Yosuke Hanya.
Colorado then had a chance when defender #2 Koa Santos’ delivery was deflected and saved by Koke Vegas.
RIFC then had a chance of their own in the 39th minute when Jojea Kwizera’s effort was deflected wide of the left post and out for a corner kick. The ensuing corner kick was cleared.
In the 45th minute, RIFC midfielder Marc Ybarra was issued a yellow card for fouling forward #9 Ronaldo Damus.
After the 45+2 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 1-1.
HALFTIME | All even at the break.#COSvRI | 1-1 | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/0hueFgJVS5
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 18, 2024
Prior to the start of the second half, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing Gabriel Alves with Collin Smith.
The second half kicked off with RIFC starting from the center circle. RIFC elected to build out of the back to start the second half.
RIFC had the first moment of the match when Jack Panayotou’s long shot in the 51st minute was met with a diving save by goalkeeper #1 Christian Herrera.
In the 60th minute, RIFC midfielder Jojea Kwizera was issued a yellow card for fouling goalkeeper #1 Christian Herrera.
Following the card, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second and third changes of the match by replacing Noah Fuson and Jojea Kwizera with Mark Doyle and Prince Saydee.
Just 2 minutes later, Colorado head coach James Chambers made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #20 Yosuke Hanya with forward #8 Jonas Fjeldberg.
Less than 1 minute later, Colorado gained the 2-1 lead.
The supersub @FjeldbergJonas making the difference for @SwitchbacksFC! pic.twitter.com/bkcnHoHrkq
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) May 18, 2024
Following a throw-in, the ball was collected by midfielder #8 Jonas Fjeldberg. He had a dribbling display of excellence where he took on two RIFC defenders, sent the ball centrally as it was deflected by Karifa Yao into his own net, to make it 2-1 Colorado.
RIFC’s next chance came in the 71st minute from a Jack Panayotou corner kick that was headed away and cleared.
In the 72nd minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fourth change and replaced Albert Dikwa with JJ Williams.
Just 2 minutes later, Colorado head coach James Chambers made his second and third changes of the match by replacing midfielders #10 Zachary Zandi and #99 Maalique Foster with forwards #11 Quenzi Huerman and #27 Juan Tejada.
In the 81st minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final change of the match by replacing Marc Ybarra with Joe Brito.
In the 85th minute, RIFC forward Prince Saydee was issued a yellow card for fouling midfielder #8 Jonas Fjeldberg.
Entering the 86th minute, drama ensued for RIFC as forward #9 Ronaldo Damus was pushed down in the box by midfielder #3 Stephen Turnbull. He luckily was not issued a second yellow card.
— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) May 18, 2024
The ensuing penalty kick taken by forward #9 Ronaldo Damus was buried into the bottom right corner for his second goal of the match and for the 3-1 advantage.
In the 90+2 minute, Colorado head coach James Chambers made his final change of the match by replacing forward #9 Ronaldo Damus with forward #21 Alex Andersson.
After the 90+5 minutes, the match concluded with Colorado holding on for the 3-1 victory.
FULL TIME#COSvRI | 3-1 | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/2ViYp57ACI
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 18, 2024
With the result, Rhode Island has fell to 11th place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
Rhode Island FC (1-6-3, 9 pts. in USL Championship) return home to Bulldog Stadium to face Eastern Conference side Louisville City FC (7-1-1, 22 pts.). The match kicks off on Saturday, May 25th at 4:00p.m. on ESPN+.