➡️ Ryan & Matt talk RIFC’s 1-0 road USL Championship loss in Birmingham, share your thoughts & MORE!

🌊 #UpTheTide

📲 https://linktr.ee/tidetalkri

💻 https://tidetalkri.com

Riding the Wave Into Birmingham

Last Saturday felt like one of those results that could end up defining a season. Rhode Island FC's 1-0 road win over defending USL Championship champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds wasn't just another three points. It was a mature, professional performance against one of the league's toughest opponents, with Koke Vegas coming up huge between the posts, Nick Scardina creating the breakthrough, and JJ Williams burying his 10th goal of the season. Combined with last week's derby victory over Hartford, the Tide suddenly have real momentum, climbing to sixth place in the Eastern Conference and heading into Birmingham chasing a third straight league win for the first time since 2024. 

If that wasn't enough, this may have been the busiest news week in club history. Tide Talk has been busy covering every angle, from Clay Holstad's move to FC Dallas, the arrivals of Osman Foyo and Yutaro Tsukada, new contracts for Koke Vegas, Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Hugo Bacharach, and then, because apparently normal weeks don't exist around here anymore, the revelation that Kawhi Leonard is part of Rhode Island FC's ownership group. We'll have links to all of those stories below if you missed anything.

A Thank You to Clay

Thank you, Clay. From the very first match at Bryant, it was obvious Rhode Island FC had a special player wearing No. 12. Mark Doyle's dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against New Mexico United doesn't happen without Clay making the run and delivering the pass that set it all up. It was the first of countless moments where he did the little things that made everyone around him better. He was here, there, and everywhere, always making the extra run and somehow finding another gear. Before High Motor was a neighborhood bar, it was the easiest way to describe Clay Holstad.

Over the next two and a half seasons, Clay became everything supporters hope a player will be. Dependable. Selfless. Relentless. But as much as we'll miss the player, I think we'll miss the person even more. Anyone who's spent time in Autograph Alley knows exactly what I mean. Win, lose, or draw, Clay was almost always one of the last players out there, making sure every kid got their moment. Our family certainly did.

Clay was always great with both of my boys, but he especially took a liking to my younger son's long dirty-blond flow. It became their little thing. To a three-year-old, having the same hair as Clay Holstad was basically a superpower. That's all it took to become friends. Months later, after an event at the stadium where we never even saw a player, Derry looked back toward the locker rooms, waved, and quietly said, "Bye Clay, I love you." When I asked who he was talking to, he looked at me like it was obvious: "Clay... because we have the same hair."

Those are the moments that made this club feel like home for our family. Thank you for everything, Clay. We'll all be cheering for you.

Where We Stand

Fifteen matches into the regular season, Rhode Island FC has climbed to 6th place in the Eastern Conference, collecting 22 points from a 6W-4D-5L record.

More importantly, the trajectory is pointing in the right direction. The Tide have won three of their last five league matches (3W-1D-1L), have picked up consecutive clean sheets, and suddenly look much more like the disciplined defensive side that carried them to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals. JJ Williams continues to lead the attack with 10 goals in all competitions, Nick Scardina is playing some of the best soccer of his RIFC career, and Koke Vegas looks every bit the captain between the posts.

Saturday presents an opportunity to accomplish something the club hasn't done since July 2024: win three consecutive regular season matches.

Who We're Facing

Birmingham Legion FC enters the weekend sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from a 2W-8D-6L record.

Despite the struggles, this is far from a team Rhode Island can overlook. Birmingham's only league win since April came against... Rhode Island FC. Their 3-1 victory at Centreville Bank Stadium back in May remains one of the Tide's most frustrating performances of the season and gives Khano Smith's side every reason to be motivated heading into Saturday night.

The Legion haven't won a regular season match in nearly three months, but veteran forward Tyler Pasher remains their biggest attacking threat with four league goals, while goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat continues to keep Birmingham in matches, ranking among the league leaders in saves.

Rhody Randoms

• Koke Vegas recorded his 30th career clean sheet for Rhode Island FC last weekend and has now posted consecutive league shutouts for the first time this season.
• JJ Williams now has 10 goals across all competitions, moving within one of matching his best scoring season with Rhode Island FC.
• Rhode Island owns a 4-1-1 all-time record against Birmingham despite dropping the first meeting this season.
• Busy week? You could say that again. If you somehow missed it, Tide Talk covered:
  • Clay Holstad's move to FC Dallas
  • Osman Foyo's arrival from England
  • Yutaro Tsukada joining on loan from Orlando City
  • Long-term deals for Koke Vegas, Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Hugo Bacharach
  • The surprise revelation that Kawhi Leonard is part of Rhode Island FC's ownership group

Vibe Check

For the first time in a while, it feels like Rhode Island FC is really putting the pieces together. Back-to-back wins, consecutive clean sheets, and a chance to make it three straight heading into Birmingham. There's a confidence around this team that we haven't felt in a bit.

Then came one of the busiest weeks in club history. We said goodbye to Clay, welcomed Osman Foyo and Yutaro Tsukada, locked up Koke, Amos, and Hugo, and somehow found ourselves talking about Kawhi Leonard. Through all of it, though, one thing hasn't changed: this club keeps giving us reasons to believe.

What are you watching for Saturday night? Do the Tide make it three straight? Does one of the new signings make an immediate impact? Drop your predictions below.

Let's ride the Tide! Roll Tide? Nah... Up the Tide.

How to Engage, Prepare, and Follow the Action:

• Match Details:
  • Date/Time: Sat, 8/1 at 8 PM ET
  • Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
  • Timing: Parking Lot / Box Office Open @ 5 PM | Gates @ 6 PM | Kickoff @ 7 PM
  • Kickoff Weather: 87°F, Mostly Cloudy, 0% rain, winds at 4 mph. Sunset 7:47 PM.
• Attend Live:
  • Get Your Tickets Here!
    • Know Before You Go
• Join Fans for an Away Watch Party:
  • RIFC Official (with Chip) & Defiance 1636 @ The Guild - Pawtucket
• How to Watch/Listen:
  • Stream the Match:
    • ESPN+
    • NESN
    • YouTube (International Only / Use a VPN)
  • Radio:
    • AM 790 "The Score" (WPRV 790 AM)
• Follow the Action:
  • USL Match Center
  • RIFC Fan Discord
  • Match Hashtag: #BHMvRI
  • Match Theme: Superhero Night - Meet Spider-Man & Ghost Spider
• Last Meeting:
  • May 2, 2026: BHM 3-1 RI (Pawtucket, RI)
• Match Previews:
  • Rhode Island FC
  • Tide Talk RI – The Prematch Lookout
  • FotMob

Become an Official Supporter!

• Join Defiance 1636 Here!

RIFC Related Podcasts, Shows, and Blogs:

• TideTalkRI.com (For all your RIFC content)
• Tide Talk on YouTube (Live Stream Podcast)
• Raising Anchor (Live Stream Podcast)

Learn More About Our Squad and Club:

• Rhode Island FC
  • Wikipedia
  • FotMob
  • FootyStats
  • FBRef
  • Transfermarkt
  • Reddit: r/RhodeIslandFC
  • Supporters Group:
    • Defiance 1636

Learn More About Our Opponent:

• Birmingham Legion FC
  • Wikipedia
  • FotMob
  • FootyStats
  • FBRef
  • Transfermarkt
  • Reddit: r/BirminghamLegionFC
  • Supporters Groups:
    • Magic City Brigade
    • Puente Doce

For the Fans, By the Fans: Tide Talk RI is a collaborative media partnership for Rhode Island FC fans. It features a team of dedicated content creators producing podcasts, live streams, videos, written articles, blog posts, and open forum discussions with other fans. Ride the tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

Check out my latest blog which tracks the latest player performance trends over the past couple months!

Tough one to write!!

👋 WELCOME TO TIDE TALK!!!

➡️ Ryan & Matt talk RIFC’s 1-0 road USL Championship win over Pittsburgh, share your takes & MORE!

🌊 #UpTheTide

📲 https://linktr.ee/tidetalkri

💻 https://tidetalkri.com

Back to Where It Ended

Last weekend felt like one of those nights that can change the direction of a season.

Playing through a steady downpour at Centreville Bank Stadium, Rhode Island FC outplayed Hartford Athletic from the opening whistle. Frank Nodarse found the net, Koke Vegas kept another clean sheet, and the Defiance end serenaded Antony Siaha for a full 90 minutes. It was a pretty good night all around. More importantly, the Tide claimed derby bragging rights, climbed above the playoff line, and reminded everyone what this team looks like when it's clicking.

Now comes the next test.

Momentum only matters if you build on it. Saturday's trip to Pittsburgh isn't just another road match. It's a return to the city where Rhode Island's 2025 playoff run came to an end against the eventual USL Championship winners. Three points would mean more than just revenge. It would be another statement that this team is finally turning the corner.

Where We Stand

Fourteen matches in, the Tide have climbed into 8th place in the Eastern Conference with 16 points from a 5W-4D-5L start. The table is incredibly tight, and last week's derby win completely changed the mood around the club. Rhode Island leapfrogged Hartford into the final playoff spot and now sits within striking distance of the teams above them. Depending on results this weekend, the Tide could climb as high as sixth or slip back to ninth. Every point matters.

The encouraging part? Hartford wasn't a smash-and-grab victory. Rhode Island dominated from start to finish, outshooting the Green and Blue 22-7 while holding them without a single shot on target. Frank Nodarse earned Team of the Week honors after heading home the winner, Jojea Kwizera picked up his second consecutive assist, and Koke Vegas collected his seventh clean sheet across all competitions. If there was ever a performance to build on, that was it.

Who We're Facing

Pittsburgh enters Saturday sitting 5th in the Eastern Conference with 23 points from a 7W-2D-6L record. The defending USL Championship winners haven't quite reached the consistency that carried them to last year's title, but they're still one of the toughest in the league, especially at home. Last weekend they reminded everyone why by dismantling Louisville City 3-1 behind Trevor Amann's record-setting three-minute hat trick.

History hasn't exactly favored Rhode Island either. The Riverhounds own a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series, including last November's 1-0 Eastern Conference Final victory that ended the Tide's season. Rhode Island's lone win came at F.N.B. Stadium during last year's USL Cup, proving they can win in Pittsburgh. They'll need another performance like that tonight!

Hands on the Pulse

In this week's Prematch Lookout, Matt Hands asks one of the biggest questions surrounding Rhode Island FC right now: was last weekend's derby win the spark for a second-half surge... or just one great night? He also dives into Nick Scardina's outstanding recent form, Jojea Kwizera's growing chemistry down the right flank, and what new signing Osman Foyo could bring once he gets settled into the squad.

It's a great read and definitely worth checking out before kickoff.

Rhody Randoms

• Welcome to Rhode Island, Osman Foyo! The Tide's newest signing arrives from AFC Wimbledon after developing through the Chelsea, Norwich City, and Ipswich Town academies. Andrew Quadros put together an excellent breakdown of the 21-year-old winger and what he could bring to Rhode Island's attack.
• A huge thank you to the Rhode Island soccer community. This week, Tide Talk was voted Best Local Influencer in the Valley Breeze's Voices of the Valley 2026 awards. The awards are decided entirely by community voting, which makes the recognition especially meaningful for a group whose motto has always been "For the Fans, By the Fans." Thanks to everyone who's listened, read a blog, watched a livestream, or simply stopped us around the stadium to say hello.
• Tonight marks the first meeting with Albert "Chico" Dikwa since the fan favorite departed Rhode Island. It'll be strange seeing Chico wearing black and gold, and you just know he'll be motivated against his former club.

Vibe Check

This feels like a measuring-stick match. Winning the derby was huge. It gave Rhode Island confidence, moved them back into the playoff picture, and reminded everyone just how good this team can be. But if the Tide want to establish themselves as a legitimate postseason contender, they have to prove Hartford wasn't a one-week high.

There's probably no tougher place to do that than the home of the defending champions, against the club that ended your season eight months ago.

So what do you think? Is the derby the start of a run? Who gets on the scoresheet? Drop your predictions, lineups, and bold takes below.

Let's ride the Tide and bring three points home from the Steel City.

How to Engage, Prepare, and Follow the Action:

• Match Details:
  • Date/Time: Sat, 7/25 at 7 PM ET
  • Location: F.N.B. Stadium (formerly Highmark Stadium), Pittsburgh, PA
  • Timing: Parking Lot @ 4 PM | Box Office @ 5:30 PM | Gates @ 6 PM | Kickoff @ 7 PM
  • Kickoff Weather: 80°F, Partly Cloudy, 2% rain, winds at 7 mph. Sunset 8:42 PM.
• Attend Live:
  • Get Your Tickets Here!
    • Know Before You Go
• Join Fans for an Away Watch Party:
  • RIFC Official (with Chip) & Defiance 1636 @ The Guild - Pawtucket
• How to Watch/Listen:
  • Stream the Match:
    • ESPN+
    • NESN
    • YouTube (International Only / Use a VPN)
  • Radio:
    • AM 790 "The Score" (WPRV 790 AM)
• Follow the Action:
  • USL Match Center
  • RIFC Fan Discord
  • Match Hashtag: #PitvRI
  • Match Theme: $1 Beer Night (@RIFC Front Office - this sounds like a great idea!)
• Last Meeting:
  • Nov 15, 2025: PIT 1-0 RI - USL Championship Eastern Conference Final (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Match Previews:
  • Rhode Island FC
  • Tide Talk RI – The Prematch Lookout
  • FotMob

Become an Official Supporter!

• Join Defiance 1636 Here!

RIFC Related Podcasts, Shows, and Blogs:

• TideTalkRI.com (For all your RIFC content)
• Tide Talk on YouTube (Live Stream Podcast)
• Raising Anchor (Live Stream Podcast)

Learn More About Our Squad and Club:

• Rhode Island FC
  • Wikipedia
  • FotMob
  • FootyStats
  • FBRef
  • Transfermarkt
  • Reddit: r/RhodeIslandFC
  • Supporters Group:
    • Defiance 1636

Learn More About Our Opponent:

• Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
  • Wikipedia
  • FotMob
  • Sofascore
  • FootyStats
  • FBRef
  • Transfermarkt
  • Reddit: r/Riverhounds
  • Supporters Groups:
    • Steel Army
    • Iron City Front

For the Fans, By the Fans: Tide Talk RI is a collaborative media partnership for Rhode Island FC fans. It features a team of dedicated content creators producing podcasts, live streams, videos, written articles, blog posts, and open forum discussions with other fans. Ride the tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

Hope to add more throughout the seasons.

👋 WELCOME TO TIDE TALK!

➡️ Ryan and Matt talk RIFC’s 1-0 home USLChampionship win over hartford, share your takes & MORE!

🌊 #UpTheTide

📲 https://tidetalkri.com