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PAWTUCKET — Wednesday night's game at Centreville Bank Stadium will be a showcase as much as it will be a match.
For Rhode Island FC it’s a chance to compare itself to the MLS’ New England Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 32. For Rhode Island’s northern neighbors, it’s an opportunity to reign over the region, at least when it comes to soccer.
The rare USL Championship vs. MLS matchup is RIFC’s first game against the country’s top league. It’s a natural rivalry, with bragging rights and a spot in the Round of 16 up for grabs. The Open Cup is the oldest active professional soccer tournament in the country and the third-longest continuously run national cup competition in the world. The U.S. Open Cup has been played every year since 1913 except for 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to be the best version of ourselves," RIFC coach Khano Smith said, after RIFC’s inaugural game. "I don't think that's going to be hard for them. The players are going to be locked in, and they're going to have that extra little bit of focus and being dialed in."
Seven current RIFC stars played in the New England Revolution’s Academy youth club. Zachary Herivaux played for the Revs’ senior team, as did Smith from 2005 to 2008 and again in 2010. RIFC co-founder Michael Parkhurst also played for the Revs from 2008 to 2015.
The remaining players know the importance of playing, and potentially beating, the Revolution.
“I think we are going to continue to grow as the season goes on,” RIFC’s Maxi Rodriguez said, after the team's May 3 home opener. “I like scoring against MLS clubs. I like beating MLS clubs in the Open Cup. I've done it before, so I’m hoping we can do that. A lot of guys come from that academy system, so they'll have a chip on their shoulders. If you can't get up for that game, then you shouldn't be playing football.”
Smith won the Open Cup in 2007 with the Revs and began his coaching career in their academy system. The bench boss has downplayed the game’s importance to this point, but he has every reason to want to capture a win. If the Revs play spoiler, they will forever be remembered as the first club to win at the new stadium.
“We're going to have to get lucky,” Smith said of the match. “We're going to have to suffer at times. [Revolution coach Caleb Porter] has done an excellent job recently. We're going to have to be at our best. We respect everybody, but we don't fear anybody.”
The Open Cup’s first championship was held at Coats Field in Pawtucket in 1914. A champion has been crowned every year, except for 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The competition is the only U.S.-based team sport in which amateurs have the chance to play professionals in direct competition.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. game went on sale as soon as the match was announced. To purchase tickets, visit rhodeislandfc.com/tickets and select single-game tickets.
If you can’t make it to Pawtucket’s Centreville Bank Stadium, the game will be streamed live on Paramount+. A subscription to Paramount+ is needed.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RIFC vs. the New England Revolution: What to know about the Open Cup
Continue reading...
For Rhode Island FC it’s a chance to compare itself to the MLS’ New England Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 32. For Rhode Island’s northern neighbors, it’s an opportunity to reign over the region, at least when it comes to soccer.
The rare USL Championship vs. MLS matchup is RIFC’s first game against the country’s top league. It’s a natural rivalry, with bragging rights and a spot in the Round of 16 up for grabs. The Open Cup is the oldest active professional soccer tournament in the country and the third-longest continuously run national cup competition in the world. The U.S. Open Cup has been played every year since 1913 except for 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to be the best version of ourselves," RIFC coach Khano Smith said, after RIFC’s inaugural game. "I don't think that's going to be hard for them. The players are going to be locked in, and they're going to have that extra little bit of focus and being dialed in."
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Seven current RIFC stars played in the New England Revolution’s Academy youth club. Zachary Herivaux played for the Revs’ senior team, as did Smith from 2005 to 2008 and again in 2010. RIFC co-founder Michael Parkhurst also played for the Revs from 2008 to 2015.
The remaining players know the importance of playing, and potentially beating, the Revolution.
“I think we are going to continue to grow as the season goes on,” RIFC’s Maxi Rodriguez said, after the team's May 3 home opener. “I like scoring against MLS clubs. I like beating MLS clubs in the Open Cup. I've done it before, so I’m hoping we can do that. A lot of guys come from that academy system, so they'll have a chip on their shoulders. If you can't get up for that game, then you shouldn't be playing football.”
Smith won the Open Cup in 2007 with the Revs and began his coaching career in their academy system. The bench boss has downplayed the game’s importance to this point, but he has every reason to want to capture a win. If the Revs play spoiler, they will forever be remembered as the first club to win at the new stadium.
“We're going to have to get lucky,” Smith said of the match. “We're going to have to suffer at times. [Revolution coach Caleb Porter] has done an excellent job recently. We're going to have to be at our best. We respect everybody, but we don't fear anybody.”
You must be registered for see images attach
The Open Cup’s first championship was held at Coats Field in Pawtucket in 1914. A champion has been crowned every year, except for 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The competition is the only U.S.-based team sport in which amateurs have the chance to play professionals in direct competition.
How to buy tickets for RIFC vs. New England Revolution
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. game went on sale as soon as the match was announced. To purchase tickets, visit rhodeislandfc.com/tickets and select single-game tickets.
You must be registered for see images attach
How to watch RIFC vs. New England Revolution
If you can’t make it to Pawtucket’s Centreville Bank Stadium, the game will be streamed live on Paramount+. A subscription to Paramount+ is needed.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RIFC vs. the New England Revolution: What to know about the Open Cup
Continue reading...
