Rhode Island FC have a quick turnaround. After returning to action this past Saturday at Tidewater, they're heading across the country to take on Sacramento Republic. It'll be the fourth ever meeting between the two teams but the first one to be in Sacramento. As for the previous results, the two teams drew 2-2 in 2024. Last season, Sacramento won 2-0 in the league and then won on penalties in the Jagermeister Cup Semifinal after a 0-0 draw. But of course, it's a new season in 2026. So here's what to look out for on Wednesday night:

Last Time Out

Rhode Island FC drew 1-1 with Orange County SC this past weekend. Hugo Bacharach scored from a corner to give RIFC a 1-0 lead but Ousmane Sylla tied it for Orange County and both teams came away with a point. I thought RIFC had the slightly better play but in the end a draw was probably the result the game deserved. The biggest takeaway from this game though as we head to Sacramento is that Clay Holstad looked to have suffered a serious injury right before halftime. He will be a huge miss.

Players to Watch

• Hugo Bacharach (MF)
  • Hugo has been awesome in midfield for this team. Sure, he got a goal last game but even without that he's been fantastic over these last five games. With his normal midfield partner in Clay Holstad likely out, he becomes even more important
• Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF)
  • Amos is the likely and really only option to replace Clay in midfield. Unless Khano decides to put a certain defender there, which I pray does not happen. Amos had a brilliant game against Orange County and he'll need to bring that same energy on Wednesday night
• Noah Fuson (FW)
  • I think it's about time Noah gets his starting role back. I haven't been impressed with Pity Rodriguez all season after I had some high expectations for him coming in. Noah is the most obvious choice to be his replacement and I'd love to see a Noah redemption arc. Not as much as Ryan would though

Storyline

Midfield Maladies

As I've already mentioned, Clay Holstad is going to be out for this one and I'm thinking the foreseeable future. I hope somehow I'm wrong. But without Clay, RIFC really need other players to step up in midfield. It's really unfortunate then that Zach Herivaux is also out. That pretty much just leaves Hugo and Amos as your natural pair in the double pivot. Hugo is technically a natural CB but he's played enough midfield now that it counts as natural in my opinion.

The other option here is to move Grant Stoneman to the midfield but with Hamady Diop out in the back line, you likely need Grant there. And even if that wasn't an issue, Grant isn't the guy to play in the middle. Especially not alongside Hugo. But as I always say, this is why Khano gets paid the big bucks. He'll have to figure this out soon or RIFC could be in a lot of trouble starting on Wednesday night.

Last Time Out

Sacramento Republic were supposed to play this past Saturday at FC Tulsa. But the game ended up getting postponed due to inclement weather. So they haven't actually played since June 20th, when they lost at home against New Mexico United. A second half goal from Dayonn Harris was the difference in the game as it ended 1-0. But I have to talk about the way the goal was scored. The Sacramento goalkeeper inexplicably came a mile off his line to try to get to a ball that he was never going to reach. Harris chipped it over him into an empty net. Absolutely hilarious goal. The real takeaway here though is just that Sacramento will have had two and a half weeks off while RIFC are playing on short rest.

Players to Watch

• Danny Vitiello (GK)
  • Despite the laughable goal he conceded against New Mexico, Vitiello is a USL legend. He's in his fifth season now with Sacramento after having spent two in Pittsburgh. Vitiello is almost always solid in net is always one to watch when Sacramento play
• Mark-Anthony Kaye (MF)
  • Kaye was a fantastic signing this off-season for Sacramento. He had been in MLS since 2018, playing for 5 different teams (LAFC, Colorado, Toronto, New England, San Jose). He's been Sacramento's best midfielder this season with his primary strength being the defensive side of the game
• Jack Gurr (RB)
  • How could I not mention the diminutive right back? Like Vitiello, Gurr is in his fifth season with Sacramento. He's always a threat to provide assists as in his last three seasons, he's had 8, 10, and 7. This year he only has one so far but he has plenty of time to make up the numbers. Hopefully that doesn't start on Wednesday

Storyline

Well Below Standards

Sacramento are currently 10th in the Western Conference. They have the exact same record as RIFC, with 4 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses this season. It's well below where the team wants to be. If you look at their recent seasons, Sacramento finished first in the conference in 2023, fifth in 2024, and third in 2025. They're seemingly always near the top. So it's a bit surprising that they haven't found their form yet this season.

What it comes down to is a lack of goal-scoring. Sacramento have the second fewest goals scored this season with 13 across 12 games. Only Hartford have scored fewer. Their top goal-scorer is Michelle Benitez, who has 3. He is an attack minded left back. And two of those goals were penalties. Their main striker is Forster Ajago, and he has two goals this year (both from open play). The defense has been solid as it typically is but if they can't get goals, it isn't going to matter all that much.

Prediction

Rhode Island FC 1-1 Sacramento Republic

The short rest and travel across the country is going to hinder RIFC here. With Sacramento having all that time off, they should be well-rested and ready to go. They did have to travel to Tulsa this weekend so it isn't like they've been sitting at home. But still, not having to play should benefit them. It still feels weird after 2025 but I do back RIFC to score. I just think Sacramento will will have some extra energy and use that to get themselves on the board as well. A second consecutive tight 1-1 draw looks to be on the cards.

Final Thoughts

It's great to be back blogging about RIFC. And how nice of this game to take place on the first day we'll have without any World Cup games since that tournament began on June 11th. It's been an incredible summer of soccer so far and I'm thrilled that RIFC get to be back involved in that. We have a late 10:30pm kickoff in this one and I'll be at home on my couch, no caffeine needed to get through it.

I'll be back here after the game with the Riptide Report, which I should have out right after the game. No excuses here when I'm watching from my couch. Until then though, as always, UP THE TIDE!