Rhode Island FC prolonged its shutout streak to 2 matches on Saturday at Beirne Stadium because the Ocean State membership battled to its second-consecutive 0-0 draw at residence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Goalkeeper Jackson Lee continued to impress in his third-straight begin, making three key saves on the way in which to his second skilled clear sheet and Man of the Match honor.
As each golf equipment started to settle into the match after a quiet begin, RIFC ultimately pressured the primary save of the night time from Pittsburgh goalkeeper Eric Dick within the twenty third minute. After a fast passing sequence lower by means of the protection down the left wing, Noah Fuson received on the tip of a low cross that struck the shin of a defender, earlier than the rebound fell to an onrushing Marc Ybarra from distance. The previous Pittsburgh midfielder discovered the goal with a roller in the direction of the highest left nook, however the shot didn’t have sufficient tempo as Dick was fast to react and make the seize.
By way of the opening 45 minutes, RIFC outshot Pittsburgh 6-3, with the guests’ solely alternatives coming from a pair of photographs that flew north of the crossbar from exterior the field within the last 10 minutes.
Early within the second half, Rhode Island FC continued to pile on stress, creating flashes of optimistic buildup play within the last third. Regardless of dominating the second-half possession battle with 59 p.c, the homeside was unable to seek out the crowning glory.
The guests almost broke the impasse within the 77th minute when a low cross discovered the ft of Edward Kizza from the highest of the six-yard field. The ahead redirected the ball in the direction of the body, however a incredible reflex save from the leg of goalkeeper Jackson Lee saved Pittsburgh off the scoreboard. Recovering rapidly, the 22-year-old shot-stopper dove again as much as save a follow-up from Emmanuel Johnson to finish the double-save and deny the guests one in all its greatest possibilities of the match.
Pittsburgh as soon as once more had a golden likelihood to win the match 9 minutes into second half stoppage time when Kizza took benefit of a miscued clearance on the prime of the field. With Lee out of the goalmouth after popping out to punch a harmful ball away, Kizza had an open purpose to shoot at, however Ybarra got here to the rescue with a sliding goal-line clearance to maintain the match scoreless.
Regardless of outshooting and out-possessing Pittsburgh by means of 90 minutes, RIFC as soon as once more struggled to seek out the again of the online because the seek for its first-ever win continues. Kizza’s shot turned out to be the final motion of the match, forcing each squads to accept their second-consecutive scoreless attracts.
Rhode Island FC is again in motion in its first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, April 16 when the membership travels to American Legion Memorial Stadium to tackle USL League One facet Charlotte Independence at 7:30 p.m. The match shall be streamed dwell through usopencup.com, mlssoccer.com and uslsoccer.com, and followers may cheer on their membership from the Official Rhode Island FC Watch Get together at Moniker Brewery in Windfall.
RIFC will return to USL Championship play on Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET when the staff travels out west to tackle Las Vegas Lights FC. Followers can come collectively to cheer on the membership at the Official Rhode Island FC Watch Get together at 78 Pub at This Man’s Pizza in Johnston. After a fast turnaround, RIFC is again at Beirne Stadium on Friday, April 26 to tackle Phoenix Rising FC at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the following residence match can be found now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- With its second-consecutive clear sheet, RIFC prolonged its club-best shutout streak to 185 minutes. The staff final conceded within the 90+5 minute of the membership’s 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay Rowdies on March 30.
- By way of 5 common season matches, the Ocean State membership has not conceded a single purpose within the first half. RIFC is undefeated (0W-3D-0L) at Beirne Stadium this 12 months.
- RIFC’s Albert Dikwa “Chico” performed his 10,000th minute within the USL Championship towards his former membership, and served because the membership’s third-ever captain.
- Mark Ybarra additionally featured towards his former membership, rescuing a degree within the dying moments with a sliding goal-line clearance to disclaim Edward Kizza’s open-goal alternative.
- Jackson Lee recorded his second-straight clear sheet and the second clear sheet in membership historical past. The 22-year-old made three saves on his technique to a second-consecutive Man of the Match efficiency.
- The Perth, Australia native stepped in for an injured Koke Vegas late in RIFC’s 2-2 draw at Monterey Bay F.C. on March 24, and has assumed the beginning function ever since.
- Former Windfall Friar Nathan Messer made his skilled debut for Rhode Island FC within the second half, approaching in its place within the 79th minute.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jackson Lee
Match stats and knowledge accessible right here.
Supply: Rhode Island FC
