Rhode Island
Rhode Island FC Finds Uneasy Stride
Rhode Island FC secured a 3-2 victory over Miami FC at FIU Stadium, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches,by far the longest of their inaugural campaign.
RIFC defender Frank Nodarse and striker Albert “Chico” Dikwa were pivotal with goals, giving RIFC a commanding 3-0 lead. Despite late efforts from Miami, which included goals from Frank Lopez and Roberto Molino — Rhode Island FC’s defending proved enough to clinch the win – if only just barely.
This victory marks RIFC’S third in the last five games, positioning them strongly for upcoming matches against Birmingham Legion FC and North Carolina FC and the playoff run in the back half of the season.
The first half saw Rhode Island open the scoring in the 11th minute when Marc Ybarra set up Nodarse for a headed goal from a free kick. Miami FC responded with early pressure but failed to convert its chances, including a close opportunity for Frank Lopez in the 37th minute.
Later, in first-half stoppage time, Dikwa extended RIFC’s lead with a well-taken volley that hit the crossbar before going in, assisted by RIFC defender Karifa Yao. This one may not be without controversy as multiple players collided ahead of the shot and completely obscured the play in front of Miami goalkeeper Felipe Rodriguez.
Although Rhode Island scored twice in the first half, the second half proved even more exciting as Dikwa continued his scoring spree early, heading in RIFC winger Jojea Kwizera’s cross to make it 3-0. Dikwa and Kwizera have made a deadly pair in recent weeks accounting for several of Rhode Island’s goals and assists.
However, despite Rhode Island FC’s commanding lead Miami FC were not out. First, they managed to pull one back in the 62nd minute through Frank Lopez’s deflected shot, which beat RIFC goalkeeper Koke Vegas; who had reclaimed the spot from fellow goalkeeper Jackson Lee.
Miami, smelling blood in the water, intensified their attack and scored again in the 78th minute through Roberto Molino but Rhode Island FC held on defensively to see out the match in front of a very sparse Miami home crowd.
Both Jackson Lee and Koke Vegas have put in star turns between the sticks this season but they have also both allowed head-scratching goals that have — at times — allowed opponents back into games,and cost Rhode Island key points. Will RIFC head coach Khano Smith continue to ride the hot hand, or will he have a clear No. 1 going forward? Only time will tell.
Rhode Island FC will play away to Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday, July 17 at 8 pm ET before returning home to host North Carolina FC on Saturday, July 27 at 7:30 pm ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Blood Center is asking for donations after the fatal shooting at Brown University on Saturday.
Several donor centers have extended hours available as they respond to the emergency.
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Anyone interested can sign up for an appointment on the organization’s website.
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Blood Center’s blood supply was low before Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, and it is immediately stepping up blood drives to meet the need, an official said Sunday.
“We were definitely dealing with some issues with inventory going into the incident,” Executive Director of Blood Operations Nicole Pineault said.
The supply was especially low for Type 0 positive and negative, which are often needed for mass casualty incidents, she said. Type 0 negative is considered the “universal” red blood donor, because it can be safely given to patients of any blood type.
Pineault attributed the low supply to weather, illness, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. With more people working from home, blood drives at office buildings are smaller, and young people — including college students — are not donating blood at the same rate as they did in the past, she said.
“There are a lot challenges,” she said.
But people can help by donating blood this week, Pineault said, suggesting they go to ribc.org or contact the Rhode Island Blood Center at (401) 453-8383 or (800) 283-8385.
The donor room at 405 Promenade St. in Providence is open seven days a week, Pineault said. Blood drives were already scheduled for this week at South Street Landing in Providence and at Brown Physicians, and the blood center is looking to add more blood drives in the Providence area this week, she said.
“It breaks my heart,” Pineault said of the shooting. “It’s a terrible tragedy. We run blood dives regularly on the Brown campus. Our heart goes out to all of the victims and the staff. We want to work with them to get the victims what they need.”
She said she cannot recall a similar mass shooting in Rhode Island.
“In moments of tragedy, it’s a reminder to the community how important the blood supply really is,” Pineault said. “It’s an easy way to give back, to help your neighbors, and be ready in unfortunate situations like this.”
The Rhode Island Blood Center has donor centers in Providence, Warwick, Middletown, Narragansett, and Woonsocket, and it has mobile blood drives, she noted.
On Sunday, the center’s website said “Donors urgently needed. Hours extended at some donor centers, 12/14.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Authorities said two people were killed and eight more were injured in a mass shooting at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island. Authorities said students were on campus for the second day of final exams.
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