Rhode Island FC advances to conference final after 2-0 victory over North Carolina

Rhode Island FC is moving on in the USL Championship playoffs.

Albert Dikwa found the net twice late in Saturday’s match at North Carolina FC to lift the Ocean State club to a 2-0 victory at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The victory means, for the second straight season, RIFC will be playing in the Eastern Conference Final with a chance to play for the league title.

North Carolina has had RIFC’s number in the previous two meetings at First Horizon Soccer Stadium, earning shutout wins in both matches. That changed on Friday night, thanks to Dikwa’s goals.

The first score, in the 81st minute, came on a header from the left side of the six-yard box that found the bottom left corner. Noah Fuson got the assist. The second score came in the 90th minute when Dikwa’s right-footed blast from more than 35 yards out found the bottom right corner of the net, following a fast break.

With the win, Rhode Island will advance to the conference final set for next week (Date/time TBD), against the winner of Saturday’s semifinal matchup between Detroit FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Earlier this week, news broke that North Carolina FC will not field a team in the UFL Championship next season. First reported by The Athletic, North Carolina’s players were informed of the news as the club prepared for their playoff game against Rhode Island. All players under contract will be released after the season and can sign elsewhere. Those with guaranteed deals will receive about two months’ salary, per the report.