Rhode Island FC earns shootout victory against Charleston Battery

Takeaways

Charleston Battery: The Battery’s hopes of a third consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Final were dashed by their visitors as the highest-scoring team in the regular season was unable to find a decisive moment across 120 minutes of action, with the shootout defeat bringing back memories of its loss in the 2023 USL Championship Final.

Rhode Island FC: Having suffered notable shootout defeats to rival Hartford Athletic in the group stage and Sacramento Republic FC in the Semifinals of the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup, Rhode Island came through from the spot on this occasion, taking five strong penalty kicks to earn its place in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Key moment

Rhode Island FC’s Hugo Bacharach followed the miss by the Battery to open the fourth round of the shootout with a goal, cementing his side’s advantage on the way to victory.

Key stat

Rhode Island recorded 163 passes in the final third as the visitors held more possession in the attacking half than the Battery, with 32.4 percent of the game played in Charleston’s defensive third.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Koke Vegas, Rhode Island FC – Vegas recorded a four-save shutout, making key saves twice on Cal Jennings, and commanded his penalty area impressively throughout the contest.

Scoring Summary

No Scoring

Penalty Shootout

Charleston Battery – Aaron Molloy, scored; Rubio Rubín, scored; Arturo Rodriguez, missed; MD Myers, scored

Rhode Island FC – JJ Williams, scored; Hamady Diop, scored; Maxi Rodriguez, scored; Hugo Bacharach, scored; Aimé Mabika, scored