Rhode Island FC opens to sellout crowd

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island FC hosted the first match in club history Saturday on the campus of Bryant University, finishing in a 1-1 tie against New Mexico United.

In its sold-out debut, Rhode Island’s newest professional soccer club attracted fans from across the Ocean State.

“This is history in the making. I bought my tickets in November of 2022. It’s really cool to see it come to fruition, finally. Thousands of fans here, it’s a bigger turnout than I expected,” said Eddie Castello.

Rhode Island will play at a temporary home at Bryant University while construction of their permanent home continues.

A sea of blue more than 5,000 members strong gathered to support the Pawtucket-based team.

Local boys Kevin Vang and Nate Silveira are the newest hometown heroes, proving an endless realm of possibilities for the next generation of Rhode Island athletes.

“That’s one of the first things that I looked up, if there was any hometown talent. I hope that we can continue to send kids from our community, from Rhode Island in this pipeline and help them reach their dreams,” Steven Lobby said.

“I think it’s special. I think those guys earned their spot, and I think there is a future star somewhere watching the game here tonight,” said club co-founder Michael Parkhurst.

And so much more than just a game.

“This team was built for all of Rhode Island. This is for all of us,” Brian Maher of Pawtucket said.

Saturday night’s sell out against New Mexico was a culmination of more than five years of unwavering determination to establish America’s smallest state as a force within the world of professional soccer.

“You know, they built it up, this team from the bottom up, talked to the community, listened to us. I was a PawSox fan, so I was sad to see them leave, but to see this team here for Rhode Island today, there’s nothing better than that,” Maher said.

Rhode Island FC heads to California to take on Monterey Bay on March 24.