We Got a Semi.... Again

For the second time this season, Rhode Island FC find themselves in a Semi-Final, this time taking on North Carolina FC in the USL Championship playoffs.

It’s hard to talk about this match without discussing the off the pitch news surrounding it. Earlier this week, it was announced that NCFC would not be fielding a team in the USL next season. The team has stated that their goal is to cease operations so that they can solidify their financial standing before making a bid to be in USL Division One when the league launches.

Announcing this during a playoff run where your team could host multiple more rounds is certainly bizarre. Players who were under contract for next season are now scrambling to find their next home and the USL Player’s Association, which is already in a tense negotiation with the league for their next Collective Bargaining Agreement, has been very vocal.

Putting the player welfare issues and questionable business decisions to the side (weird sentence to write), it’s impossible to know how this news will impact the match. NCFC had one of their most successful seasons in the league finishing third in the East, but that hasn’t translated to fan support, averaging the third lowest attendance in the league this season.

Their form has also been suspect. In their last ten matches of the regular season, NCFC managed just three wins. This wasn’t a fluke - NCFC managed the third worst expected goal differential in the league over the time period compared to The Tide with the seventh best.

At the end of the day, knockout soccer is a crapshoot but you have to BELIEVE that RIFC can get it done in Cary tonight. Especially with 100 supporters including a full heaping of La Banda in attendance tonight (15 drums!!!). Safe travels, Rhode Warriors - can’t wait to hear you on the broadcast.

Reminder that the best supporter group in the country will be at The Guild tonight! Get there early as it should be a full house!

Playoff Predictions

Hands stuck to his word and is continuing his full league Playoff Predictions series. If you want the lowdown on what’s going on with the rest of the league, Hands has your back.

On to North Carolina

Prematch Lookout

Come for the game preview, stay for the roadtrip content.

Pre-Match Essentials

As always, Patrick has you covered with all of the key info and links heading into this one. Give that man an upvote!

BELIEVE

Up the Tide!

Ryan & the Tide Talk Team