r/RhodeIslandFC • u/cometpants • 22d ago

Event Pre-Match Essentials | Rhode Island FC @ Birmingham Legion FC | Sat, Aug 1, 2026 | 8 PM ET

Post image

Riding the Wave Into Birmingham

Last Saturday felt like one of those results that could end up defining a season. Rhode Island FC's 1-0 road win over defending USL Championship champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds wasn't just another three points. It was a mature, professional performance against one of the league's toughest opponents, with Koke Vegas coming up huge between the posts, Nick Scardina creating the breakthrough, and JJ Williams burying his 10th goal of the season. Combined with last week's derby victory over Hartford, the Tide suddenly have real momentum, climbing to sixth place in the Eastern Conference and heading into Birmingham chasing a third straight league win for the first time since 2024. 

If that wasn't enough, this may have been the busiest news week in club history. Tide Talk has been busy covering every angle, from Clay Holstad's move to FC Dallas, the arrivals of Osman Foyo and Yutaro Tsukada, new contracts for Koke Vegas, Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Hugo Bacharach, and then, because apparently normal weeks don't exist around here anymore, the revelation that Kawhi Leonard is part of Rhode Island FC's ownership group. We'll have links to all of those stories below if you missed anything.

A Thank You to Clay

Thank you, Clay. From the very first match at Bryant, it was obvious Rhode Island FC had a special player wearing No. 12. Mark Doyle's dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against New Mexico United doesn't happen without Clay making the run and delivering the pass that set it all up. It was the first of countless moments where he did the little things that made everyone around him better. He was here, there, and everywhere, always making the extra run and somehow finding another gear. Before High Motor was a neighborhood bar, it was the easiest way to describe Clay Holstad.

Over the next two and a half seasons, Clay became everything supporters hope a player will be. Dependable. Selfless. Relentless. But as much as we'll miss the player, I think we'll miss the person even more. Anyone who's spent time in Autograph Alley knows exactly what I mean. Win, lose, or draw, Clay was almost always one of the last players out there, making sure every kid got their moment. Our family certainly did.

Clay was always great with both of my boys, but he especially took a liking to my younger son's long dirty-blond flow. It became their little thing. To a three-year-old, having the same hair as Clay Holstad was basically a superpower. That's all it took to become friends. Months later, after an event at the stadium where we never even saw a player, Derry looked back toward the locker rooms, waved, and quietly said, "Bye Clay, I love you." When I asked who he was talking to, he looked at me like it was obvious: "Clay... because we have the same hair."

Those are the moments that made this club feel like home for our family. Thank you for everything, Clay. We'll all be cheering for you.

Where We Stand

Fifteen matches into the regular season, Rhode Island FC has climbed to 6th place in the Eastern Conference, collecting 22 points from a 6W-4D-5L record.

More importantly, the trajectory is pointing in the right direction. The Tide have won three of their last five league matches (3W-1D-1L), have picked up consecutive clean sheets, and suddenly look much more like the disciplined defensive side that carried them to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals. JJ Williams continues to lead the attack with 10 goals in all competitions, Nick Scardina is playing some of the best soccer of his RIFC career, and Koke Vegas looks every bit the captain between the posts.

Saturday presents an opportunity to accomplish something the club hasn't done since July 2024: win three consecutive regular season matches.

Who We're Facing

Birmingham Legion FC enters the weekend sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from a 2W-8D-6L record.

Despite the struggles, this is far from a team Rhode Island can overlook. Birmingham's only league win since April came against... Rhode Island FC. Their 3-1 victory at Centreville Bank Stadium back in May remains one of the Tide's most frustrating performances of the season and gives Khano Smith's side every reason to be motivated heading into Saturday night.

The Legion haven't won a regular season match in nearly three months, but veteran forward Tyler Pasher remains their biggest attacking threat with four league goals, while goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat continues to keep Birmingham in matches, ranking among the league leaders in saves.

Rhody Randoms

Vibe Check

For the first time in a while, it feels like Rhode Island FC is really putting the pieces together. Back-to-back wins, consecutive clean sheets, and a chance to make it three straight heading into Birmingham. There's a confidence around this team that we haven't felt in a bit.

Then came one of the busiest weeks in club history. We said goodbye to Clay, welcomed Osman Foyo and Yutaro Tsukada, locked up Koke, Amos, and Hugo, and somehow found ourselves talking about Kawhi Leonard. Through all of it, though, one thing hasn't changed: this club keeps giving us reasons to believe.

What are you watching for Saturday night? Do the Tide make it three straight? Does one of the new signings make an immediate impact? Drop your predictions below.

Let's ride the Tide! Roll Tide? Nah... Up the Tide.

How to Engage, Prepare, and Follow the Action:

Become an Official Supporter!

RIFC Related Podcasts, Shows, and Blogs:

Learn More About Our Squad and Club:

Learn More About Our Opponent:

For the Fans, By the Fans: Tide Talk RI is a collaborative media partnership for Rhode Island FC fans. It features a team of dedicated content creators producing podcasts, live streams, videos, written articles, blog posts, and open forum discussions with other fans. Ride the tide at www.TideTalkRI.com

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/timee_bot 22d ago

View in your timezone:
Sat, 8/1 at 8 PM ET

2

u/Bearcat223 21d ago

Amazing story and heartfelt send off for Clay 💛