'They definitely grew as a team': Rhode Island FC finding its way through four games

SMITHFIELD — Rhode Island FC again left the pitch without its first win.

But Saturday night game at Beirne Stadium wasn’t a complete loss for RIFC. The club dealt with foul trouble as it garnered six yellow cards. Rhode Island’s captain, Conor McGlynn, was sent off after his second yellow of the game at the 70th minute.

Down a man and without its starting goalie from the opening whistle, RIFC kept its composure and earned a 0-0 draw against Charleston Battery. It’s the third tie for the club in the first four games of the season.

“The red card is what it is, but for them to react, and to have finished the game that way, very proud of them,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “The guys that are veterans are encouraging everybody; they definitely grew as a team.”

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RIFC's top goalie, Koke Vegas, was out due to a hamstring injury and Jackson Lee started in his place.

“A red card always makes the team come together,” Lee said. “It can go one of two ways — either you sort-of fold or you come together, and I think we did really well to come together. I think we dominated that second half from the outset.”

Lee came up big several times. In the 35th minute, he stretched to his left and punched away a shot to the short post to keep the game tied. And in stoppage, Lee denied a header to his right off a curling service into the box.

After surrendering four goals to Tampa Bay on March 30, Lee stamped the history books with the club’s first clean sheet.

“I don't make those saves without the defenders,” Lee said. “There was a lot of shots that were blocked and chances that were killed outside the box without me having to make the save.”

RIFC had two true scoring chances as Albert Dikwa won possession on the right side and curled in a left-footed service to Stephen Turnbull, whose header on net was denied in the 55th minute. Ten minutes later, McGlynn’s helper found Joe Brito, who took one touch before his close-range shot was deflected and hit the post.

“Scoring goals is something that you cannot control,” Dikwa said. “Obviously, the thing that I can completely provide is my energy for the team by the defense.”

Smith noted his club plays with an aggressive style — Clay Holstad was tagged with a yellow card four minutes into the game. Charleston was tabbed for just one yellow card.

“Some of those fouls weren’t warranted a yellow card in my opinion,” Smith said. “I wouldn't want that to change that [aggressiveness]. There’s a difference between being aggressive and being violent or being stupid. They’re making soccer plays and not doing anything reckless.”

Rhode Island FC's next game is at home again on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

jrousseau@providencejournal.com

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