For Rhode Island sports fans, losing the Pawtucket Red Sox left a bit of a sting; but it was quickly replaced by the anticipation of a locally based professional soccer team. They would join the USL Championship league (a notch below Major League Soccer). Some people didn’t think soccer would succeed in RI, especially with the proposed stadium, while others were salivating at a new professional sports team making their way to this state to share fandom with the Providence Bruins.
“As someone who thought the Pawsox would be irreplaceable, it was a pretty encouraging opening season,” says sports fan Aaron Jaehnig. “The soccer was fun to watch, and with the combination of intimacy and and the excitement of a supporters section that sang and drummed for every second of every 90 minutes it was a blast for my whole family.”
Fans got to watch firsthand a team being built, from the ground up, starting with the announcement of Team President Brett Luy, followed by head coach and general manager Khano Smith, and then the player signings. In between, the team chose a name, Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC); a crest full of local easter eggs, and a harbor seal mascot, Chip. They became a presence in the community and earned a lot of hype before their inaugural season even started, selling out their first game.
There were some hiccups, especially with the stadium at Tidewater Landing. The development was pitched as a mixed-use development with an indoor event center, a hotel, restaurants, and retail. Due to setbacks, the stadium couldn’t be built (or even started) in time, which led the team to partner with Bryant University and call Beirne Stadium their temporary home.
Fast forward to mid-March on a beautiful and picturesque day that was made for soccer. First game…
The games weren’t always as pretty as that first one. They went five games before notching their first win (one loss and four draws), and the outdoor weather wasn’t always as kind, which led to varying crowd sizes. There were groups of dedicated fans that stayed loyal throughout, including supporter group Defiance 1636.
Between games, the team further built their presence in the community by being present at any event they could. It got to the point that the league told them they were making the other teams look bad, which goes to show that their purpose of “building a club for all Rhode Island” was more than a catchy phrase.
After notching their first win on April 20, they didn’t win again for another two months, beating top-seeded Louisville FC 5-2. That victory jump-started their season, creating a hot streak for the rest of the season that finished with a 12-7-15 record. They made the playoffs as a five-seed.
The team had a lot of buzz and support for their playoff run. Being a first-year team, just making the playoffs was a triumph, but the team was determined to make some noise for their growing fanbase. There were watch parties at multiple locations throughout the state, with the official watch party at Thirsty Beaver in Smithfield. RIFC beat Indy Eleven 3-2. They went on to win their next two games to become the first Eastern Conference team ever to make the finals in their inaugural season.
RIFC flew to Colorado to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for a nationally televised finals match. The game was at noon local time, which meant that they were playing at 10 am in the highest altitude in the country. This didn’t bode well for them, and they fell 3-0, but the local fans were happy and celebrating throughout the watch party at Moonshine Alley.
Even though RIFC didn’t take home the championship trophy, the season went well beyond expectations. They built a strong and loyal fanbase, made a name for themselves in the community, and created a winning culture. They thanked their fans with a celebratory block party at The Guild days after the season ended.
Notes From the Bleachers:
I asked fans and season ticket holders their overall thoughts on RIFC’s inaugural season, both on and off the field.
Paul Quinn:
I think the hopes that I had for this past season were likely shared by the new fan base in general. I wanted a competitive team with a fun and friendly atmosphere surrounding the matches themselves. I knew that I would like the team, but I was hoping that I would be able to really embrace the RIFC and my fellow fans, giving me the desire to continue my attendance. All of my hopes were surpassed this past season. The team excelled on the pitch, management did a very good job including the fans with their outreach, and I enjoyed meeting and talking to other people that were attending the matches throughout the season. I not only embrace the RIFC, but beyond that I really have developed a sense of pride in the team and its fan base. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and the new stadium.
John Quinn:
I grew up playing and watching baseball, going to Fenway and McCoy. I also enjoyed football (former Pats season ticket holder), basketball and hockey. However, I had never been to a professional soccer match prior to being a RIFC season ticket holder this year. My experience with soccer was watching three out of my four children play youth soccer and following the world cup on TV. I was a casual fan, at best.
This year going to RIFC matches at Bryant has been an enlightening experience. I did not expect to see the level of constant pressure on the pitch, and the changing strategies of the offense and defense during the matches. The continual singing and drumming from the supporter’s section was fun to hear. And we were fortunate to have some of the players (who were not selected for a given match) sit near us. They were extremely personable, as we got opportunities to say hello and see how they were doing. Overall, our group had fun going to the matches and we have already purchased our season tickets for next year at Tidewater. I am even trying to expand my newly found love of soccer by following both college soccer and the EPL (with hope that Ipswich does well because of the team’s connection with RIFC’s Brett Johnson).
Bruce Moravec
RIFC’s inaugural season was beyond expectations.
Aaron Jaehnig
Some appreciate soccer more than others. and watching my kids and their friends clamor to meet players and get autographs brought me back to the ’80s when I was doing the same thing at Mccoy stadium. Hopefully the home stadium can continue that atmosphere and remove the astronomical parking fees of the stadium at Bryant. We are very much looking forward to season number two.
