RIFC Prepares For Second Showdown With Hartford In Jagermeister Cup Match Saturday
Rhode Island FC Press Release
WHAT
Rhode Island FC returns to Centreville Bank Stadium to face Hartford Athletic in the group stage of the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup.
WHO
Rhode Island FC
Hartford Athletic
WHEN
Saturday, July 26
7:00 p.m. ET
WHERE
Centreville Bank Stadium
11 Tidewater St.
Pawtucket, R.I. 02860
BROADCAST
NESN, ESPN+
RADIO
790 The Score (790 AM)
THEME
WHITE HOT
GAME PREVIEW
Hartford Athletic began its first-ever Jägermesiter Cup run in dominant fashion, keeping pressure on first-place Rhode Island FC with a 2-0 win over USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine on April 26. In its second game, a pair of long-range goals from Samuel Caraga earned him Player of the Round honors and helped carry Hartford to a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over USL League One side Westchester SC. Last time out in the competition, Hartford looked set to continue its course after taking an early 2-0 lead vs. Detroit City FC at home. However, the Connecticut club faltered for the first time when Detroit fought its way back to tie the game, and went on to win the penalty shootout to take home the extra point. The unbeaten record through three games has the Green & Blue sitting second in Group 4 on seven points. A win in regulation vs. Rhode Island FC would see Hartford take the top spot in the group and earn automatic qualification to the knockout stage. Any other result will lead to RIFC topping the group, and force Hartford to rely on one of two Wild Card spots, which go to the best two second-place teams, to advance. The formula for Hartford is simple: win and you’re in.
Rhode Island FC is the only club better than Hartford Athletic in Group 4. Boasting a perfect 3W-0L-0T record, the Ocean State attack has been consistently dominant with 4-1 wins over USL League One sides Portland Hearts of Pine and Westchester SC, as well as a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The two 4-1 wins matched the third-highest single-game goalscoring tally in club history, and firmly established Rhode Island FC as the team to beat in Group 4. Despite the flying start, RIFC still have work to do. A win or tie vs. its regional rivals on Saturday would secure the first-place spot in the group and guarantee advancement to the knockout stage of the competition. A loss would see RIFC finish second, and force it to rely on one of the two Wild Card spots to advance. In last weekend’s 0-0 tie, RIFC outshot Hartford 15-6, held the Green & Blue without a single shot on target, and didn’t allow Hartford a single shot through the final 41 minutes of the game. Surpassing 10 shots for the first time in four games, RIFC forced three fantastic saves out of Hartford goalkeeper Antony Siaha, and dominated possession on the attack for the majority of the game.
