RIFC announced their first player signing on November 1, 2023,[1] and continued to add players to the team over the course of the winter. By mid-January, the team had announced 15 players under contract, and brought players and coaches together for training camp starting on January 15, 2024.
High-profile signings including Koke Vegas,[1]JJ Williams,[5] and reigning USL most valuable player and golden boot winner Albert Dikwa,[6] led to high expectations for an expansion team. The team enters the season with projections of making the USL playoffs, and being a contender for a home playoff game at the end of the season.[7]
Regular Season
March
The team played its inaugural regular season game against New Mexico United on March 16, 2024, at Beirne Stadium.[8] The game was announced as a complete sellout with attendance of 5,252 people. After falling behind in the second half, RIFC scored an equalizer in stoppage time to finish with a 1-1 draw. The goal was initially credited to Mark Doyle,[9] but was determined to be an own goal scored by New Mexico's Chris Gloster.[10]
Updated to match(es) played on April 7, 2024. Source: USL Championship Standings Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
