Revolution to visit Rhode Island FC in US Open Cup on May 7
This will be the first meeting between the Revolution, which is playing its 30th season, and the second-year RIFC.
In its debut season a year ago, RIFC won the USL Eastern Conference before losing to Colorado Springs in the title game, and is 1-2-1, 4 points to start this year. Rhode Island defeated Portland Hearts of Pine of USL League One, 2-1, on Tuesday night in the third round in Lewiston, Maine. Clay Holstad
and Frank Nodarse scored three minutes apart in the first half for the visitors.
'I'm really happy that our players will get to showcase themselves against MLS opposition in our new stadium,' Rhode Island FC coach and general manager Khano Smith said in a statement. 'This is a great opportunity to highlight our team and club overall. For our players, it's their chance to showcase themselves at a higher level with a lot of eyes watching.'
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Smith is no stranger to the Revolution, recording eight goals and 12 assists in 101 MLS regular-season games during two stints from 2005-08 and 2010.
In the 2005 Eastern Conference semifinals, Smith scored the series-winning goal in the 83rd minute to help the Revolution defeat New York/New Jersey en route to the first of three straight MLS Cup appearances. While he did not play in the 2005 MLS Cup, Smith came off the bench in '06 and started in '07.
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Smith also featured during New England's 2007 US Open Cup title.
The Revolution did not compete in the in-season tournament a year ago, and lost in the Round of 32 in 2023 at home to Pittsburgh of USL Championship.
New England has won two of its last three games and sits 12th in the Eastern Conference at 2-4-1, 7 points. The Revolution host New York City FC on Saturday night.
The winner of the May 7 match will host the winner of the Chicago (MLS) vs. Detroit City (USL Championship) game in the Round of 16.
Keith Pearson can be reached at
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