Rhode Island FC Fighting for the Playoffs

Rhode Island FC is heading into one of the most important stretches of its 2026 season as the Ocean State’s professional soccer club fights for another trip to the USL Championship playoffs.

RIFC entered its September 26 match against Charleston Battery sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference. With seven regular-season matches remaining, Rhode Island faced a challenging schedule that included five of the seven clubs positioned ahead of it in the conference standings.

The club entered the Charleston match following a 2-1 home loss to Miami FC, but Rhode Island has already demonstrated that it can compete with Charleston. RIFC defeated the Battery 4-0 earlier this season at Centreville Bank Stadium and entered the latest meeting with a 4-1-2 record in seven matches against Charleston.

There is also history between the clubs. Rhode Island eliminated Charleston from postseason play in both 2024 and 2025, including its run to the Eastern Conference title during RIFC’s inaugural season.

With the regular season entering its final stretch, every point becomes increasingly important as Rhode Island FC attempts to bring playoff soccer back to Pawtucket.