Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith has been named USL Championship Coach of the Week after the Ocean State club's 5-2 win at Louisville City FC.
For Smith, who was recognized as the USL Championship's Coach of the Week for the second time in 2024, the win in Louisville came at a critical point in the season. With the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff position still within reach, Rhode Island FC needed a positive result to remain in the playoff picture heading into the second half of the season. After a 2-0 lead heading into second half stoppage time ended in a 2-2 draw at Memphis 901 FC in the club's previous match, Smith was determined to showcase Rhode Island FC's quality on the pitch and shock the current Players' Shield leaders.
Not only did RIFC break LouCity's perfect 7W-0L-0D start to the season at Lynn Family Stadium, the five goals scored marked the first time Louisville had conceded five times in a home match in its USL Championship history.
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