Khano Smith, the Head Coach and General Manager of Rhode Island FC, saw his team maintain their flawless record against Birmingham Legion FC with a hard-fought 1-0 away victory on Wednesday night. The win at Protective Stadium in Alabama secured Rhode Island FC's second road triumph of the season and propelled them comfortably into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
An early goal from Maxi Rodriguez and a significant first-half red card to a Birmingham Legion player allowed Smith's side to seize control of the encounter and ultimately earn a valuable three points on their travels.
Rhode Island FC took the lead in the 14th minute, showcasing a well-worked attacking move. Rodriguez connected with a precise central pass from Albert Dikwa inside the penalty area. The opportunity was created after Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Noah Fuson combined effectively to force a dangerous turnover in midfield. Chico then transitioned quickly, latching onto Fuson’s pass in the final third before cutting the ball back to an onrushing Rodriguez. The midfielder, making a determined run into the 18-yard box, swiftly dispatched a composed one-touch finish into the bottom-right corner of the net, giving the Ocean State club a crucial 1-0 advantage.
The early goal and the subsequent red card for the home side put Rhode Island FC in a strong position, allowing Khano Smith's team to manage the game effectively and secure another victory against Birmingham Legion FC, continuing their perfect head-to-head record. The three points earned are a significant boost for their Eastern Conference standing as they look to build momentum in the USL Championship.
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