Bermuda Stars Shine in FA Cup Wins & RIFC Await Playoff Fate
IslandStats.com
It was a day of mixed fortunes but notable individual performances for Bermudian players across the pond, highlighted by a thrilling start to the Adobe Women's FA Cup campaigns and a tense end to the USL regular season for Khano Smith's Rhode Island FC.
Rhode Island FC (RIFC) concluded their second USL Championship regular season with a 2-1 defeat to New Mexico United at Isotopes Park. The loss was disappointing, especially after Hugo Bacharach scored his first career RIFC goal, giving the Ocean State club a late attacking boost.
However, the team will still gear up for their second-straight postseason next weekend. RIFC had already clinched their playoff berth in the USL Championship prior to this final match, meaning the focus now shifts entirely to the knockout stage. Coach Khano Smith will use the break to prepare his squad for the Conference Quarterfinals.
With the Women's teams on an international break, attention turned to the prestigious domestic cup competitions, where Bermudian talent thrived.
Kenni Thompson and her AFC Bournemouth Women teammates began their Adobe Women's FA Cup journey in sensational fashion, crushing Millbrook with an 11-0 victory. Thompson was instrumental, scoring the first two goals of the match.
She opened the scoring eight minutes in, meeting a cross and slotting the ball home with her left foot.
Thompson then doubled the lead in the 27th minute, cleverly shifting the ball onto her left foot before drilling it into the far corner. Her two goals set the tone for the massive win.
Two other Bermuda stars featured in dramatic cup ties:
Eva Frazzoni made a timely return to action for AFC Sudbury Women in their FA Cup match against Northampton Town Women. Frazzoni marked her comeback with a late goal, but it was not enough as AFC Sudbury fell just short in a tight 3-2 defeat to Northampton Town. This return to form is a big boost for the Bermuda Women's National Team.
K’Shaela Burch-Waldron and her Sutton United Women teammates advanced in thrilling style. Their match against Brentford FC Women finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and required a sudden death penalty shootout to find a winner. Sutton United held their nerve from the spot to advance to the Second Round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
Aaliyah Nolan was in inspired form, contributing two key assists as Bradford City AFC Women delivered a comprehensive 9-0 dismantling of Sunderland West End away from home in the North East Regional Women’s Premier League.
Nolan, deployed in an influential attacking role, was instrumental in setting the pace for the Bantams. Her vision and precise passing were central to the team’s overwhelming superiority, allowing Bradford to turn pressure into a massive goal tally. The victory not only secured a crucial three points but also provided a significant boost to the team's goal difference in the league standings.
Away from the intense action on the pitch, Leilanni Nesbeth took a break from her international duties to engage with fans. She stopped by Bookends & Beginnings for a special Storytime with the Stars, connecting with the community during the international window.
