The "Force" was not with Khano Smith and his Rhode Island FC side this weekend, as the Ocean State club saw their unbeaten home record in 2026 shattered on a high-stakes "Star Wars Night."
In front of a packed crowd at Centreville Bank Stadium, Rhode Island fell to a clinical Birmingham Legion FC in a 3-1 defeat. Despite the festive atmosphere, the hosts found themselves trailing early before Leo Afonso restored parity with a well-taken first-half equaliser. However, the visitors seized control after the interval, netting two unanswered goals to condemn Smith’s side to their first loss on home soil this season.
Across the Atlantic, there was similar heartbreak for Nia Christopher in the Icelandic top flight. Her FH Hafnarfjörður side appeared to be in control against Throttur W after Berglind Hlynsdottir fired them ahead just before half-time. However, the momentum shifted in the 58th minute when Sigridur Gudmunsdottir drew Throttur level. A tense finale followed, but it was Kayla Rollins who struck the decisive blow in the 84th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for the hosts, leaving Christopher and her teammates empty-handed.
In the National Women's Soccer League, Bermudian forward Mia Fishel helped Seattle Reign FC grind out a gritty point on the road. On a rain-lashed night at Shell Energy Stadium, the Reign were forced to display immense defensive resolve against a relentless Houston Dash. Despite weathering a wave of late pressure, Seattle held firm to ensure the spoils were shared in a 0-0 draw.
It was a quieter afternoon for Leilanni Nesbeth, who remained an unused substitute as her Chicago Stars fell to a 2-0 home defeat against the Portland Thorns FC. The Stars struggled to find their rhythm against the perennial contenders, leaving Nesbeth to watch from the sidelines as the Thorns clinical finishing proved the difference in the Windy City.
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