|
|
 |
|
Saturday, May 23, 2026
|
|
Smith's Rhode Island Record Emphatic Victory
|
Khano Smith's Rhode Island FC returned to the win column in truly emphatic fashion, powering past USL Championship expansion club Brooklyn FC with a dominant 4-1 victory at Centreville Bank Stadium.
The clinical triumph was orchestrated by second-half braces from both Jojea Kwizera and JJ Williams, who combined for three decisive goals in the final 20 minutes to secure the Ocean State club’s second consecutive result on home soil.
The scoreline reflected a highly encouraging attacking display for the former Bermuda captain and New England Revolution winger's side, who systematically dismantled a stubborn Brooklyn defensive structure.
Rhode Island signal of intent arrived in the 13th minute when Amos Shapiro-Thompson collected a loose ball on the left wing and swung a dangerous cross to the back post. Williams rose highest to meet the delivery, directing a powerful header toward goal that was brilliantly clawed away on the line by former RIFC goalkeeper Jackson Lee.
Lee produced another double-save sequence in the 22nd minute to keep the game level. Williams triggered a quick attacking move with a line-splitting pass to Leo Afonso, who raced into the box before squaring to Kwizera. The ball ricocheted off Kwizera’s body and on target, but Lee reacted instantly to deny the close-range deflection. Less than a minute later, Kwizera’s long throw found Williams, who rattled a header off the crossbar before collecting his own rebound, only for Lee to heroically scoop it away from point-blank range.
The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes before the interval. Shapiro-Thompson found Kwizera at the top of the area, and the midfielder took a neat touch inside before depositing a crisp, low left-footed shot past Lee and into the far-side netting to put the hosts ahead at the break.
The hosts continued to flex their muscles in the second half, with Afonso stinging the gloves of a full-stretch Lee in the 55th minute. However, against the run of play, Brooklyn found an equalizer in the 62nd minute. CJ Olney Jr’s right-wing cross took a delicate kiss off the far post and nestled into the back corner to shock the home crowd at 1-1.
Rhode Island response was swift and merciless. Ten minutes later, Kwizera produced a moment of absolute magic to restore the lead, collecting Clay Holstad’s pass and curling a spectacular long-range effort into the top-left corner.
In the 83rd minute, the relentless pressure paid off again when Nick Scardina played a precise goal-line cross to Williams, who plucked the ball out of the air with an acrobatic volley to double the advantage. Williams tied a definitive bow on the afternoon just two minutes later, leaping to flick Noah Fuson’s near-post corner into the top-left corner to complete his brace and seal a magnificent four-goal explosion.
|
|
|
Friday, May 22, 2026
|
|
Fishel & Reign End Drought in Historic Rhode Island Clash
|
Seattle Reign FC brought a definitive end to their frustrating five-and-a-half-game goalscoring drought, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over expansion side Boston Legacy FC.
On a beautiful evening at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Mia Fishel and her teammates weathered a physical, end-to-end battle to capture a vital three points in the first-ever meeting between the two franchises.
The fixture marked a historic milestone for the region, representing the first time Rhode Island has ever hosted a professional women's soccer match, with Boston utilizing the venue due to upcoming World Cup preparations at Gillette Stadium.
Seattle intent was clear from the opening whistle, blazing forward on the front foot to earn a corner kick inside the second minute. Boston proved they would be no pushovers, however, immediately launching a dangerous fourth-minute counterattack that rattled the top netting of the Seattle goal.
The definitive breakthrough arrived just four minutes later. Angharad James-Turner lofted a deep, calculated cross toward the back post for Maddie Dahlien. The attacker’s goal-bound header was blocked by the raised arm of Boston defender Jorelyn Carabalí, prompting an immediate penalty appeal.
Following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review to confirm the handball, captain Sofia Huerta stepped up to the spot for her landmark 200th NWSL regular-season start. The veteran defender made absolutely no mistake, burying a low, hard strike past Casey Murphy into the lower right corner to break Seattle's bruising 511-minute scoreless streak.
Boston continued to knock on the door as the first half drew to a close, forcing Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey into a brilliant, close-range save near the half-hour mark to preserve the narrow lead before the interval.
The physical intensity refused to drop after the restart, but it was once again the Reign who displayed the clinical edge, doubling their advantage in the 51st minute.
Madison Curry orchestrated the move, lofting a perfectly placed cross into the right corner of the six-yard box. Dahlien utilized her explosive pace to leave the Boston backline completely helpless, meeting the delivery with a sublime first-touch volley that flew into the back of the net.
The visitors nearly added a quick-fire third moments later when Holly Ward unleashed a ferocious effort toward the upper right corner, but a flying save from Murphy tipped the ball wide for a corner.
As the clock wound down, the home side threw numbers forward, forcing the Reign into a deep, defensive shape. Boston thought they had set up a grandstand finish in the 87th minute when Josefine Hasbo’s initial effort was cleaned up and bundled home by Aïssata Traoré. However, a secondary video review verified that Traoré had strayed into an offside position, subsequently chalking the goal off.
Traoré did eventually get her reward deep into stoppage time, converting an accurate feed from Emerson Elgin right before the final whistle. But it proved to be too little, too late for the hosts, as Laura Harvey’s Reign squad managed the remaining seconds cleanly to fly back to the West Coast with a much-needed victory in the bag.
|
|
|
Thursday, May 21, 2026
|
|
BFA Confirm All Well Following March Friendly Against Congo
|
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) has confirmed there are no reports of health concerns or illness within the national setup, following recent reports regarding a rare strain of the Ebola virus spreading in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Islandstats.com contacted local football authorities to check on the well-being of the senior men's national team delegation, who recently shared a pitch with the African nation.
Bermuda faced off against the Democratic Republic of Congo in an international friendly on March 25th at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. Given the high-profile nature of the fixture, the BFA has maintained a watchful eye on the delegation out of an abundance of caution.
Medical guidelines dictate that the Ebola virus typically carries an incubation period of anywhere from two to 21 days before physical symptoms manifest.
The onset of the illness is known to be sudden, mirroring early influenza with acute symptoms such as severe fevers, debilitating headaches, and intense muscle fatigue.
With the incubation window for potential exposure from the March fixture now safely passed, local officials have moved quickly to reassure the public that the traveling contingent remains in perfect health.
BFA President Mark Wade provided a brief, definitive statement to clarify the status of the national squad and staff who made the trip to Central America.
"As of today, we have no reports of illness in our delegation that went to Mexico," Wade confirmed.
The clean bill of health comes as a welcome relief for the Bermuda' staff and players, allowing the focus to shift firmly back to their upcoming match against Cape Verde, set to take place on June 6th, 2026, at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.
|
|
|
Thursday, May 21, 2026
|
|
Daggers Secure Signing of Kane Crichlow on Two-Year Deal
|
Dagenham & Redbridge have completed the permanent signing of Bermuda international forward Kane Crichlow on a two-year contract.
The 25-year-old moves to Victoria Road from National League side Sutton United, providing a massive attacking boost for the Daggers as they look to build under the newly appointed leadership of head coach Lee Allinson.
The acquisition represents a significant statement of intent for the East London outfit, who recently concluded their National League South campaign in 13th place and are co-owned by a high-profile investment group including internet sensation KSI.
Crichlow, a former Watford youth product, brings a wealthy mix of technical versatility and non-league pedigree to the Daggers' frontline. He spent the latter half of last season on loan at Chelmsford City, where he netted three goals in 21 appearances to follow up a highly successful 13-goal haul with the Clarets the previous year.
The Bermudian has also established himself as a lethal weapon on the international circuit, racking up 10 goals for his country since his senior debut in 2021. Head coach Lee Allinson did not hide his excitement after securing the forward's signature.
"I'm delighted to get Kane over the line," Allinson said. "He's a really exciting, front-footed attacking player with plenty of quality. He knows where the goal is and he'll be a fantastic addition to the football club."
The move introduces a fascinating dynamic to the Dagenham locker room, where Crichlow is set to link up directly with former England and Premier League striker Andy Carroll.
The 37-year-old former Newcastle and Liverpool frontman is a minority shareholder at Victoria Road and briefly served as interim manager last season before returning to a playing role under Allinson.
With the explosive pace of Crichlow joining forces with Carroll’s veteran aerial presence, Dagenham fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic as the club targets a heavy promotion charge and a deep run in the FA Trophy next term.
|
|
|
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
|
|
Stars Edge Under-17s in Hard-Fought Bernard Park Clash
|
Dandy Stars 2 Under 17 National Select 1
The Dandy Stars solidified their credentials in the Bermuda Football Association Women’s Division with a gritty 2-1 victory over the Under-17 National Select.
As the only fixture on the division's schedule, all eyes were on Bernard Park, and the spectators were treated to a fascinating contest of youthful exuberance versus tactical composure.
The Dandy Stars stamped their authority on the match early on. The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute when Robin-Valana Pearman found the back of the net with a fine finish to put the Stars 1-0 ahead.
With the momentum firmly in their favor, they doubled their advantage just eight minutes later. Jenay Edness-Gomez capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 27th minute, coolly slotting home to give the Dandy Stars a comfortable 2-0 cushion that they comfortably carried into the halftime break.
The Under-17 National Select emerged for the second half with a renewed sense of urgency, determined to claw their way back into the tie.
Their pressure paid dividends early in the second period. In the 52nd minute, Daley Outerbridge breached the Stars' backline to pull a vital goal back, changing the complexion of the match at 2-1.
Despite throwing everything forward in the closing stages in search of a dramatic equalizer, the young Select side could not find a way through a resilient Dandy Stars defense. The veteran composure of the Stars shone through as they successfully managed the remaining minutes to secure all three points in a crucial division encounter.
|
|
|
|
