Rhode Island FC secured a 1-1 draw against Tampa Bay Rowdies thanks to JJ Williams' late goal in the 86th minute. This match marked Rhode Island's third draw of the season in USL Championship play.
Key points
Rhode Island FC drew 1-1 with Tampa Bay Rowdies
JJ Williams scored the equalizer in the 86th minute
This was Rhode Island's third draw of the season
The match took place at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island's next match is on May 16 against Portland Hearts of Pine
Rhode Island FCTampa Bay RowdiesJJ WilliamsUSL Championship
PAWTUCKET â JJ Williams finally had his space and rose to the opportunity.
The Rhode Island FC striker, deep in the attacking zone, came back to a cross and headed Nick Scardinaâs service to the near post to salvage the night for Rhode Island. Williamsâ goal landed in the 86th minute to draw Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-1, in rain-soaked Pawtucket.
Itâs the third draw in USL Championship play for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium this season. RIFC was turning in a familiar performance before snagging the tie against the league-leading Rowdies as Williams supplied his third regular-season goal of the year. The draw is the first time RIFC has earned a result after the opposition opened the scoring since its 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FCÂ on July 5, 2025.
Rhode Island now travels to USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine for its second game of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup group stage on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m. The club returns to Pawtucket on May 23 against Brooklyn FC.
âAll night they made it tough because they were doubling,â Williams said of Tampa Bay. âAnd wherever I went to, they were going contact first, especially in this league with no [Video Assistant Referee] ⊠but on that one, the ball was so good that they spun around, and then I was able to make good contact.â
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Gevork
Diarbian and FC's Karifa Yao
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium Peter-Lee
Vassell, Jojea
Kwizera
Q&A
How did Rhode Island FC manage to draw against Tampa Bay Rowdies?
Rhode Island FC drew against Tampa Bay Rowdies after JJ Williams scored a goal in the 86th minute, equalizing the match at 1-1.
What was significant about JJ Williams' goal for Rhode Island FC?
JJ Williams' goal was significant as it was his third regular-season goal of the year and helped Rhode Island secure a point after trailing in the match.
When is Rhode Island FC's next match after the draw with Tampa Bay?
Rhode Island FC's next match is against Portland Hearts of Pine on May 16, 2026, in the USL Cup group stage.
What does the draw against Tampa Bay mean for Rhode Island FC's season?
The draw against Tampa Bay marks Rhode Island FC's third draw of the season and is their first point earned after the opposition opened the scoring.
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Koke Vegas, second half Birmingham goal.
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Gevork
Diarbian and FC's Karma
Yao
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Phanuel
Kavita and FC's Clay
Holstad
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Koke
Vegas
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
1 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Gevork
Diarbian and FC's Karifa Yao
1 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Gevork
Diarbian and FC's Karifa Yao
2 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium Peter-Lee
Vassell, Jojea
Kwizera
3 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Koke Vegas, second half Birmingham goal.
4 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
5 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
6 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Gevork
Diarbian and FC's Karma
Yao
7 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
8 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium. Phanuel
Kavita and FC's Clay
Holstad
9 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
10 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
11 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
12 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
13 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Koke
Vegas
14 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short in its Star Wars Night battle vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
15 / 15
See Action Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion
Rhode Island FC fell short vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Centreville Bank Stadium
Rhode Island had a string of missed chances in the first 15 minutes that fed into a goal for Tampa Bay and then a triple substitution in the second half that provided little spark. Max Schneiderâs cross from right of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the far post for a clinical header in the 29th minute in front of an announced attendance of 6,790.
The gameâs first score came just 10 minutes after attempts from Hugo Bacharach and Jojea Kwizera were saved and Williams sailed an open shot past the bar.
âWe tried to correct some of those things that we struggled with last week,â Williams said. âGetting to the ball, making tackles, making a stick, I think that we werenât as clean in possession as we would have been, especially as we won the ball and played forward. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half where we could have seen more chances, but we did well to weather the storm early and create some. But for me, I [have] to bury that first one.â
JJ Williams handles the ball vs. the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 9 at Centreville Bank Stadium.
JJ Williams handles the ball vs. the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 9 at Centreville Bank Stadium.
Rhode Island creates plenty of chances â it is tied for fourth with 112 attempts â but has just 12 goals this season. If it had finished one of the early chances against Tampa Bay, it wouldâve shifted the tenor of the match and forced the visitors to play outside of its form. But the final scoring sequence is still missing with the summer months coming soon.
âHappy with the spirit, happy with the effort, happy with the fight,â RIFC coach Khano Smith said. âYouâve seen that a lot with our team. They just fought to the end, never gave up, kept pushing. Ultimately, itâs two more points dropped at home, and we need to find a way to stop doing that. We need to be ruthless â just ruthless in front of the goal.â