RI FC scores with fans at first home game in Pawtucket

A capacity crowd of 10,700 enthusiastic soccer fans welcomed the Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC) into their new home, Centreville Bank Stadium, on Saturday, May 3. The riverside venue opened to great fanfare, with officials including Governor Dan McKee, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, and team president Brett Johnson taking part in opening ceremonies, which also featured singer Alexus Lee performing the national anthem, and a pregame helicopter flyover from the Rhode Island National Guard.

The home team played hard, with RI FC battling Western Conference leaders San Antonio FC to a 0-0 draw, outplaying their Texas opponents through much of the game, with a standout performance from RI FC goalie and Player of the Game Koke Vegas.

But the larger story was the new stadium.

The state-of-the-art facility provides an exceptional fan experience for soccer fanatics of all ages. The pre-game fanfest kept everyone entertained, concessions were busy throughout the game, and RI FC mascot Chip was posing for selfies with fans all afternoon. Led by support club Defiance 1636, who kept the drumbeat going throughout the contest, fans enjoyed a high-energy match.

The stadium will be busy this summer, with the team playing 10 out of the next 15 regular-season games at home through August. There’s also women’s professional rugby scheduled in May when the Boston Banshees play their remaining three home games at the stadium this season.

Up next: on Saturday, May 10, the home team takes on Monterey Bay FC at 4 PM.  Click here for tickets.