Smith & Rhode Island FC Defeat Westchester
Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC — who recently played a friendly match against the Bermuda football team — earned its first win of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup with a 3-0 victory over Westchester SC in front of a sellout crowd of 10,554 fans at Centreville Bank Stadium in Rhode Island.
Clay Holstad opened the scoring in the 41st minute, firing a low shot into the bottom-left corner after forcing a turnover in the final third.
JJ Williams doubled the lead three minutes later, heading in from close range to give Rhode Island FC a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
Westchester’s best chance came in the 74th minute, but RIFC goalkeeper Koke Vegas made the save to preserve the clean sheet.
Leo Afonso sealed the win in the 75th minute, heading in a cross from Aldair Sanchez 16 minutes after coming off the bench.
The victory moved Rhode Island FC back into second place in Group 5, two points behind Hartford Athletic, with one group stage game remaining. RIFC will face Brooklyn FC on July 11.
Coach Khano Smith and Rhode Island FC will next return to USL Championship regular-season action against Loudoun United FC at Segra Field.
