Rhode Island FC shuts out Hartford in El Clamico win
· Yahoo Sports
PAWTUCKET – For the first time since June 6, Rhode Island FC had a clean sheet as it defeated Hartford Athletic 1-0 in the “El Clamico” rivalry on Saturday, July 18.
The local rivalry – whose name is a spin off on the El Clásico rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, with a nod to New England's favorite shellfish – got chippy early as RIFC’s Grant Stoneman picked up a yellow card in the second minute for pulling down Hartford’s Abdullah Taofeek. A total of six fouls were committed in the first 20 minutes of play at Centerville Bank Stadium.
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“I think when you play Hartford, it’s the kind of thing to expect,” RIFC’s Jojea Kwizera said. “Because they try to play those kinds of tricks and just try to get in your head instead of actually playing the ball.”
After multiple missed chances inside the box and from corners, RIFC finally converted on the team’s sixth corner kick in the 20th minute.
Kwizera crossed the ball into the box, where it slipped by multiple players, most likely due to the on-and-off downpour that plagued the game, and rolled right in front of Frank Nodarse’s right foot. On his first touch, Nodarse blasted the ball past Hartford’s goalkeeper, Antony Siaha, into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
“We just felt like we were going to get one,” Kwizera said. “Especially early on, we’re getting these chances and seeing our guys are winning the headers. It’s a good feeling for us.”
RIFC kept the pressure on Hartford throughout the first half with 15 total shots and six on target. For comparison, Hartford had just three shots, with none being on target. Aside from Nodarse’s goal, Hartford’s backline was stalwart. Hartford blocked six of Rhode Island’s shots on top of Siaha’s five saves.
While trying to equalize going into halftime, Hartford picked up two yellow cards from Beverly Makangila and Taofeek in the final eight minutes. The aggression continued in the second half as the teams ended the game combining for 24 fouls and five yellow cards.
The second half was more of the same as Rhode Island continued to pressure Hartford on the offensive end while keeping Hartford’s attacks to a minimum. RIFC put together seven more shot attempts in the second half, with only one being on target. Hartford, on the other hand, managed just three more shot attempts and none on target.
“I thought in the first half we were extremely dominant, not so much in the second half,” RIFC head coach Khano Smith said postgame. “I thought we needed to push for that second goal, but we talked a lot about having a winner’s mindset and being mentally and physically tough. Too many times that we go ahead in games and five minutes later we give up a goal right before the half.”
Hartford’s closest attempt at an equalizer came in the 82nd minute, when Barry Coffey’s shot on the right side of the box didn’t curve enough and missed the net just wide to the right.
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Six minutes of stoppage time wasn’t enough for Hartford as the Rhode Island backline continued to shut its attacks down and secure the 1-0 victory in the club’s 100th game.
RIFC now heads on the road for the start of a two-game road trip on July 25 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC. The club's next match in Pawtucket is scheduled for Aug. 8 vs. Colorado Springs.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island FC shuts out Hartford in El Clamico win