PAWTUCKET — Rhode Island FC found shades of its 2024 play.

Saturday night's contest turned out to be a gritty effort for RIFC against the class of the Eastern Conference. Charleston Battery, a team that Rhode Island dispatched in the league finals last season, is certainly positioned for another deep playoff run. But on Aug. 30, Rhode Island provided a reminder that it can find a result against some of the best.

It’s no coincidence that it was JJ Williams’ header from Maxi Rodriguez that lifted Rhode Island to the 1-0 win. Williams was the hero during last year’s buildup to the playoff run and Rodriguez was an all-league first-team selection with Detroit City FC. Though Rhode Island hasn’t played to expectations , those two, and the team, are still dangerous.

“It was just the resilie

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