Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the RIFC camp lately, you’ve missed a total whirlwind. Following a massive run to the USL Championship Final in their inaugural year and a deep playoff push in 2025, the squad is looking radically different for the 2026 season. We aren't just talking about a couple of bench pieces moving around. The core of this team—the guys who basically built the culture in Pawtucket—is shifting in ways that have some fans scratching their heads and others ready to book their season tickets right now.
The biggest bombshell dropped just a few days ago. Albert "Chico" Dikwa, the man who has been the face of the attack since day one, is officially gone. He was transferred back to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for an undisclosed fee. It’s a bittersweet move. Dikwa leaves as the club's joint all-time leading goalscorer with 19 goals. Seeing him head back to the Steel City feels like the end of an era, even if the era only lasted two years.
Rhode Island FC Players: The 2026 Roster Shakeup
So, who is actually left? Head Coach and GM Khano Smith hasn't been sitting on his hands. While losing Dikwa hurts, the club has already secured 20 players for the 2026 campaign. It’s a mix of "the old guard" and some seriously intriguing new blood.
The biggest news on the "new guy" front is the signing of Leo Afonso. He’s a Brazilian forward coming straight out of the MLS systems of Inter Miami and Atlanta United. He’s 25, he’s fast, and he’s hungry. Khano Smith described him as an "exciting attacking player with an eye for goal," and frankly, with Dikwa out of the picture, Afonso is going to have to find that eye for goal immediately.
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The Returning Core
Despite the big exit, the spine of the team is surprisingly intact. You’ve got the defensive stalwarts who made this team so hard to beat over the last 24 months.
- Karifa Yao: The two-time Defender of the Year is back for season three. The guy is a vacuum. Last year alone, he led the team in clearances (119) and blocks (41).
- Koke Vegas: The Spaniard between the sticks had his option exercised. He’s the captain, the vocal leader, and quite literally the reason RIFC stayed in so many games last year. He posted 13 clean sheets in 2025. That’s elite.
- JJ Williams: Another player who had his option picked up. He’s a massive target man at 6'4" and finished last season as the team's top scorer with 6 goals in league play.
- Noah Fuson: The 2024 Golden Playmaker. He’s the creative engine. While his goal numbers dipped slightly in 2025, his ability to create chances (40 chances created last season) remains the best on the roster.
It's weird to think of a three-year-old club as having "veterans," but players like Grant Stoneman, Frank Nodarse, and Clay Holstad have become the heartbeat of the Ocean State’s soccer identity. They know Khano’s 3-4-3 system inside and out.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Strategy
There’s this misconception that Rhode Island FC is just trying to replicate their 2024 miracle run. But if you look at the 2026 roster decisions, it’s clear they are pivoting toward a more sustainable, high-pressing identity.
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The departure of players like Joe Brito (who retired) and Marc Ybarra signals a transition. They are getting younger and more athletic in the transition phases. The midfield now leans heavily on Amos Shapiro-Thompson, who went from being a bench option to a 30-appearance workhorse in 2025. He’s the type of player who doesn't show up in the highlight reels as often as a JJ Williams bicycle kick, but he wins the second balls that make those goals possible.
The Defensive Wall
Let's talk about the backline for a second because it's actually insane how much talent is crammed there. You have Karifa Yao, Grant Stoneman, Frank Nodarse, and Aimé Mabika. That is a lot of size. In the USL, where so many teams rely on long balls and set pieces, having four starting-quality center-backs is a luxury.
Then you have Hugo Bacharach. He’s sort of the x-factor. He can play in the back three or step up into a defensive midfield role. His passing accuracy (nearly 79% last season) allows RIFC to build out from the back instead of just hoofing it clear.
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The Missing Pieces and the Road Ahead
Is the roster perfect? No. Honestly, losing Dikwa creates a void in "clutch" scoring that Leo Afonso hasn't proven he can fill yet at this level. Afonso has the pedigree, but USL is a physical grind.
We also have to look at the wings. Jojea Kwizera and Aldair Sanchez are returning, which is huge for width. Sanchez was second on the team in assists last year. But with the 3-4-3 formation Khano Smith prefers, these guys are running 10-12 kilometers a game. If one of them goes down, the depth starts to look a little thin.
What to Watch for in Preseason
- The Afonso-Williams Partnership: Can the target man (JJ) and the Brazilian speedster (Leo) find chemistry? If they do, this is a top-three offense.
- Midfield Rotation: With Kevin Vang and Zachary Herivaux in the mix, there’s a battle for that spot next to Clay Holstad.
- The "Home" Factor: 2026 is a massive year for the club's growth in the community. The players are becoming local celebs, and that pressure is a different beast than playing for an expansion team with no expectations.
Rhode Island FC is no longer the "new kid" on the block. They are a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. The 2026 roster is built to win now, but it's also built to survive the long, grueling summer months of the USL calendar.
If you're looking to follow the team this season, keep an eye on the training reports coming out of the Tidewater Landing site. The competition for the starting wing-back spots is going to be fierce. You should also grab the official team app; it’s basically the only way to get the real-time injury updates that Khano Smith tends to keep close to his chest. Get your scarves ready—it's going to be a wild year in the Ocean State.