CARY, N.C. – The top remaining seed in the Eastern Conference bracket plays host to the defending conference title holder when No. 3 seed North Carolina FC faces No. 7 seed Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night at First Horizon Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

North Carolina FC (13-11-6, 45pts) – North Carolina FC earned its first victory in the USL Championship Playoffs in club history last Saturday night as it took a 1-0 win against Loudoun United FC behind an early goal by Oalex Anderson and a two-save shutout by goalkeeper Oliver Semmle. Anderson’s sixth-minute tally was his sixth goal across the regular season and playoffs this season, currently third on the team behind Evan Conway (9) and Pedro Dolabella (7). The win was NCFC’s first at home since September 26, but the side has been solid on at First Horizon Stadium this season, earning nine victories across the regular season and playoffs. Head Coach John Bradford’s side will now look to build on its win as it looks to become the first team to win both the USL League One and USL Championship title in league history.

Rhode Island FC (10-12-8, 38pts) – Rhode Island FC began the defense of its Eastern Conference title with a penalty shootout victory against the Charleston Battery, advancing for the second consecutive season at Patriots Point with a 5-3 result from the spot. The No. 7 seed was perfect from the spot as Aimé Mabika scored the decisive goal to open the fifth round after finishes by JJ Williams, Hamady Diop, Maxi Rodriguez and Hugo Bacharach set the visitors on course for victory. RIFC will now attempt to return to the Eastern Conference Final for a second consecutive season but will have to do so without Rwanda international Jojea Kwizera, who was sent off in second-half stoppage time against Charleston, resulting in a one-game suspension.

All-Time Series

Rhode Island FC is undefeated in four meetings with North Carolina FC, going 2-0-2 over its first two seasons, while the sides most recently played to a 0-0 draw at First Horizon Stadium on October 18 in the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

Opta Says

17.24 – North Carolina FC recorded a 17.2 percent shot conversion rate during the regular season and a 47.4 percent shooting accuracy rate, both in the top third in the league.

11 – Rhode Island FC recorded 11 goals in the second halves of games in the regular season, tied for the fewest in the USL Championship alongside Miami FC.

Players to Watch

North Carolina FC – Ahmad Al-Qaq: The first-year pro and local product recorded the assist on Oalex Anderson’s goal against Loudoun United and put in a stellar all-around performance, completing 2 of 2 dribbles and winning 5 of 6 ground duels in his first start since October 10.

Rhode Island FC – Hugo Bacharach: The second-year pro has come into his own over the course of the season in Rhode Island and was impressive against the Battery, ranking second on the team in completing 60 of 73 passes and recording three shots and two chances created from central midfield.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

North Carolina FC – No suspensions

Rhode Island FC – Suspended: Jojea Kwizera

Officials
REF: Joshua Encarnacion
AR1: Rhett Hammil
AR2: Zeno Cho
4TH: Benjamin Meyer