CARY, N.C. – Albert Dikwa scored a pair of late goals after coming on as a second-half substitute to lead No. 7 seed Rhode Island FC to a 2-0 victory against No. 3 seed North Carolina FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix, booking the visitors a second consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Final.

Rhode Island had the better of the early going, including consecutive shots by Noah Fuson that were well blocked by the NCFC defense in the 17th minute, but the hosts went closest to taking the lead before the halftime break through Oalex Anderson. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines international almost took advantage of a quick break in the 27th minute, clipping his finish just wide of the right post, and then rattled the crossbar three minutes later with a powerful strike from 20 yards.

After a scoreless first half, RIFC created the best early chance after the break on Frank Nodarse’s redirection of a low cross by Hamady Diop on target through traffic, only for NCFC goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to get down well to save. The German goalkeeper came up with an even bigger save on the hour-mark, denying a one-on-one opportunity for JJ Williams, but with nine minutes to go the visitors took the lead as a deep cross from the right by Fuson found Dikwa for a header at the top of the six-yard area that tucked just inside the left post.

Dikwa added an insurance goal in the third minute of stoppage time as he took advantage of an inadvertent turnover in the center circle with Semmle pushing upfield and out of his net, with the Cameroonian curling home a shot into the empty net to ice the game. Anderson has one final chance to find the net, only to be denied by a good save by RIFC’s Koke Vegas, but Rhode Island wouldn’t be denied as it recorded another road upset.

Takeaways

North Carolina FC: The hosts saw the curtain come down on this era of the club as they were unable to take advantage of their first-half opportunities, with Oalex Anderson coming closest to breaking the deadlock with his strike off the crossbar.

Rhode Island FC: The defending Eastern Conference title-holders continued their remarkable postseason record, advancing through a fifth consecutive road playoff game against Eastern Conference opposition as Albert Dikwa’s introduction proved the turning point after earlier chances were denied.

Key moment

Albert Dikwa’s close-range header off a tremendous cross by Noah Fuson put Rhode Island on top with nine minutes to go as the Cameroonian went on to record his first postseason brace in second-half stoppage time.

Key stat

Rhode Island FC remained undefeated when scoring the opening goal in the USL Championship this season, moving to 10-0-2 while having dropped a league-fewest four points from winning positions in the campaign.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Albert Dikwa, Rhode Island FC – The former Championship Player of the Year proved a game-changer off the bench, scoring both goals to lead the visitors to victory.

Scoring Summary
RI – Albert Dikwa (Noah Fuson) 81’
RI – Albert Dikwa 90+3’