The Rhode Island FC soccer team enjoyed a thrilling inaugural season in 2024, defying the odds and reaching the United Soccer League finals after going 12-7-15 in the regular season. RIFC took the fifth seed into the postseason and pulled off three straight upsets to earn the championship bid, beating No. 4 Indy, No. 1 Louisville City and No. 2 Charleston.
Right in the center of the action was Cranston’s own Kevin Vang. The 24-year-old midfielder was a standout for Cranston East during his high school days and went on to play for Division I Providence College. He appeared in 83 games for the Friars and recorded four goals and nine assists. He also played for the New England Revolution Academy and later earned a spot on the Youth National Team Futures Camp team in 2015 and 2016. He also spent time playing club soccer for Bayside FC.
RIFC had a tough start to its season, winning just two of its first 14 matches. Things improved mightily in the second half of the season as the players, who had never played together before the season, began to bond on the field and off.
“It was unpredictable. Nobody expected us to achieve what we achieved. At the beginning of the season, we weren’t getting the results that we wanted. It wasn’t until the end of the season that we started winning games. We were on a run, we made a playoff run and starting beating playoff opponents. It was unbelievable,” said Vang.
Vang felt that the coaching staff did an excellent job recruiting players, both in terms of talent and character.
“Day in and day out, our team really put in the work and did what the coaches wanted us to do on and off the field. The relationships that we built between teammates, on the field and off the field, they were important. The coaches trusted the players, and we just had to do our job. Coaches pick the players not just for being great soccer players, but for being great people as well. That played a big role in what we accomplished,” Vang said.
Vang joined fellow Cranstonian Damian Rivera on the professional scene, as Rivera played for the Revolution from 2016-2019 and is currently with Phoenix Rising FC of the USL.
Vang was excited to represent his home state as a pro and felt fortunate to have had the support of his local coaches and teammates along the way.
“It’s amazing to have a team in Rhode Island. It means a lot, especially for the sport of soccer, which I’m passionate about. It means a lot to get that community support,” said Vang. “There are opportunities that shouldn’t be taken for granted, and when you are presented with the opportunity, you need to take it. If you want to choose the pathway of going professional, you need to keep your head down, keep working hard and connect with players.”
RIFC is gearing up for its second season with largely the same roster. Preseason action begins in February, with the season opener against Charleston on March 15.
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