Rhode Island FC hosts Hartford Athletic in a regional rivalry showdown in the Second Round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This is the first time the two clubs meet in a single‑elimination Cup match, adding intensity to an already heated New England derby.
Venue & Match Details
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
City: Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Kickoff: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: Paramount+ (live stream)
Competition: 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — Second Round
Weather Forecast (Pawtucket, RI — April 1, 2026)
Typical early‑April conditions; forecast based on historical climate averages.
Temperature: 48–54°F
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light coastal winds
Chance of Rain: ~20%
Pitch Impact: Cool, firm surface—advantage to high‑pressing teams
Injury & Availability Report
(No official injury lists published yet; based on team status entering the Cup round.)
Rhode Island FC
No reported major injuries following their 4–0 First Round win.
Squad rotation expected after heavy scoring output.
Hartford Athletic
No major injuries reported; team enters in strong defensive form with three clean sheets in three matches to start 2026.
Team Form & Season Overview
Rhode Island FC
2026 Form: Coming off a dominant 4–0 win over CD Faialense in the First Round.
Cup History:
Reached Round of 32 in 2025 before falling 2–1 to New England Revolution.
A win here would send them to the Round of 32 for the second straight year.
Strengths:
Organized defensive structure
Strong home support
Multiple new goalscorers emerging
Hartford Athletic
2026 Form: 2W‑0L‑1T across all competitions, three clean sheets, outscoring opponents 5–0.
Cup History:
Beat FC Motown 2–0 in First Round.
Seeking first‑ever back‑to‑back Open Cup wins and first Round of 32 appearance.
Strengths:
Elite early‑season defensive form
Efficient counterattacking
Head‑to‑Head Series History
Overall: Extremely tight rivalry—low‑scoring, defensive battles are common.
Key Player Matchups
Rhode Island FC Attack vs. Hartford Back Line
RIFC scored 4 goals in their Cup opener with three first‑time scorers.
Hartford has not conceded a goal in 2026.
This is the defining matchup of the night.
Hartford’s Counterattack vs. RIFC Midfield
Hartford thrives on quick transitions.
RIFC must control tempo to avoid being exposed.
Goalkeepers
Both clubs enter with clean sheets in Cup play.
Expect a low‑margin match decided by one mistake or moment of brilliance.
MATCH ODDS
Rhode Island FC + 120
Hartford Athletic + 200
Draw + 230
Over 2.5 – 120 Under 2.5 + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 31, 2026
