Mario Pereira appointed as Reds NPSL Head Coach

PROVIDENCE, RI. (January 27, 2016) – The Rhode Island Reds FC, celebrating their fifth year in the NPSL, announced today the appointment of Mario Pereira as the club’s new head coach.

Mario Pereira was an East Providence High School All-State, All-New England, and First Team NSCAA McDonald’s All-American. He was named as the Providence Journal’s Co-Athlete Of The Year In 1975. While playing at the University of Rhode Island, he was a two time All New England forward and still holds the record at URI for the most goals scored in a half.

Pereira began his coaching career as an assistant at Brown University from 1982-1989. After his time at Brown, Pereira became the head coach for LASA league team Lusitania from 1989-1994. During his time with Lusitania, Pereira won the LASA championship in 1991,1992, and 1993 where he was also named coach of the year during those seasons. In the year 1995, Pereira went on to coach the Rhode Island Stingrays. Pereira’s Stingrays competed in the USL Pro from 1995 to 2001. From 2002 through 2009 the Stingrays competed in the USL PDL which saw Pereira coach future United States Men’s National Team player Geoff Cameron. Currently, Pereira is the head coach for La Salle Academy in Providence, RI where he has won 9 Boys Division 1 Championships since the year 2000.

“We are proud to have Mario Pereira join the Reds for what will be a milestone year in the club’s history. As we look to increase our focus on developing talent from the Southern New England area, we know that Mario is the right candidate for the position. Mario has been a huge part of Rhode Island’s soccer history and we are glad he will now be a part of the Reds future.” said Kabba Joof, Reds owner and Director of Football Operations

“The Reds are a club that have made great strides in the Rhode Island soccer community since they were founded in 2012. I’m honored and excited to be given this opportunity to be the head coach for the 2016 season and am hoping for a great year. I am confident that my experience at this level will help propel the club to new heights as we look to continue developing the area’s top players.” Mario Pereira, Reds Head Coach NPSL.

With the appointment of Mario Pereira, the Reds are looking to build a comprehensive grassroots development system for soccer players in the Southern New England area.

“The landscape of soccer in our country is experiencing rapid growth and the Southern New England area has always displayed a unique passion for the game. We believe that Mario is the one capable of finding and developing the top players in the area as we, the backroom staff look to grow the sport and bring the many different soccer enthusiasts in our region together.” Kabba Joof, Reds owner and Director of Football Operations

The Rhode Island Reds 2016 NPSL schedule and tryout dates will be released within the coming months. To stay up to date with all Rhode Island Reds news visit www.RIRedsFC.com

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND REDS
The Rhode Island Reds, founded in 2012, are an amateur men’s and women’s adult soccer club competing in the NPSL and WPSL respectively. The club prides itself on sportsmanship and the development of player skills. For sponsorship opportunity, contact kjoof@riredsfc.com

Kabba Joof Steps Back From Head Coach Position

Providence, RI. (January 23, 2016) – Rhode Island Reds FC head men’s soccer coach Kabba Joof has announced he is stepping back from coaching after 4 seasons at the helm of the Reds NPSL program.

The Rhode Island Reds, currently in their fifth year competing in the National Premiere Soccer League (NPSL) have begun the year with a coaching change. Reds owner Kabba Joof was also the team’s first head coach overseeing the first 4 years of competition in the NPSL before announcing today that he will be stepping back from the position.

“Thanks to many people in the State of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Reds are now stronger than ever. We have made great strides in player development and have become a club that amateur, collegiate, and former professional players look to in order to help further their career and we take great pride in that. Now that we have laid the groundwork for the type of club we want to be, I can begin to focus on other aspects of the club.”
– Kabba Joof, Reds Owner and Director of Football.

Although he is no longer coaching the NPSL team, Joof is far from done with the Rhode Island Reds. Taking on the Director of Football position, Joof is looking to expand the club’s reach in the community while growing the game of soccer in Rhode Island.

“Stepping away from coaching will allow me to spend my time focusing on building the club operations, management, and marketing. I’m excited with my new role and am determined to make the Rhode Island Reds the premiere soccer club in the state.” – Kabba Joof, Reds Owner and Director of Football.

Stepping away as the men’s head coach, Joof had to be certain that the next person to hold the position would be able to take the club to the next level.

“I knew the next coach had to be someone who had the experience at this level and also someone synonymous with Rhode Island soccer. When you think of soccer in Rhode Island there is always one name on everyone’s lips. I’m happy to say that we have found the next coach for the Reds and that it is a perfect fit. I firmly believe the next coach will take us to a higher level and we are all looking forward to the coming season!”  – Kabba Joof, Reds Owner and Director of Football.

The Rhode Island Reds will be naming the person to fill the NPSL head coach position in the coming days. You can keep up to date on the Rhode Island Reds at www.RIRedsFC.com.

Game Recap: Reds x NYAC 6/14/15

Providence, R.I. — After an incredible 5-2 victory against Seacoast Mariners on Friday night, The Rhode Island Reds FC (Reds) finish the weekend play with a 1-1 record after falling short to New York Athletic Club (NYAC) 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, NYAC improves to an overall record of 4-2-1, while the Reds finish the weekend with 3-0-4 overall record.

It did not take long for NYAC to open up the scoring. After dominating possession for the first five minutes of play, full back John Perter serves a ball into the 18 yard box in the ninth minute, in which forward George Stannard finishes with a shot to the opposite corner after the Reds backline failed to clear the cross.

In the 22^nd minute, midfielder Brajan Huyke plays a lovely through ball forward but it was intercepted by NYAC’s goalkeeper Zachary Carr who failed to clear the ball out. Reds forward Lenik Spencer was later fouled on that same play that set-up a set piece for the Reds, in which Huyke’s shot from 25 yards out comes close to an equalizer.

NYAC continued to dominate possession in the first half, however, the Reds backline recovered from their early mistake and stood strong for the rest of the first half, holding NYAC to only five shots to end the half.

In the second half, the Reds came out more aggressive. They were a different Reds team from the first half.

After Reds midfielder Brajan Huyke and NYAC’s Noah Kossoff were sent off, NYAC’s Robert Cabrera is denied by Reds center back Joshua Jess in the 52^nd minute. Reds forward Dallas Donovan is later fouled in the box in the 56^th minute. Donovan ties the score up with a lovely left corner finish from the 12^th yard spot.

However, in the 70^th minute NYAC goes up 2-1 after second half substitute Chuong Tran plays a through ball inside the 18, which Cabrera is able to finish.

The Reds continued with the second half momentum and nearly tie the score in the 77^th minute, when Bernard Yeboah’s shot results in a corner kick after making a tremendous run on the left flank. Off the corner kick, center back Jess makes a great effort and stretches out for the ball but the shot goes slightly wide.

In the closing minutes, NYAC goes up 3-1 after Cabrera curls in a shot from the corner of the 18 that hits the cross bar that later finds NYAC’s John Nolan alone for the finish.

After the game, Head Coach Kabba Joof talked about the team’s performance.

“I think we played well, especially in the second half. Give them respect, they played 90 minutes and we didn’t.”

Asked about the injuries before the match coach Kabba said, “No injuries, tough to play a double header especially against a very good NYAC team. We will be missing one of our holding mids, but other people have to step up.”

Coach Kabba and the Reds will be back to training on Wednesday as they prepare to face a very good Brooklyn Italians team on Saturday June 20^th in New York.

Article written by Reds reporter Servi Barrientos
To read Barrientos’ blog Click Here

To learn more about the Rhode Island Reds visit www.RIRedsFC.com

 

Reds NPSL Beat Lowell for the Second Time

It was a gorgeous night at Cawley Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts as the Reds took on Lowell United for the second and final time in the 2015 season. After a two game slump losing to the Seacoast Phantoms and the Brooklyn Italians, the Reds were determined to get the win against their bitter rivals.

The Reds began play much smoother than in all of their previous games and looked as if they were all playing for the badge on their jersey. Thrusting forward the Reds were attacking wave after wave but could not find the final killer ball. Then from a freekick, breakout first year player RJ Aprile gave the Reds the lead. The ball dipped and swerved past the Lowell keeper, a truly unbeatable shot that gave Aprile his first goal of the season and the Reds a confidence boost. Lowell managed to come back and tie the game due to a moment of confusion between the defense. It would be the only time the Reds lost their concentration in the game as defender Josh Jess forced the defense to step up and not give away any balls.

Throughout the second half the Reds continued to pile on the pressure but still could not find the back of the net. Lowell did have a few opportunities but nothing could phase the solid defensive line or keeper Aidan Abolfazil. As the Reds surged forward looking for a second goal, defender Casey Hamill lofted a perfect cross into the box. Second year forward Komla “Fabrice” Dobbey rose to the ball and cooly headed it into the back of the net. It was now 2-1 Reds with only a couple of minutes left to play. Nothing more came from the Lowell attack and after some more attempts on goal by the Reds the game was over. You could see the relief and enthusiasm on the face of Head Coach Kabba Joof and all the players. They were now back on track.

Head to Head Match-Up
Reds 3 wins
Lowell 1 win

The next Reds NPSL home game is against Seacoast Mariners on June 12. Click here for the full schedule.

www.riredsfc.com

Reds Fall to Italians But Take Away Many Positives

The start of the Reds 2014 NPSL season may have ended in a 2-1 defeat to the reigning conference champions, but when the final whistle blew, smiles could be seen on the faces of the coaches, supporters, and staff.

It’s pretty well known that the Reds have lacked a top goal scorer for the past couple of seasons, but on May 17th the Reds might just have found their missing link. Dallas Donovan, was arguably the best striker in Massachusetts during his High School career and continued that with an impressive collegiate debut season for Franklin Pierce University. Dallas was all over the field against the Italians looking dangerous every time he was on the ball.

For the first 20 minutes of the game the Reds pressed the Italians hard but just could not find that final pass to the towering Donovan. Then before halftime a mistake in the back put the Italians up 1-0. The second half started very evenly but as the game went on the Italians began to look the better team. After a couple of fantastic saves from Reds keeper Chirs Moura the Reds began to spring to life again as first year midfielder Marcus Michelletti found his second wind and pushed the Reds forward. However the Reds still could not find that final pass and the legs of Michelletti were getting tired. Fast forward to the 89th minute and the Italians scored another goal. This didn’t deflate the Reds as the quick legs of substitute and Franklin Pierce winger David Lima found veteran Kaio Goncalves with a beautiful though pass down the left wing. Goncalves took a swing at the ball which caused him to fall over in hopes to just float the ball into the danger area. The quick mind of Donovan noticed the flight of the ball, readjusted his run, and boom goal Rhode Island Reds. It might not have been the prettiest of goals but you could tell that it was a goal that only a person with a true strikers mentality could finish.

The Reds take on the New York Red Bulls U23 team next week at Cranston Stadium for the teams annual Henry Alexander Benefit Game and you can bet that you will see Dallas Donovan searching to add to his goal tally.

Mass United Disqualified from Billy Gonsalves Memorial Cup

On a night that was to see two top amateur soccer clubs renew their rivalry and compete for the first ever Billy Gonsalves Memorial Cup one team decided not to play by the rules.

As a bit of a background, Mass United had a solid rivalry with the RI Reds when they both played in the NPSL and even after Mass United left the league. The majority of games saw Mass United fall to the Reds by score lines of 4-0 and most recently in 2013 7-0. This time however the amateur Mass United did not show up to take the field and instead fans and Red’s players and staff saw the professional Mass United FC North Shore take the field.

“This cup was intended to showcase top amateur talent in Rhode Island and Massachusetts looking to one day make it as professionals. Unfortunately Mass United decided to bring a fully professional Mass United FC North Shore team where their players already had years of professional playing experience.” Said Reds President Jonathan Fonseca.

With players like goalkeeper Olafur “Oli” Gunnarsson who has over 10 years of professional experience in Iceland and was even called up to the Icelandic National Team in 2002, it’s no shock that the Reds were on the back foot throughout the game.

“We only found out after the game that we were playing the professional club Mass United FC North Shore. But would that have changed anything? The result probably, but we still wanted to make sure that all of our players were able to get out there and show the qualities that they had. Knowing that these young Reds players were going up against much more experienced pro players I think we can look at the game in a different light. We had some players out there both in college and not that were really impressive and for their first time on a field together I think they did really well.” said President Fonseca. “I’m looking forward to a great season and once the players gel together I think we should show the professional Mass United North Shore what they Reds really have. I wouldn’t be surprised if our kids can put 4 on their pro team at the end of our season”

Head coach Kabba Joof likes what he saw out there saying “There was a lot of individual quality on the field tonight. This was the first time we saw these college kids play with our guys from last year and I’m confident that after a few trainings these players will gel together and we will be making a good run in our division. I can’t wait for our first NPSL game against the Brooklyn Italians on May 17th.”

Although the game ended up in a disqualification due to the amateur Mass United FC not showing up and instead the professional Mass United FC North Shore taking the field the Reds allowed 4 goals and scored 0 with Reds forward Kaio Goncalves missing a Penalty Kick.

The Reds NPSL team takes on the Brooklyn Italians on May 17th at 7pm to kickoff their NPSL season.

http://www.RIRedsFC.com