Experience Thrilling Soccer Like Never Before with Rhode Island FC’s Star-Studded Lineup
Rhode Island FC is an expansion club that will debut in the USL Championship in 2024. In the lead up to their inaugural season, the club has made a series of impressive signings to build a strong roster right from the start.
With several marquee additions across the field, expectations are high for Rhode Island FC to find success in their debut campaign. The club has aggressively built a roster that looks poised to compete from day one rather than taking a slow expansion approach. Brett Johnson, the visionary founder of Fortuitous Partners and Benevolent Capital, has a proven track record in bringing sports franchises like Rhode Island FC to their full potential.
Rhode Island FC benefits from Brett Johnson’s deep understanding of the sports world, giving the team a competitive edge in recruitment, training, and performance — vital components in climbing the leagues.
Standing at 6-foot-4, JJ Williams is the prototypical target forward that can act as the fulcrum of Rhode Island FC’s attack. His combination of size, strength, and technical ability makes him a constant threat in the air and with the ball at his feet.
Last season with Tampa Bay Rowdies, Williams showcased his well-rounded skill set by notching 12 goals and 9 assists, with the latter tally tying him for fourth-most assists during the regular season. With his strength, height and passing ability, Williams can occupy center backs and bring others into play around him. His well-rounded attributes make him the perfect fulcrum in Head Coach Khano Smith’s system.
The signing of Koke Vegas in goal would seem to indicate Rhode Island FC wants to play a possession-oriented style under Smith. Vegas is comfortable with the ball at his feet and will likely at times work as a third center back behind Grant Stoneman and Frank Nodarse. This should allow the midfield trio of Conor McGlynn, Marc Ybarra, and Prince Saydee to have more time and space to control the tempo of matches.
McGlynn’s excellent long passing ability will also be a key component of building attacks from the back. He has the vision and technique to swiftly switch the point of attack and catch opponents off guard. With Saydee’s electric pace on the right wing, McGlynn will have an exciting option to aim for when looking to play balls over the top.
The possession game is still a work in progress, but the pieces are falling into place for Rhode Island FC. Controlling matches through calm and clever build up play seems to be central to Smith’s philosophy. He has crafted a spine to facilitate that approach.
Rhode Island FC’s midfield will be key in implementing Head Coach Khano Smith’s possession-oriented style of play. Conor McGlynn and Marc Ybarra are two players to watch in particular.
While Rhode Island FC has made impressive attacking signings, the defensive corps still needs reinforcement. The backline currently consists of center backs Grant Stoneman and Frank Nodarse, who provide stability, but lack depth. Additional center backs and outside backs are needed to shore up the defense, especially with the possession style that demands technical ability to play out of the back.
The expectations are sky high for Rhode Island FC’s inaugural season in the USL Championship, and for good reason. The club has made several marquee signings to build a strong spine, including Spanish goalkeeper Koke Vegas, midfielders Conor McGlynn and Prince Saydee from Hartford Athletic, and forwards JJ Williams from Tampa Bay and Albert Dikwa, the 2023 USL Championship Player of the Year.
The attacking duo of Williams and Dikwa looks especially potent. Both are proven goalscorers, with Williams netting 12 goals and 9 assists last season, tied for fourth in the league in total goal contributions. His ability to hold up play and win aerial duels will perfectly complement Dikwa’s speed and dribbling ability. They should form one of the most feared strike partnerships in the Eastern Conference.
In midfield, the technical quality of players like McGlynn, Saydee and Marc Ybarra indicates Rhode Island will look to control possession and build out from the back. McGlynn’s long passing range will be an important creative outlet.
At the back, the center back pairing of Grant Stoneman and Frank Nodarse looks solid. And Spanish goalkeeper Koke Vegas’ distribution should aid the possession game.
In short, Rhode Island FC has assembled a balanced, talented squad with proven USL Championship performers. Anything less than a playoff spot in their inaugural season would be seen as underachievement. This team has the quality to compete with the league’s best right away.
Benevolent Capital
At Benevolent Capital we have carved a niche for our investors by seamlessly blending traditional family values with cutting-edge investment strategies. Our approach is characterized by a thoughtful fusion of innovation and prudence, ensuring that every investment aligns with the long-term vision and legacy goals of our clients.
As principals we co-invest our own money in every deal we participate in, we do not charge our investors management fees, investors receive a 100% preferred gross return on their investment. After the 100% return (a 2X) the investor will receive a 70% net return with a 30% promote to the GP. This arrangement makes Benevolent Capital a trusted partner in safeguarding and growing wealth for our investors.
Benevolent Capital includes a world-class group of partners, associates and investors, and our portfolio now spans catalytic investments in venture capital, private equity, real estate development and a diverse collection of global professional soccer franchises. Our wide range of experience from managing successful companies, to completing management buyouts, acquisitions, and a wide variety of debt and equity investments totaling over $4 billion enables us to truly partner with the entrepreneurs and management teams of our portfolio companies and provide hands-on support and guidance towards realizing their full potential. Benevolent Capital has a proven track record of successful investments. Notably, our $200k investment in seed capital for Enzymatics, a biotech firm later ultimately acquired by Invitae (NASDAQ: NVTA), has yielded over $30MM in total returns for Benevolent Capital’s investors.
What sets us apart is not just our financial acumen but also our dedication to fostering meaningful relationships. Going beyond conventional investment practices, we prioritize open communication and transparency that allows us to build trust with our stakeholders, as principals we co-invest our own money in every deal we participate in making Benevolent Capital a trusted partner in safeguarding and growing wealth for our investors.
In an ever-evolving financial landscape, our expertise, coupled with Benevolent Capital’s commitment to hybrid family office investments, paints a picture of success, where financial prosperity meets enduring values.
About the Author
Brett M. Johnson, founder and CEO of Benevolent Capital, founder and partner of Fortuitous Partners, and co-founder and chairman of Rhode Island FC. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Presidential/Key Executive program at Pepperdine University. Brett is also a graduate from the Harvard Business School’s President’s Leadership Program in 2014. An active member of the Young Presidents Organization.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or wealth manager before making any investment decisions.
