A significant day for Bermudian professionals in football saw success on both sides of the Atlantic, highlighted by playoff qualification in the US and cup progression in the UK.
Head coach Khano Smith guided his Rhode Island FC side to a crucial result in the USL Championship, officially clinching their second-straight playoff berth.
RIFC battled to a hard-fought 0-0 tie away at North Carolina FC at First Horizon Stadium. The hosts pressured the visitors repeatedly in the second half, but the RIFC defense delivered a resilient performance, securing the valuable road point needed to book their ticket to the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs.
In the NWSL, Mia Fishel and her Seattle Reign teammates secured their own playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Utah Royals at Lumen Field, with goals coming from Ainsley McCammon and Sofia Huerta.
In the English Women's League Cup, Aston Villa Women, with Bermudian legend Shaun Goater watching on as assistant coach, secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City.
Meanwhile, the clash between QPR Women (featuring goalkeeping coach Dashun Cooper) and AFC Bournemouth Women (featuring player Kenni Thompson) in the National League Cup was decided by a single goal. Thompson was the hero for Bournemouth, scoring the winner in the 77th minute after converting a penalty she earned herself, securing a 1-0 win.
The drama was highest for Jahni Simmons and her Coventry Sphinx Ladies FC teammates in their FA Cup preliminary round battle. After a hard-fought game ended level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the tie went straight to penalties.
Coventry Sphinx progressed to the First Round Proper in dramatic fashion, winning the shootout 4-3 thanks to some incredible penalty heroics from their young goalkeeper, who saved the final two spot-kicks.
Elsewhere, K’Shaela Burch-Waldron and her Sutton United Women teammates edged Barking 2-1 in their respective National League Cup fixture.
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