PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As the team finished its historic inaugural season, fans gathered in Providence for an official watch party of Rhode Island FC’s USL Championship appearance. The team faced the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the USL Championship, losing by a score of 3-0.

Rhode Island is the first expansion club to reach the league finals since Sporting Kansas City II in 2016 and the first club to do it out of the Eastern Conference. The 2014 Sacramento Republic FC club is the only expansion team to win the season’s final game.

Rhode Island FC’s historic inaugural season came to an end in the USL Championship Final on Saturday when it fell 3-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. Becoming the first Eastern Conference team in league history to advance to the final match in its first season,

A watch party is scheduled for Friday at noon at Moonshine Alley.

"When we have time to reflect we should be really proud of what we've done and what they've done. Just the beginning..." says coach Khano Smith

For the first time ever, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks will host the USL Championship Finals. On Nov. 16, the Switchbacks advanced to the finals after shutting out Las Vegas 1-0. The 2024 season has marked the fourth consecutive berth in the USL Championship playoffs for the team.

They are the first expansion team in eight years to advance to the USL Championship Final in its inaugural season.

Rhode Island FC will play in the finals this Saturday against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and could become the first expansion team to win the title.