The Long Island Rough Riders will take the field for the first time in 2025 when they host the Charlotte Independence in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first-round game at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y., on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.
The USL League Two team has unveiled a 21-player roster for the match.
The roster is stocked with a combination of ex-pros, standout college athletes and Rough Riders players from the past two years.
Five Rough Riders Players to Watch:
Eryk Dymora, Goalkeeper
Dymora, who guarded the Long Island goal last summer, is coming off superb seasons for Monmouth University and the Rough Riders.
The 6-foot-2 goalkeeper earned First-Team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors for the second consecutive season after he backstopped the Hawks to an 8-2-6 record in 16 matches.
The Clifton, N.J., native allowed only 12 goals en route to an impressive 0.74 goals-against average.
Carlo Rittacio, Defender
A former standout for the legendary B.W. Gottschee youth soccer team, the 24-year-old Rittacio played for the Rough Riders from 2019 to 2021. The Westbury, N.Y., native also has professional experience, having played 19 games with Chicago Fire II in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022.
During his Rough Riders tenure, Rittacio was named to the USL League Two 20 Under 20 list.
The 6-foot-2, Rittacio was a standout at the University of Akron, where he made 52 starts in 58 appearances. In 2018, he helped anchor a strong defensive unit and was named National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Leonardo D’Ambrosio, Midfielder
D’Ambrosio, a native of Turin, Italy, played four seasons at the College of Charleston before transferring to Duke University as a graduate student for the 2025 season.
The 5-foot-11 midfielder is coming off an outstanding senior season, recording nine goals and seven assists.
D’Ambrosio, 23, helped Torino F.C. win the Italy Under-18 championship in 2019.
Thomas Lamaille, Defender
Lamaille is transferring from St. John’s University to North Carolina State University after an outstanding senior campaign in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound defender earned a spot on the All-Big East Second Team.
The Villejuif, France, native recorded one goal and three assists in 17 appearances.
Lamaille, 24, scored once for the Johnnies last year—but it was a crucial goal, securing a Big East quarterfinal win over Seton Hall University.
Jacob Woznicki, Forward
Woznicki, who was selected by LA Galaxy in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, is returning to Long Island after excellent seasons with the Rough Riders and Hofstra University.
The Bristol, Conn., native earned multiple honors with the Pride after tying for the team lead with 23 points (nine goals and five assists) as a graduate student. He finished tied for third place in the CAA in goals, fourth in points, and 10th in assists.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Woznicki was named a First-Team All-Atlantic Region selection and a First-Team All-CAA pick.
The Rough Riders’ USL League Two Season Opener
The Rough Riders will kick off their USL League Two season by hosting Ironbound SC at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y., on Sunday, May 18, at 6 p.m.
Detailed Roster by Position (College/Team):
Goalkeepers (3):
- Eryk Dymora (Duke)
- Gino Cervoni (Hofstra)
- Dani De Las Heras (Adelphi)
Defenders (7):
- Jeremy Sharp (St. John’s)
- Niklas Thanhofer (LIU)
- Gabriel Pacheco (Hofstra)
- Carlo Rittacio (Chicago Fire)
- Dino Feratovic (Iona)
- Matteo Piccardo (University of New Hampshire)
- Stephen Betz (Marist)
Midfielders (5):
- Thomas Lamaille (St. John’s)
- Leonardo D’Ambrosio (Duke)
- Patrick Osiecki (Monmouth)
- Pablo Ablanedo (Adelphi)
- Kyle Smith (Stony Brook)
Forwards (6):
- Elias Khodri (University of New Hampshire)
- Kevon Evans (St. Thomas Aquinas)
- Jakob Friedman (Monmouth)
- Miguel Diaz (St. John’s)
- Londell Wheeler (LIU)
- Jacob Woznicki (Hofstra)
All ticket types can be found HERE
Keep following www.LIRoughRiders.com for the latest details about the Open Cup game, their regular season schedule, and other news and updates.
Written by Michael Lewis