Former East Providence High School standout keeper Nate Silveira is one of two native Ocean Staters to be signed in recent days by Rhode Island FC, the fledgling franchise about to begin its inaugural United Soccer League (USL) Championship Division season in 2024.

RIFC announced his signing and that of midfielder Kevin Vang, who also has local ties, to contracts on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Vang, of Cranston, played his club soccer at with Bayside FC, operated by city native John Mark Andrade and Tony Vieira. Silveira played at the club level for Bruno United FC in Providence, but was coached by Vieira at EPHS.

Silveira grew up in the city and was a three-year starter for the Townies in net before graduating in the spring of 2018. He joins RIFC from Crown Legacy FC of MLS Next Pro. Vang, a former standout at Providence College, was also born in Rhode Island.

“To be able to sign two quality players from the state of Rhode Island is really special,” said Rhode Island FC head coach Khano Smith. “As a club, one of our objectives is to show that there is a pathway to the professional level. Kevin and Nate represent the level of talent coming out of the Ocean State and both have worked extremely hard to get to this point.”

Prior to his season with Crown Legacy FC, Silveira spent four years at the University of Vermont. During his time with the Catamounts, Silveira was named back-to-back America East Goalkeeper of the Year while wearing the captain’s armband in his two final seasons.

Silveira also gained valuable USL League Two experience in the summer between his final collegiate campaigns, captaining Vermont Green FC where he logged 900 minutes and recorded 27 saves. Before transferring to University of Vermont, the goalkeeper was named 2017 NECC Goalkeeper of the Year at Dean College and earned All-America honorable mention by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

Vang’s youth career took off while as a youngster playing from 2008-13 for Bayside FC, which led to his entry into the New England Revolution Academy. His play was recognized by U.S. Soccer, who called Vang into the U.S. Youth National Team Futures Camp in 2015 and an Under-17 National Team Camp in 2016.

A two-time captain for the junior Revs, Vang was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Eastern Conference Best XI for the 2016-17 season. In 2018, Vang made the jump to the collegiate ranks at Providence College, where Bayside's Andrade, himself a former standout player at Syracuse University and EPHS, was and remains an assistant coach. Through his years with the Friars, Vang made 83 appearances and recorded four goals and nine assists in 4,877 minutes.