2016
RFS made their debut in Latvia’s top-tier football league, the Virsliga, after quickly assembling a team in less than a month. The club was led by Latvian businessman Artjoms Milovs, who became president of the club, with the LNK Group as the general sponsor. To compete at this level, they signed experienced players, many of whom had played for Skonto FC, one of Latvia’s most successful clubs. Key signings included Ritus Krjauklis, a center-back from FK Ventspils, and forward Aleksejs Višņakovs.
Their first season in the Virsliga was a learning experience, with the team finishing 6th out of 8 teams, only 5 points ahead of the relegation playoff spot. Despite struggles, RFS showed flashes of potential, winning 9, drawing 8, and losing 11 games. However, their attack was weak, scoring only 22 goals — the second-lowest tally in the league. During the season, the club also reached the Latvian Cup quarterfinals, after an emphatic 7–0 victory over FK Ogre. RFS had issues with consistency in management, changing coaches twice, but ended the season under Jurijs Ševļakovs.
RFS made their debut in Latvia’s top-tier football league, the Virsliga, after quickly assembling a team in less than a month. The club was led by Latvian businessman Artjoms Milovs, who became president of the club, with the LNK Group as the general sponsor. To compete at this level, they signed experienced players, many of whom had played for Skonto FC, one of Latvia’s most successful clubs. Key signings included Ritus Krjauklis, a center-back from FK Ventspils, and forward Aleksejs Višņakovs.
Their first season in the Virsliga was a learning experience, with the team finishing 6th out of 8 teams, only 5 points ahead of the relegation playoff spot. Despite struggles, RFS showed flashes of potential, winning 9, drawing 8, and losing 11 games. However, their attack was weak, scoring only 22 goals — the second-lowest tally in the league. During the season, the club also reached the Latvian Cup quarterfinals, after an emphatic 7–0 victory over FK Ogre. RFS had issues with consistency in management, changing coaches twice, but ended the season under Jurijs Ševļakovs.
2017
RFS began the 2017 season under new manager Andrejs Kaļiņins, and they strengthened their squad with several new signings, including Aleksandrs Cauņa, a former Watford and CSKA Moscow midfielder. They also added Latvian talent, such as Roberts Savaļnieks from FK Liepāja, and Georgian defender Lasha Shergelashvili. One of the key signings was Igors Kozlovs, who became the club’s top scorer after joining permanently.
The season kicked off positively, with RFS beating reigning champions Jūrmalas Spartaks 2–1, thanks to a brace by Roberts Uldriķis. Despite their promising start, RFS finished 5th in the Virsliga, narrowly missing out on a Europa League qualification spot. On the final matchday, they failed to beat FK Jelgava, which could have secured a higher finish. In the Latvian Cup, they reached the semi-final for the second year in a row but were eliminated by FK Ventspils in a tight two-legged tie, with Aleksejs Višņakovs missing a crucial penalty in the dying moments.
RFS began the 2017 season under new manager Andrejs Kaļiņins, and they strengthened their squad with several new signings, including Aleksandrs Cauņa, a former Watford and CSKA Moscow midfielder. They also added Latvian talent, such as Roberts Savaļnieks from FK Liepāja, and Georgian defender Lasha Shergelashvili. One of the key signings was Igors Kozlovs, who became the club’s top scorer after joining permanently.
The season kicked off positively, with RFS beating reigning champions Jūrmalas Spartaks 2–1, thanks to a brace by Roberts Uldriķis. Despite their promising start, RFS finished 5th in the Virsliga, narrowly missing out on a Europa League qualification spot. On the final matchday, they failed to beat FK Jelgava, which could have secured a higher finish. In the Latvian Cup, they reached the semi-final for the second year in a row but were eliminated by FK Ventspils in a tight two-legged tie, with Aleksejs Višņakovs missing a crucial penalty in the dying moments.
2018
RFS took a significant step forward in 2018 under the leadership of new head coach Valdas Dambrauskas, who joined from Žalgiris Vilnius. With his attacking philosophy, RFS had their best season yet, finishing 3rd in the league, just behind champions Riga FC and FK Ventspils. This high finish earned RFS their first-ever spot in European competition qualifiers. Their attacking play was exceptional, scoring 57 goals in 28 games, the highest goal ratio in the league.
Key players included Roberts Savaļnieks and Roberts Uldriķis, both of whom contributed to 27 goals that season. Another standout was Ukrainian striker Maksym Marusych, who scored 15 goals. Despite these successes, RFS once again faltered in the Latvian Cup, losing 2–1 in the semi-finals to FK Ventspils.
RFS took a significant step forward in 2018 under the leadership of new head coach Valdas Dambrauskas, who joined from Žalgiris Vilnius. With his attacking philosophy, RFS had their best season yet, finishing 3rd in the league, just behind champions Riga FC and FK Ventspils. This high finish earned RFS their first-ever spot in European competition qualifiers. Their attacking play was exceptional, scoring 57 goals in 28 games, the highest goal ratio in the league.
Key players included Roberts Savaļnieks and Roberts Uldriķis, both of whom contributed to 27 goals that season. Another standout was Ukrainian striker Maksym Marusych, who scored 15 goals. Despite these successes, RFS once again faltered in the Latvian Cup, losing 2–1 in the semi-finals to FK Ventspils.
2019
With a successful transfer window, RFS entered 2019 as one of the favorites to challenge for the Virsliga title. They brought in several strong players, including defenders Vitālijs Jagodinskis and Nauris Bulvītis from FK Ventspils. The summer transfer window saw the arrival of Serbian striker Darko Lemajič, the top scorer for rivals Riga FC for the previous two seasons. He immediately impacted, scoring 16 goals in the remaining 19 matches of the season.
RFS finished the season in 2nd place, just 7 points behind rivals Riga FC. However, they did manage to win their first-ever Latvian Cup, defeating FK Jelgava 3–2 in the final after extra time, with Tomas Šimkovic scoring the winner.
On the European stage, RFS debuted in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, facing Slovenian Cup winners NK Olimpija Ljubljana. Despite a 3–2 away win in Slovenia, RFS were knocked out after losing the return leg 2–0, resulting in a 4–3 aggregate loss.
With a successful transfer window, RFS entered 2019 as one of the favorites to challenge for the Virsliga title. They brought in several strong players, including defenders Vitālijs Jagodinskis and Nauris Bulvītis from FK Ventspils. The summer transfer window saw the arrival of Serbian striker Darko Lemajič, the top scorer for rivals Riga FC for the previous two seasons. He immediately impacted, scoring 16 goals in the remaining 19 matches of the season.
RFS finished the season in 2nd place, just 7 points behind rivals Riga FC. However, they did manage to win their first-ever Latvian Cup, defeating FK Jelgava 3–2 in the final after extra time, with Tomas Šimkovic scoring the winner.
On the European stage, RFS debuted in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, facing Slovenian Cup winners NK Olimpija Ljubljana. Despite a 3–2 away win in Slovenia, RFS were knocked out after losing the return leg 2–0, resulting in a 4–3 aggregate loss.
2020
In early 2020, head coach Valdas Dambrauskas left for Croatian side HNK Gorica, and his assistant Viktors Morozs was promoted to head coach. The season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league starting late, in June, and the format reduced to three rounds instead of four. Despite the challenges, RFS had a solid season, finishing 2nd in the league, just 3 points behind champions Riga FC.
RFS continued to add international talent, including Slovenian defender Žiga Lipušček, Argentine midfielder Leonel Strumia, and Brazilian forward Emerson Deocleciano, who emerged as a breakout star. Emerson became Virsliga’s top scorer, finding the net 11 times. However, RFS did not retain their Latvian Cup title, falling in the semi-finals to FK Jelgava. In European qualifiers, they were once again eliminated in the first round, losing 1–0 to Serbian side Partizan.
In early 2020, head coach Valdas Dambrauskas left for Croatian side HNK Gorica, and his assistant Viktors Morozs was promoted to head coach. The season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league starting late, in June, and the format reduced to three rounds instead of four. Despite the challenges, RFS had a solid season, finishing 2nd in the league, just 3 points behind champions Riga FC.
RFS continued to add international talent, including Slovenian defender Žiga Lipušček, Argentine midfielder Leonel Strumia, and Brazilian forward Emerson Deocleciano, who emerged as a breakout star. Emerson became Virsliga’s top scorer, finding the net 11 times. However, RFS did not retain their Latvian Cup title, falling in the semi-finals to FK Jelgava. In European qualifiers, they were once again eliminated in the first round, losing 1–0 to Serbian side Partizan.
2021
2021 was a historic season for RFS as they secured their first-ever Virsliga title, completing a domestic double by also winning the Latvian Cup for the second year in a row. They started the season slowly but went on an impressive 12-match unbeaten run. Their European campaign began with a 6–5 aggregate victory over KI Klaksvik in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, followed by a shock 5–0 aggregate win against Hungarian side Puskas Akademia. However, they were eventually knocked out by Belgian club KAA Gent.
On the domestic front, RFS remained neck and neck with Riga FC for the title. In a pivotal match with two games left, they drew with Riga FC, meaning the title race went down to the final day. RFS secured the championship with a 2–0 win against FK Daugavpils, thanks to goals from Andrej Ilić and Tomáš Šimkovic. This victory also completed the club’s continental double.
2021 was a historic season for RFS as they secured their first-ever Virsliga title, completing a domestic double by also winning the Latvian Cup for the second year in a row. They started the season slowly but went on an impressive 12-match unbeaten run. Their European campaign began with a 6–5 aggregate victory over KI Klaksvik in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, followed by a shock 5–0 aggregate win against Hungarian side Puskas Akademia. However, they were eventually knocked out by Belgian club KAA Gent.
On the domestic front, RFS remained neck and neck with Riga FC for the title. In a pivotal match with two games left, they drew with Riga FC, meaning the title race went down to the final day. RFS secured the championship with a 2–0 win against FK Daugavpils, thanks to goals from Andrej Ilić and Tomáš Šimkovic. This victory also completed the club’s continental double.
2022
RFS aimed to defend their title in 2022 while also making their Champions League qualifying debut. Despite losing key players like Roberts Savaļnieks and Leon Strumia, they added Latvian goalkeeper Pāvels Šteinbors to bolster the squad. However, RFS were eliminated from the Champions League by HJK Helsinki, falling to the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
In the Conference League, RFS made history by qualifying for the group stage, defeating Northern Irish champions Linfield in a dramatic penalty shootout. They performed admirably in the group stage, securing a famous 1–1 draw away to Fiorentina. However, they ultimately finished bottom of their group, with losses to Heart of Midlothian and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Domestically, RFS struggled, finishing 3rd in the league and losing the Latvian Cup final to FK Auda. They did, however, secure a place in European competition qualifiers for the following season.
RFS aimed to defend their title in 2022 while also making their Champions League qualifying debut. Despite losing key players like Roberts Savaļnieks and Leon Strumia, they added Latvian goalkeeper Pāvels Šteinbors to bolster the squad. However, RFS were eliminated from the Champions League by HJK Helsinki, falling to the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
In the Conference League, RFS made history by qualifying for the group stage, defeating Northern Irish champions Linfield in a dramatic penalty shootout. They performed admirably in the group stage, securing a famous 1–1 draw away to Fiorentina. However, they ultimately finished bottom of their group, with losses to Heart of Midlothian and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Domestically, RFS struggled, finishing 3rd in the league and losing the Latvian Cup final to FK Auda. They did, however, secure a place in European competition qualifiers for the following season.
2023
The 2023 season saw significant changes for RFS. They lost experienced players like Tomáš Šimkovic and Kevin Friesenbichler but added key Latvian players, including Mārcis Ošs and Jānis Ikaunieks. Despite a slow start with only two wins in their first five matches, RFS remained unbeaten through the summer and climbed up the table, battling rivals Riga FC for the title.
In the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, RFS advanced past Macedonian side Makedonija GP but were knocked out in the second round by Azerbaijani side FK Sabah. Domestically, their impressive 39-match unbeaten run came to an end with a loss to Valmiera FC, but they rebounded and remained close to Riga FC in the title race.
In the final match of the season, Riga FC drew with Valmiera, giving RFS the chance to clinch the title. RFS defeated FK Metta with a crucial penalty converted by Jānis Ikaunieks, securing their second Virsliga championship.
The 2023 season saw significant changes for RFS. They lost experienced players like Tomáš Šimkovic and Kevin Friesenbichler but added key Latvian players, including Mārcis Ošs and Jānis Ikaunieks. Despite a slow start with only two wins in their first five matches, RFS remained unbeaten through the summer and climbed up the table, battling rivals Riga FC for the title.
In the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, RFS advanced past Macedonian side Makedonija GP but were knocked out in the second round by Azerbaijani side FK Sabah. Domestically, their impressive 39-match unbeaten run came to an end with a loss to Valmiera FC, but they rebounded and remained close to Riga FC in the title race.
In the final match of the season, Riga FC drew with Valmiera, giving RFS the chance to clinch the title. RFS defeated FK Metta with a crucial penalty converted by Jānis Ikaunieks, securing their second Virsliga championship.
