NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies Match Notes for Saturday, May 25, 2013

Published on May 24, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


Match Preview

The Rowdies look to earn three points against United FC on Saturday, in order to be the lone leader in the NASL.

Series History

Since the Rowdies returned in 2010, Tampa Bay leads the series with a record of 7-3-6 (W- T-L). The Rowdies defeated Minnesota 3-2 in their only meeting this season. The Rowdies earned their biggest win since their return to professional soccer in the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Finals, where they defeated Minnesota in penalty kicks at Al Lang Stadium on October 27.

Last Meeting:

Last Saturday, the Rowdies earned their third straight away victory defeating United FC 3-2 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Midfielder Shane Hill had originally given the Rowdies the lead in the dying moments of the first half, but Minnesota would level it thanks to a goal by Michael Reed in the 54th minute. On the ensuing play midfielder Luke Mulholland scored his fourth goal of the season putting the Rowdies up 2-1. That lead would hold for 10 minutes, before United FC's Bracalello's tied things up at 2-2. The Rowdies went ahead in the 90th minute thanks to Keith Savage who scored the final goal of the night.

Scouting Minnesota

United FC's 2013 season looked promising as they entered Week 6 with a four-game unbeaten run, but Ft. Lauderdale Strikers would serve Minnesota their first loss of the season. A week later, the Rowdies would defeat the northern team 3-2 making their NASL record 2-2-2.

United FC suffered their third straight loss this Tuesday, when they dropped their second round U.S. Open Cup match 1-0 to Des Moines Menace (USL PDL).

The newly branded United FC is led by their top goal scorer Simone Bracalello, who has three goals this season. The Italian native also leads the team with three assists and 20 shots this season.

Up Next

With Tampa Bay's U.S. Open Cup win on Tuesday, the reigning NASL Champions advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup where they will host Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. To purchase tickets for this memorable match, call 813-287-1539.

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