Conference Quarterfinal Preview: Rowdies vs Birmingham
Published on October 19, 2023 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Toys for Tots Drive: Before you head into Al Lang, get in the giving spirit at the Rowdies Toys for Tots drive. Fans can drop off donations in front of the stadium box office. Fans who donate at least one item will be entered into a raffle to win a prize. Winners will be announced during the match.
Team Photo Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans through gates on Saturday will receive a 2023 Rowdies team photo.
Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+.
For the third time in four years, the Tampa Bay Rowdies will host Birmingham Legion FC in the playoffs at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies got the better of Birmingham in the previous two playoff battles, recording a 4-2 win in 2020 and a 1-0 victory in 2021. However, the visitors will take some confidence into this weekend's match after sweeping the Rowdies during in regular season with 2-0 and 1-0 victories.
The Rowdies last matchup against Birmingham on July 15 was the first test for the squad after the departure of former Head Coach Neill Collins. Coincidentally, the man who would take over for Collins a few weeks later, Nicky Law, was in attendance to scout the match as a member of Huntsville City FC's coaching staff.
"The work of the staff before me and these players all year long and myself since taking over has all led to this moment, the playoffs," said Law. "Our playoff run can be one week or it can be four weeks. There's so many emotions we're going to have to ride along the way I'm sure, ups, downs, good moments, bad moments. Hopefully we have more good moments than bad. It's the little things, the little details that we need to do to win any game, We're going to need all of those starting this Saturday against a really good, dangerous Birmingham team."
Playoff Ready
This year's Rowdies squad has faced its fair share of adversity. Along with losing Neill Collins to a new opportunity overseas, the Rowdies have had to contend with injuries throughout the squad most of the year and the extended absences of key contributors over the last few seasons, Leo Fernandes and Lewis Hilton. Fernandes defied the odds to return to the field in recent weeks after rupturing his Achilles in the preseason. Hilton also suffered a preseason ankle injury that required surgery which sidelined him from May to September, but the Englishman has become a regular in the starting lineup again over the last two months.
"Leo and Lewis are arguably our most influential players, so to still find ourselves where we are now is a testament to the group," said Law. "It's a testament to how they face these adverse moments and react to them. There's been plenty of those in my short time here as well. The injuries we've faced this year, I've never seen anything like that in 20 years in the sport. Week after week there's always been something and these guys have always responded. Whatever happens, I know these guys will give everything they've got and always come back fighting. I think as a coach that's all you can ask for."
Dynamic Duo Up Top
With Fernandes out for most of the year and Rowdies all-time leading scorer Sebastian Guenzatti departing for Indy, newcomers Cal Jennings and JJ Williams had some big shoes to fill. The duo did so admirably, ending the regular season with a combined 31 goals and 12 assists as the Rowdies lead the conference with 60 goals.
Home Field Advantage
For the fourth straight year, the Rowdies playoff journey will start at home. As the number two seed in the Eastern Conference, the Rowdies have guaranteed a home game not only this week but next week as well if they advance past Birmingham. The Rowdies have made Al Lang a fortress over the last few years when it comes to the playoffs, winning six of their last seven elimination matches played in front of their home supporters since 2020.
Injury Report
OUT: Zach Herivaux, Abel Caputo
QUESTIONABLE: Dayonn Harris
Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
Tampa Bay Rowdies (#2 seed) vs Birmingham Legion FC (#7 seed)
Saturday, October 18, 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
Tickets: Stop by the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 19, 2023
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