Match Preview: #NSHvTBR
May 7, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The Basics
Nashville SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wednesday, May 8, 8 p.m. ET
First Tennessee Park, Nashville, Tennessee
Follow us for live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesGameday
How to Watch
The match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and online via ESPN3. International viewers can watch the match here.
Records
Tampa Bay: 4-0-5 (W-L-T); 2-0-2 on road; 3rd place
Nashville: 4-2-2 (W-L-T); 2-1-0 at home; 6th place
Rowdies Notes
The Tampa Bay Rowdies head to Nashville following back-to-back draws at home against the Charlotte Independence and on the road against the Indy Eleven. Those were the last two matches of a three-match week that ended May 1. The Rowdies have had a full week of prep leading into this match.
Tampa Bay's draw against Indy came despite the Eleven being reduced to 10 men by Paddy Barrett's second yellow card just 20 minutes into the match. The Rowdies were unable to capitalize on their man advantage which lasted more than 70 minutes. Tampa Bay took 15 shots but none were on target. It was the first time this season the Rowdies failed to record a shot on target.
The Rowdies are the last remaining unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference. This is the first time in 10 seasons of modern Rowdies history that the team has made it to the month of May without a loss. If the Rowdies avoid defeat in Nashville, their 10-match unbeaten streak would tie a Modern Era franchise record. That record was originally set between June 22 and September 21 of 2013.
Rowdies goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves and overcame a late injury scare to keep his fifth clean sheet of the season in Indianapolis. He is tied for the league lead in clean sheets and fourth in the league in saves. Tampa Bay has allowed four goals all season and is yet to conceded twice in a single match.
Flipping a trend from recent seasons on its head, Tampa Bay has actually been slightly better on the road than at home this season. In four road matches, the Rowdies have earned 2.0 points per game compared to 1.8 points per game from five home matches.
The Rowdies will once again be without a quartet of players due to injury. Forwards Malik Johnson and Jaime Siaj are yet to play this season due to lingering injuries. Defender Shawn Barry and midfielder Yann Ekra picked up ankle injuries on back-to-back days on the Rowdies bye weekend April 19 and 20, respectively. Both were key contributors prior to their injuries.
Injury Report
OUT: F Malik Johnson (separated shoulder)
OUT: F Jaime Siaj (quad strain)
DOUBTFUL: D Shawn Barry (ankle)
DOUBTFUL: M Yann Ekra (ankle)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2019
- Memphis 901 FC to Host New York Red Bulls U-23 in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Next Wednesday at AutoZone Park - Memphis 901 FC
- Nashville SC Happy to Begin Homestand with Nationally Televised Showdown with Tampa - Nashville SC
- Papa Murphy's Park Will Host 'Mexican Soccer Legends' Game on June 2 Between Chivas and Club America - Sacramento Republic FC
- Tribbett Named to USL Team of the Week - Nashville SC
- Goalkeeper Evan Newton Named USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 9 - Indy Eleven
- Kenardo Forbes Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Fresno's Christian Chaney Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Fresno FC
- Nashville SC up One Spot to 9th in USL Power Rankings - Nashville SC
- Forward Corey Hertzog Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors - Reno 1868 FC
- Wilmer A. Cabrera Jr. Earns Spot in USL Championship Team of the Week - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Indy's Newton Voted Championship Player of the Week - USL
- Match Preview: #NSHvTBR - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Independence Welcome Community to Free U.S. Open Cup Game - Charlotte Independence
- Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC V New York Red Bulls II - Ottawa Fury FC
- Indy Eleven, US Soccer Team up to Host May 21st Coaches Symposium at Grand Park - Indy Eleven
- Louisville City falls 3-2 at Swope Park on heartbreaking late goal - Louisville City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
