Match Preview: Rowdies vs Loudoun United
September 29, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Matchday 32
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Loudoun United
Saturday, September 30, 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
Hispanic Heritage Night
Tickets: Fans can purchase tickets for the match or at the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday
Asamoah Gyan Signing: Ghanaian soccer legend Asamoah Gyan will be signing autographs in the Midfield Courtyard from 6:30-7:15.
Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+
The Tampa Bay Rowdies look to clinch home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs this Saturday as they host Loudoun United FC. A win over Loudoun this weekend would be enough to secure a home fixture to kick off the playoffs. A draw versus Loudun could also get the job done if either Memphis or Louisville dropped points in their matches this weekend.
The top seed in the Eastern Conference and the best regular-season record in either conference are both still within reach for the Rowdies as well. However, it will take a strong finish in these final three matches to overcome the current leaders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Pittsburgh - who come to Al Lang next Saturday - sits three points ahead of the Rowdies at the start of the weekend.
"The aim since I came in, and probably all year long, is to make sure we have as many home playoff games as possible," said Rowdies Head Coach Nicky Law. "Obviously last year we only had the one and we saw how difficult it was to navigate our way into the final from there. When you're going on the road it's difficult in the playoffs, so I think for us our focus has been to get as many home games as possible come playoff time. To get that top spot is really the biggest thing. We made it a little bit difficult for ourselves with one or two of our results of late, but it is still there in our hands and that just means we have to win our remaining three games for that to happen."
Standing in Tampa Bay's way this weekend is a Loudoun United side that has been out of playoff contention for a few weeks but still poses a threat on any given matchday. Loudoun were just a few minutes away from knocking off Louisville City FC last week.
"Loudoun are playing with freedom and that could be dangerous for teams like ourselves," said Law. "With the talented players they have, Loudoun will come looking to just enjoy the game, play good football, and create chances. That is even more reason for us to have 100 percent focus and play both sides of the game. We have to compete, and we have to match their effort levels."
Cal Jennings Golden Boot Hunt
With three matches left in the regular season, Rowdies forward Cal Jennings is firmly in the hunt to claim in the USL Championship's Gold Boot, awarded to the league's top scorer in the regular season. Jennings has 16 tallies heading into Wednesday, one behind the league's current scoring leaders, Phoenix Rising FC's Danny Trejo and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC's Albert Dikwa.
Milestone Watch
Rowdies defender Conner Antley is nearing his 100th appearance for the Green & Gold. Heading into Saturday's encounter with Loudoun, has 98 appearances for the Rowdies in all competitions. Antley is one of a handful Rowdies to reach the mileston in 2023. Teammates Jordan Doherty and Lewis Hilton did so in recent weeks, while Aaron Guillen, Yann Ekra, and Sebastian Dalgaard all did so earlier in the first half of the year.
Injury Report
OUT: Leo Fernandes, Zach Herivaux, Abel Caputo
QUESTIONABLE: Jake Areman, Forrest Lasso, Dayonn Harris
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 29, 2023
- Preview: FC Tulsa at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - Saturday, September 30 - Pittsburgh, PA. 6:00 p.m. CT - FC Tulsa
- Everything You Need to Know Before Orange County SC Has a Duel in the Desert with Phoenix Rising FC - Orange County SC
- Hartford Look to Spoil Miami's Playoff Hopes on Saturday - Hartford Athletic
- Game Day: Hounds vs. FC Tulsa - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Miami FC Faces Hartford on Cusp of Playoffs - Miami FC
- Game Information and Match Notes - at Oakland Roots SC - San Antonio FC
- Match Preview: Rowdies vs Loudoun United - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- 2023 USL Championship Playoffs Clinching Scenarios - Week 30 - USL
- Monterey Bay Heads South to San Diego for Rematch with Loyal SC - Monterey Bay FC
- Battery Travel to El Paso for Final Away Match of Regular Season Saturday - Charleston Battery
- What to Watch for with LouCity at New Mexico United - Louisville City FC
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