USL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Match Preview: Rowdies vs Oakland

July 7, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


Matchday 18 Info:

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Oakland Roots SC

Saturday, July 8, 7:30 p.m. ET

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL

Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets now or stop by the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday.

Matchday Specials: Bud Light, Budweiser, and Michelob Ultra beer are Buy One, Get One Free while supplies last for Saturday's match.

Lucky Mkosana Art Prints: Ralph's Mob member Mike Pendleton will be selling his limited edition art prints honoring Rowdies veteran Lucky Mkosana in the Midfield Courtyard at Saturday's match. All proceeds from sales will benefit Mkosana's academy back home in Zimbabwe.

Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are set to return home to Al Lang Stadium for the first time in nearly a month this Saturday as they host Oakland Roots SC. The match will also serve as a farewell to longtime Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins, who will depart in Sunday to take on the same position at Barnsley FC in the English Football League.

"We'll keep it business as usual as much as we possibly can on Saturday," said Collins. " One of the most enjoyable things in my times here has been winning and playing at Al Lang. We want to just see the Rowdies in all their glory on Saturday night."

Collins Legacy

Collins leaves the Rowdies as one of the most successful coaches in both club and USL Championship History. The 39-year-old has led the Rowdies to 98 wins in his 175 matches in charge across all competitions. Collins shepherded the Rowdies to two four straight playoff appearances, two Eastern Conference titles. He also guided the Rowdies to their best regular-season record in club history in 2021 with 71 points to claim the Players' Shield. His 85 wins in regular-season play ranks fourth all-time in USL Championship history.

Checking in at the Midway Point

This Saturday's matchup with Oakland will kick off the second half of the season for the Rowdies. Through 17 matches, the Rowdies are right in the mix for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings and the top spot overall in the USL Championship. They enter the weekend sitting third in the east but even at 31 points with Charleston and Pittsburgh, who hold first and second by virtue of tiebreaker.

Unbeaten Yet More to Prove

While the Rowdies head home unbeaten in their last ten outings, the performance level in the last two matches have not reached the standard the Rowdies have aimed for. On Saturday, the Rowdies will hope to look more like the Rowdies that fans have come to expect on Saturday nights at Al Lang.

"The last two performances haven't been quite the level we expect, particularly in Las Vegas, but I think there is mitigating factors," said Collins. "Both fields were below average and the travel factors into it. There's no excuses on Saturday. We have a fantastic field that's in great condition. We should be able to play exactly the way we want to play. The performance is exactly what we're looking for."

Antley on Team of the Week

Rowdies veteran Conner Antley earned his first USL Championship Team of the Week selection of the year after facilitating both goals for the Rowdies in the 2-1 win over Las Vegas Lights FC in Week 17. Antley, who is currently in his third season in Tampa Bay, has now recorded three assists on the season.

Check out the Tampa Bay Rowdies Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 7, 2023


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