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USL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Matchday 9 Preview: Rowdies at Memphis 901 FC

April 26, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


Tampa Bay Rowdies (3W-1L-4D, 13pts) at Memphis 901 FC (3W-1L-1D, 10 pts)

Wednesday, April 27, 8pm ET

AutoZone Park, Memphis, TN

Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+

Follow Along: Live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesGameday

The Tampa Bay Rowdies close out a two-match road swing this Wednesday with a trip to Tennessee to face Memphis 901 FC. Wednesday's matchup at AutoZone Park will be the first time the two sides have met since the 2019 season. Tampa Bay won both contests by a combined scoreline of 6-0.

Memphis might have an advantage over the Rowdies heading into this week's match, though. While the Rowdies will be playing their seventh match in 27 days, Memphis will have fresh legs as they have not played since April 16. Saturday's opponent at Al Lang Stadium, San Diego Loyal FC, will also be considerably well rested since they haven't taken the field since April 19.

"We play a team on Wednesday night that haven't played since last Saturday," said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. "We play a team on Saturday night that hasn't played since last Tuesday. While we go and play (several) games in between... There's a lot of frustration but the boys are out there fighting extremely hard. We definitely need to improve a couple things and we're definitely up against it right now but that's going to bring the best out of us."

Tampa Bay comes into Wednesday's match off the back of a couple frustrating results. Despite a positive performance against Orlando City SC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last Wednesday, the Rowdies fell to the MLS side 2-1. They then dominated in nearly every statistical category on Saturday versus New York Red Bulls II but could only come away with a 1-1 draw after having a 90-minute penalty initially called and then reversed by the officiating crew. The Rowdies allowed New York just one shot on target in the match and it was enough to cost them points.

Collins has tinkered with the back line a bit in recent outings, as Laurence Wyke has gotten the start on the right side of the line. Wyke has looked comfortable alongside Conner Antley and Aaron Guillen over the last three matches, with his vision and passing to unlock the defense and set up two of Tampa Bay's goals against FC Tulsa. In the second half against New York, Antley showed he was still capable of being a threat going forward after he shifted up to the right wingback role he frequently filled in 2021. Antley's run into the final third and shot on goal set up Leo Fernandes for a rebound opportunity to level the match. Meanwhile, Jordan Scarlett put in a quality shift taking over in central defense to allow for Antley's shift up the field.

"I think Laurence has been excellent, as have our whole back three," said Collins. "I've been really pleased with his performance and it was another excellent one for him against New York."

One of the few benefits of Tampa Bay's congested schedule is the fact that Raiko Arozareana has already seen more minutes on the field this past week than he did all of last year. He earned his first start this year in the Rowdies' 6-0 Open Cup win against The Villages SC and was given his first start in league play in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win versus Tulsa. Arozarena then earned starting nods for the Rowdies in Orlando and New York. While the Rowdies keeper has yet to record a clean sheet in league play, he has shown his clear abilities with several quality saves. With more playing time, the young keeper is only likely to grow in confidence.

"I thought the Tulsa game was a good opportunity for Raiko to come in and since then I think he's done well," said Collins. "That's not taking away anything from what (CJ Cochran's) done, but it's like every position on the team. It's just that right now Raiko has the jersey, just like other people on the team have the jersey, and if I think it's the right time to change that I will."

Injury Report:

OUT: Robert Castellanos

QUESTIONABLE: Sebastian Dalgaard

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