Open Cup Preview: Rowdies vs Birmingham
Published on May 7, 2024 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The Tampa Bay Rowdies enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this Wednesday in a matchup with fellow USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC. It's the first of two bouts between Tampa Bay and Birmingham this week, as the two clubs are also set to face off in league play at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday evening.
"I think it's great competition," said Rowdies forward Cal Jennings. "We've got a tough opponent coming up in Birmingham. There's a lot on the line. I would say there's a great opportunity for us to advance through the tournament this year and make history... but first and foremost we've gotta focus on Wednesday and get one over a team that got the better of us last time."
Birmingham earned a spot in the Round of 32 by knocking off USL League One's Chattanooga Redwolves SC with a 4-2 result in extratime. The Rowdies earned placement straight into the Round of 32 based on their finish as one of the top teams in last year's USL Championship regular season standings. The winner of Wednesday's match will earn a spot in the Round of 16 against the winner between Memphis 901 FC and MLS' FC Dallas. Should the Rowdies advance, they would host in the Round of 16 no matter who the opponent is.
"Every game is important, to be honest with you," said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. "I think this is an opportunity for our team to continue to grow, progress, hopefully get to a final and win a trophy. If we can make it through this one, depending on how the Memphis and Dallas match goes, we could potentially get an MLS team, which would be great for us. So Wednesday's game is very important for us."
Series History
Tampa Bay and Birmingham have faced off quite a bit as Eastern Conference foes in the USL Championship over the last five seasons. They have also become accustomed to facing each other in a single-elimination setting. The two sides have met in the USL Championship playoffs in three of the last four seasons. The Rowdies have won two of those playoff meetings, with Birmingham claiming the most recent victory in last year's playoffs.
"Knockout games are exciting," said Jennings. "There is a little more on the line. You know that every moment matters. If you lose this game, you know it's not just 'go out and get the next one.' If you lose, you're out. There's definitely some pressure there, but I think you can ask anyone in any league, and they'll say they like the pressure. That's why we're here."
Scouting Birmingham
Birmingham Legion FC Head Coach Tom Soehn has managed to lead the squad to a playoff spot every year since the team joined the league in 2019. After playing their first eight matches of the regular season, Birmingham sits just on the line for playoff qualification as seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. Birmingham have won two out of their last five league matches and are averaging one goal scored per match. Last Saturday, Birmingham produced a last minute goal from Stefano Pinho to salvage a point with a 2-2 result at home.
Availability Report:
OUT: Zane Bubb (knee), Leo Fernandes (calf), Zach Herivaux (knee)
Matchday Info:
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Birmingham Legion FC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32
Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. ET
AutoZone Park, Memphis, TN
2024 League Records:
Rowdies: 3W-1L-4D, 13 pts, 4th East (2-0-2 at home)
Birmingham: 3W-3L-2D, 11 pts, 7th East (2-2-1 on the road)
Best Previous Open Cup Finish
Rowdies: Fourth Round/Round of 16, 2013 U.S. Open Cup
Birmingham: Quarterfinals, 2023 U.S. Open Cup
Tune in: Wednesday's match will be streamed live on the USL's YouTube Channel and USSoccer.com
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2024
- Monterey Bay F.C. Bows Out of 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with 2-0 Defeat to Sacramento in Round of 32 - Monterey Bay FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Blanks Monterey Bay F.C., 2-0 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Oakland Roots Lose Hard Fought Battle 1-0 Away in San Jose to Fall out of the U.S. Open Cup - Oakland Roots
- OCSC Falls to Loudoun United FC 2-1 in the Open Cup - Orange County SC
- Late Tulsa Goal Bounces Hounds from Cup - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Memphis 901 FC Falls to FC Dallas 1-0 in U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 - Memphis 901 FC
- FC Tulsa Moves on the Round of 16 for the First Time After Defeating Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1-0 - FC Tulsa
- Locomotive FC Update - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Etou Takes Place on Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Goodrum Named to USL Week 9 Team of the Week on Bench - FC Tulsa
- Battery's Chris Allan Named to USLC Week 9 Team of the Week - Charleston Battery
- Ronaldo Damus and Matt Mahoney Named to Team of the Week for Week 9 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Blake Earns Fourth Team of the Week Honor - Indy Eleven
- Memphis 901 FC's Marlon Santos earns Player of the Week after two goals, one assist against Rowdies - USL
- Battery Host Tormenta FC in U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 - Charleston Battery
- Match Notes (5.07.2024) - Oakland Roots SC vs San Jose Earthquakes - Oakland Roots
- Open Cup Preview: NCFC Hosts Phoenix Rising Wednesday - North Carolina FC
- Memphis 901 FC's Marlon Named USL Championship Player of the Week - Memphis 901 FC
- NCFC and Courage TST Teams' Groups and Schedules Revealed - North Carolina FC
- North Carolina Football Club Partners with Playfly Sports - North Carolina FC
- Memphis 901 FC Prepares for Golden Open Cup Opportunity at FC Dallas - Memphis 901 FC
- LouCity Faces MLS' Seattle Sounders in the Open Cup - Louisville City FC
- Open Cup Preview: Rowdies vs Birmingham - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Open Cup Game Day: Hounds vs. FC Tulsa - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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.
