Preview: Rowdies vs Monterey Bay
Published on October 3, 2025 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
USL Championship Matchday 27
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Monterey Bay FC
Saturday, October 4, 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
2025 League Records:
Rowdies: 7W-13L-6D, 27 pts, 10th East (3-5-4 at home)
Monterey: 7W-13L-7D, 28 pts, 10th West (1-9-5 on the road)
Happy Hour: Enjoy $3 Michelob Ultra beer inside the stadium from 6:30 p.m. until kickoff.
Modern Era Night Autographs: Modern Era Rowdies legends will be in attendance for a special pre-match autograph session in the Midfield Courtyard from 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Poster Giveaway: Free 50th Anniversary "Soccer is a Kick in the Grass" posters will be available for fans at the autograph session while supplies last.
75/10 Club Ceremony: Legendary Rowdies Defender Takuya Yamada will be inducted as the 5th member of the 75/10 Club during a halftime ceremony at Saturday's match. Read more.
Gear Up for Goals: The Rowdies have teamed up with Kemper Auto to support young players throughout Tampa Bay with a soccer gear drive. All gear will be donated to the Hispanic Services Council in support of their work offering equal access and opportunities to Tampa Bay's Latino population. Visit rowdiessoccer.com/gear-up for a list of requested donation items. Gear can be dropped off before the match outside of Gate 2 at Al Lang Stadium.
Tune In: Tampa Bay 44, ESPN+
The Tampa Bay Rowdies host Monterey Bay FC this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium in a crucial matchup in the push for the playoffs. While a loss or a draw won't mathematically eliminate the Rowdies from playoff contention, anything but a win could drastically damage their cause for a seventh straight playoff appearance. Heading into the weekend, the Rowdies sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, five points back of Indy Eleven for the final playoff spot with only four matches left to play.
Saturday's opponent finds themselves in similar circumstances. Monterey is also currently outside of the playoff picture looking in as the 10th place team in the Western Conference. However, Monterey has just three matches remaining to climb above the playoff line.
For the Rowdies, the goal this weekend and every match down the stretch remains finding a way to convert draws into wins. The club is unbeaten in four straight matches, their longest stretch without a defeat since July of last year, but they've only picked up one victory in their recent unbeaten run. With four matches remaining, full three-point results are at a premium.
Series History
The Rowdies hold the edge over Monterey in their all-time series, with two wins and one draw. Last year, Monterey earned their first point in the series as the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw at Cardinale Stadium. Saturday also marks Tampa Bay's final regular season matchup against Western Conference opposition. The Rowdies have yet to register a win versus a team from out west so far this year, with a record of three draw and four defeats.
Marie Up for Player of the Month
Rowdies loanee Paul Marie has been nominated for USL Player of the Month after a stellar September for the club. The Frenchman has helped revitalize the Rowdies playoff cause since joining on loan from Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes at the end of August. Marie recorded three goals and two assists in five appearances to tie for the most goal contributions of any player across the league in September, posting a 62.5% shooting accuracy rate and 30% shot conversion rate while recording four chances created.
Fans can cast their vote for Marie for Player of the Month.
Pacius Gets the Call Up
Tampa Bay's leading scorer is getting his first shot at the international level. The Haitian national team has called up forward Woobens Pacius for the country's upcoming qualifying matches next year's FIFA World Cup. Pacius joins Haiti for matchups against Nicaragua on Thursday, October 9 and Honduras on Monday, October 13. Joining Pacius in camp will be Fafa Picault, an MLS Veteran who began his career with the Rowdies as a member of the club's 2012 championship team.
Pacius, on loan from Nashville SC, leads the Rowdies with 10 goals on the regular season and 13 across all competitions. It's the third time that the 24-year-old attacker has registered double digit goals in a season.
A Legend Gets His Due
A defining player from the early years of the Tampa Bay Rowdies Modern Era is set to be welcomed as the newest addition to the Rowdies 75/10 Club. Legendary Rowdies Defender Takuya Yamada, a member of the inaugural roster when the reborn Rowdies kicked off in 2010 and the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship team, will be officially inducted into the 75/10 Club during a halftime ceremony of Saturday's match.
Yamada will be in attendance for the induction ceremony as he joins his former teammate Keith Savage and Original Era legends Mike Connell, Eddie Firmani and Perry Van der Beck as thew newest member of the 75/10 Club.
"I'm deeply honored to be inducted into the 75/10 Club as the Rowdies celebrate their 50th anniversary," said Yamada. "Looking back, I'm filled with gratitude for all the teammates, coaches, club staff, and especially the passionate fans of Ralph's Mob who supported me through the years. I still clearly remember the day I made the decision in 2010 to take the challenge of playing overseas and arrived in Tampa Bay. I could barely speak the language and had no idea what to expect, but I was welcomed with warmth by the community and my teammates. The time I spent with the Rowdies remains one of the most cherished parts of my life, and I take great pride in having contributed to its history. I sincerely hope this club will continue to grow and be loved for many years to come. Thank you from bottom of my heart."
Rowdies Availability Report
SUSPENDED: Wyke (Yellow Card Accumulation)
OUT: Bassett, Hilton, Fernandes, Moon, Niyongabire
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 3, 2025
- Detroit City FC Opens October with a Home Match this Saturday against North Carolina FC - Detroit City FC
- Match Preview: Republic FC at Hartford Athletic (USL Jägermeister Cup Final) - Sacramento Republic FC
- Monterey Bay Visits Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in Final Regular Season Road Match of the 2025 Campaign - Monterey Bay FC
- Rowdies Woobens Pacius Earns First Call-Up to Haitian National Team - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- El Paso Locomotive FC Look to Build Momentum against Orange County SC - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Homegrown Defender Chibi Ukaegbu to Join U-20 U.S. Men's National Team Training Camp - Sacramento Republic FC
- Match Preview: North Carolina FC vs. Detroit City FC - North Carolina FC
- Hartford Athletic's Owen Presthus Receives U-20 U.S. National Team Training Camp Call-Up - Hartford Athletic
- Lexington SC Gears up for Match with Top-Ranked Tulsa in the Sooner State - Lexington Sporting Club
- New Mexico United Set for Crucial Clash with Phoenix Rising FC - New Mexico United
- What to Watch for as LouCity Hosts Indy Eleven with Players' Shield Near - Louisville City FC
- Preview: Rowdies vs Monterey Bay - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts and United Soccer League Team Up to Celebrate Community Champions with Launch of Hometown Heroes Award - USL
- Patrick Zalupski Acquires Ownership of Rowdies - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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