Rowdies Match Preview vs Minnesota
Published on May 16, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
TAMPA, Fla. (May 16, 2013) -- The Basics:
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Minnesota United FC
2013 NASL Spring Season
Saturday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The match can be seen via NASL on Ustream
Follow us for live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesSoccer.
Records (W-T-L)
Tampa Bay: 2-2-1, 8 points, T-2nd place
Minnesota: 2-2-1, 8 points, T-2nd place
Series History
Since the Rowdies returned in 2010, Tampa Bay and United FC (formerly Minnesota Stars FC) have an identical record of 6-3-6 (W-T-L). While Minnesota had the edge in the 2011 Quarterfinal meeting, Tampa Bay led the regular season series in 2012 with two wins, one tie and one loss. The Rowdies earned their biggest win since their return to professional soccer in the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Finals, where they defeated Minnesota in penalty kicks at Al Lang Stadium on October 27.
Last Meeting:
The Rowdies were crowned champions of the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl after a shootout victory at Al Lang Stadium on October 27. Tampa Bay earned a 3-1 win in the second-leg, which erased Minnesota's two-goal lead after the first leg. The 3-3 aggregate score led the match to extra time, where both teams were unable to score. The Rowdies were helped by the sellout crowd at Al Lang Stadium, defeating Minnesota in penalty kicks to win the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl.
Rowdies Notes:
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are coming off their first of two bye weeks in the NASL Spring Season. After playing to a 1-1 draw against FC Edmonton at Al Lang Stadium on May 4, the Rowdies enjoyed a week off and are now in a three-way tie for second place alongside Minnesota and the Eddies.
Forward Georgi Hristov enters Saturday's match with seven points in his last four matches, including two goals and three assists. Tampa Bay's offense has also seen April's NASL Player of the Month Luke Mulholland tally eight points this season, thanks to three goals and two assists.
This match will be the first time forwards Amani Walker and Devin Del Do face their ex-club Minnesota. Both players had originally won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 2011 with Minnesota, while also playing in the 2012 Finals. In the 1st leg of the finals, Walker originally scored on the Rowdies to put Minnesota up with a powerful strike from outside the box. Del Do however, would go on and have his penalty kick saved in the shootout.
Scouting Minnesota:
United FC began the 2013 season with a four-game unbeaten run, before losing last week to the Strikers. With Manny Lagos at the helm, Minnesota has made back-to-back trips to the NASL Finals in 2011 and 2012. With a new ownership group who came on board following last year's loss in the Finals, the newly branded United FC look to make it to the Soccer Bowl once again.
Even though Minnesota signed last year's leading scorer Pablo Campos, it has been Simone Bracalello and Etienne Barbara who lead United FC with two goals. Campos picked up his first goal of the season in last week's 2-1 loss at Ft. Lauderdale. Bracalello also leads the team with two assists and 15 shots.
Quotable:
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
"These two matches versus Minnesota will be key in the final stretch for the Spring Season title and our players know that. Minnesota will be out for revenge from last year's loss in the finals, but we are prepared to go into these two games and hopefully come away with the six points. This new Minnesota team has seen the arrival of some great players and they have a great coach like Manny (Lagos). With that being said, our squad has numerous talented players and we are looking forward to what will be a great rematch of last year's Soccer Bowl Final."
Up Next:
Tampa Bay will open their participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this Tuesday, when they travel to play VSI Tampa Bay FC at Plant City Stadium. This second round matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
The Rowdies will host Minnesota on Saturday, May 25 at Al Lang Stadium. For information on2013 season ticketsorindividual ticketscontact the front office at813-287-1539ortickets@rowdiessoccer.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 16, 2013
- Eddies' Carlyle Mitchell Recalled by Vancouver Whitecaps FC - FC Edmonton
- Strikers Travel to San Antonio for Their First Match at New Toyota Field - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Sign Former Clemson Standout Mizell - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rowdies Match Preview vs Minnesota - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Miller Appointed Interim Canada Coach for Costa Rica Friendly - FC Edmonton
- North American Soccer League Week 7 Preview - NASL
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