Match Preview: NYRB II Travels to Face the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Final USL Championship Match
October 15, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – New York Red Bulls II News Release
HARRISON, N.J. – New York Red Bulls II (3-24-6, 15 points) will travel to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies (19-7-7, 64 points) on Saturday, October 15 at Al Lang Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage available on ESPN+.
Saturday’s match will mark New York’s last in USL Championship, as it will transition to MLS NEXT Pro for the start of the 2023 season. In 252 matches, the club won 98, qualified for the postseason five of its eight seasons, and won nine postseason matches along with the 2016 USL Cup.
New York and Tampa Bay will meet for the 14th time in their history, with Tampa Bay holding a slight 6-4-3 edge in the all-time series. In the first meeting this season, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw on April 23 at MSU Soccer Park. Five of the last six matches between New York and Tampa Bay have been decided by one goal or less. It will mark only the third meeting at Al Lang Stadium in the last eight.
Red Bulls II will look to bounce back in the season finale after falling to Memphis 901 FC, 2-1, at AutoZone Park on October 9. Stiven Plaza scored his first Red Bulls II goal and Omar Valencia tallied his first assist with the club.
Tampa Bay defeated El Paso Locomotive FC 3-1 on Wednesday, October 12 at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies have won their last three matches, outscoring opponents 13-3. They are led by the goal scoring duo of Leo Fernandes and Jake LaCava, who have combined for 30 goals on the campaign.
New York sits 14th in the Eastern Conference, while Tampa Bay ranks 3rd.
The match marks 2022 season finale for Red Bulls II, concluding a three-match road stretch to end the campaign. The club will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2023.
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