Conference Semifinal Preview: Rowdies vs Memphis
October 28, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Matchday Info:
Eastern Conference Semfinal
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, October 29, 8:30 p.m. ET
AutoZone Park, Memphis, TN
Watch Party: Join the Rowdies for an official Conference Semifinal Watch Party at Colony Grill in Downtown St. Petersburg. Fans wearing Rowdies gear can enjoy 25% off all pizza starting at 8 p.m. ET. RSVP.
Stream: Saturday’s match can be stream on ESPN+.
Follow Along: Live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesGameday.
For the first time since 2020, the Rowdies are on the road for a playoff match. This Saturday, the Rowdies face Memphis 901 FC, the side they finished just one point behind in the regular season standings.
“We’ll try and mitigate the uncontrollables of having to travel by planning and organizing ourselves as best we possibly can,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “Outside of that, we’re going to play a really good opponent, someone we’ve battled all year with and they pipped us by only a point. Hopefully this is the game we can overtake them.”
Tampa Bay and Memphis split their regular season series this year, with each side posting a win in their home stadium. Memphis drew first blood with a 3-1 win at AutoZone Park back on April 27, while the Rowdies got even with a 2-0 victory at Al Lang Stadium on July 2.
In their last trip to Memphis, the Rowdies were in the midst of a congested schedule. The club was facing its fourth match in 11 days, three of which were on the road. Tampa Bay also had to contend with an injury forcing Lewis Hilton exit the match midway throughout the first half, followed by a red card for forward Steevan Dos Santos at the hour mark.
As the Rowdies head into AutoZone Park this weekend, they hope to carry on the momentum from their five straight wins, including last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Miami FC in the Conference Quarterfinal.
“The performance and the big moments of the game against Miami and dealing with adversity in the first half, being able to keep our composure, I thought that was excellent from the team,” said Collins. “Over the past few weeks we’ve gained some momentum. We’ve had consistency in our lineup and dealt with a couple of situations but by and large we have more people back fit. It’s just about building on that and also at the same time recognizing the task that’s in front of us.”
Strike Early
Be sure to tune in early on Saturday night. In their two regular season meetings this year, both Tampa Bay and Memphis got on the scoresheet in the opening minutes. Three goals in total were notched within the first five minutes of both contests. When the two sides met in April at AutoZone Park, both scored inside the first five minutes. In July, the Rowdies were the ones to strike early as Jake LaCava scored in the 3rd minute and the 19th minute.
Adapting to AutoZone Park
In losing out on hosting rights for the Semifinal round, the Rowdies must adapt to survive and advance to the Conference final next week. The narrow dimensions at Memphis’ AutoZone Park proved challenging for the Rowdies in April, but Collins views it as a challenge his players can overcome.
“It’s a tight field. We’re mindful of that,” said Collins. “A lot of our players have had experience with that either in their college careers or their professional careers going in different environments. I think by and large we’ve handled it well. We’re mindful of it, but it doesn’t change things drastically for us. Memphis have played some good football there. It’s their field, so obviously they know it better than anyone, but I thought we went to Tulsa having learned a couple of lessons from Memphis and played very well.”
Competitiveness Higher Than Ever
While he did not find his way onto the field last week against Miami, the mere inclusion of midfielder Jake Areman on the bench was a boost to the Rowdies championship hopes. With his return and midfielder Sebastian Dalgaard also closer to a return, the Rowdies have competition at every spot up and down the roster.
“If Jake continues to train the way he has, he’s certainly giving me some really tough decisions to make,” said Collins. “The sessions this week are some of the best we’ve had in my time here in terms of the competition. Some of the competitiveness we’ve got is unbelievable. It’s been a tough week for me, in the right way.”
Injury Report
OUT: CJ Cochran, Thomas Vancaeyezeele
QUESTIONABLE: Sebastian Dalgaard
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