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Match Preview: Rowdies vs. Minnesota Stars FC
Posted on Thu, May 24, 2012

The Basics
Military Appreciation Night

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota Stars FC

Friday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Florida

Tickets are still available - call 813-287-1539 or click here. The box office at the stadium opens at 4:30 p.m. on gameday.

The Bayshore Beer Garden opens at 5:30 p.m.

The match can be seen live online at www.RowdiesSoccer.com - Play-by-Play: Darek Sharp, Color: Winston DuBose

Giveaway: The first 500 fans will receive the official 2012 team photo, courtesy of Fast Signs of Fowler

FYSA Night of Champions: Local youth teams will be recognized prior to the match

Records (W-T-L)
Tampa Bay Rowdies: 3-2-3, 11 points
Minnesota Stars FC: 4-3-0, 15 points

Series History
The all-time regular season series is tied, with each team owning three wins and three losses, and two matches ending in draws. Minnesota captured the lone postseason meeting with a 1-0 victory in the 2011 NASL quarterfinals.

2011 Series
Tampa Bay went undefeated against the Stars in the 2011 regular season with two wins and two ties. The clubs also met in the quarterfinals of the NASL playoffs, with Minnesota eliminating Tampa Bay with a 1-0 victory at Al Lang Stadium last October 1.

Last Meeting
Minnesota captured a 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay in the 2011 NASL Quarterfinals on October 1 at Al Lang Stadium. Current Rowdies forward Luke Mulholland, who played for Minnesota last season, scored the lone goal of the match for the Stars in the 27th minute when his free kick deflected past Tampa Bay goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. After taking just three shots in the first 45 minutes, Tampa Bay put pressure on the Stars in the second half and outshot Minnesota 8-4, including six on goal, but could not produce the tying goal.

Rowdies Notes
Rowdies forward Daniel Antoniuk was named the NASL Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after his two-goal performance last Saturday in Tampa Bay's 3-2 victory at Atlanta. Antoniuk is tied for third in the NASL with a team-high four goals and stands tied for fifth in the league with a team-best nine points.

Forward Mike Ambersley is tied for fourth in the league with a team-high two assists, and ranks second on the Rowdies with two goals this season.

Scouting Minnesota
Minnesota is the last remaining unbeaten team in NASL play this season with four wins and three draws. The Stars are in second place with 15 points, trailing only Puerto Rico with 17 points.

Forward Amani Walker leads the Stars with three goals and three assists thus far. Goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel ranks fourth in the NASL with a 1.14 goals against average.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
"We respect Minnesota and know that it will be a difficult challenge Friday night. They are the defending NASL champions and are undefeated so far this season."

Up Next
The Rowdies will face Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup this Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.

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Tampa Bay Rowdies
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