News

The Basics
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Minnesota Stars FC

Saturday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET

NSC Stadium, Blaine, Minnesota

The match can be seen live online at www.RowdiesSoccer.com - click here.

You can also watch the game at Crowley's Downtown Grill and Bar (269 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701).

Records (W-T-L)
Tampa Bay: 3-3-5, 12 points
Minnesota: 4-5-1, 17 points

Series History
Since the Rowdies return in 2010, the regular season series is tied, with each team owning three wins and three losses, and three 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
The Rowdies and the Stars played to a scoreless tie at Al Lang Stadium on May 25. With the tie, the Rowdies snapped Minnesota's winning streak at three and the Stars were held scoreless for the first time in their last six matches. Tampa Bay's defense held the Stars to just one shot on goal in the match after Minnesota had scored 14 total goals in its previous five matches.

Rowdies Notes
The Rowdies have a chance to move up in the standings with a victory. Minnesota sits in third place, just five points ahead of Tampa Bay, and the Stars are only three points behind league leader Puerto Rico.

The Rowdies have yet to allow a first half goal in league play in 2012 and have outscored their opponents 5-0 in the first 45 minutes of games thus far.

Rowdies forward Daniel Antoniuk is tied for seventh in the NASL with a team-high four goals and stands tied for ninth in the league with a team-best nine points.

Scouting Minnesota
The Minnesota Stars suffered their first loss of the 2012 NASL season with a 5-1 loss on the road at Carolina last Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

Minnesota is currently in third place in the NASL standings with 17 points, just three points behind league leaders Puerto Rico with 20 points.

Forward Amani Walker leads the Stars with three goals and three assists so far this season. Goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel ranks fifth in the NASL with a 1.44 goals against average.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
“Minnesota is coming off its first loss in league play and we know that they are going to be fired up. They are a tough side and they are determined. It’s not an easy place to go and play. I know last year we did particularly well over there during this series but it is a whole new season. We have to go there and bring our best game."

Up Next
Tampa Bay returns home for a three-match homestand starting on Saturday, June 23 when the Rowdies host San Antonio at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, presented by Jimmy John’s. For ticket information for all Rowdies home games, call 813-287-1539 or click here.