News

Tampa Bay Rowdies at FC Edmonton

Sunday, July 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET

Clarke Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta

The match can be seen live at www.RowdiesSoccer.com by clicking here.

Records (W-T-L)
Tampa Bay: 7-3-6, 24 points
FC Edmonton: 3-4-8, 13 points

Series History
Tampa Bay owns a 3-1-1 mark (W-T-L) against FC Edmonton over the last two seasons, including victories in three consecutive meetings. The teams have met once in 2012, with the Rowdies posting a 1-0 victory in their home opener at Al Lang Stadium on April 14.

Last Meeting
The Rowdies knocked off FC Edmonton, 1-0, on Saturday, April 14 at Al Lang Stadium in their 2012 home opener. Defender Takuya Yamada notched the game-winner in the home opener for the second consecutive season, scoring in the 20th minute after an assist from defender Andres Arango.

Rowdies Notes
Tampa Bay saw its four-game winning streak, the longest stretch of consecutive victories for the club since it returned in 2010, come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Minnesota on Thursday night. Forward Matt Clare scored the lone goal for the Rowdies in the 80th minute, but the Stars held on for the victory.

Rowdies forward Tsuyoshi Yoshitake was named the NASL Player of the Month for June 2012 this past Monday. Yoshitake scored four goals and added one assist in his three games played in the month of June, helping the Rowdies to victories in all three matches.

The award marks the first monthly honor for a Rowdies player this season. Last season, two Tampa Bay players, forwards Mike Ambersley and Aaron King, captured the NASL Player of the Month award, with Ambersley winning in August 2011 and King earning the honor in July 2011. The Rowdies have already claimed six weekly NASL awards this season, tops in the league.

Yoshitake has five goals in his last five matches and leads the Rowdies in both points (14) and goals (6) this season. His six goals are tied for fourth in the league.

Forward Daniel Antoniuk stands tied for sixth in the NASL with five goals. Forward Mike Ambersley and midfielder Keith Savage are tied for third in the NASL with four assists each in 2012.

Rowdies against FC Edmonton (2011-12 seasons)
Forward Mike Ambersley has a goal and an assist against FC Edmonton. Midfielder Shane Hill and defender Takuya Yamada each have scored once against FC Edmonton.

Scouting FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton currently sits in seventh place in the NASL standings with 13 points. FC Edmonton has posted a 2-2-2 mark at home, but has earned just five points total in nine road matches. FC Edmonton is coming off a 1-1 tie on the road at Puerto Rico last Saturday on the road at Bayamon Soccer Complex.
 
Midfielder Shaun Saiko leads the team with five goals and four assists, and is the league leader with 47 shots.

FC Edmonton has allowed just 17 goals in 15 matches, the third-fewest in the league, but has scored a league-low 13 goals.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
"Every team in the league presents its own set of challenges, and FC Edmonton is no different. It is a long trip to travel to the match, and the AstroTurf field also presents a different style of play for both teams. I know the players are disappointed after our loss at Minnesota, but I am hoping they can rise to the challenge and we can earn a positive result on Sunday afternoon."

Up Next
The Rowdies return to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg for two consecutive home games, beginning on Saturday, July 21 against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.