News

FC Tampa Bay opens a season-long three-match homestand this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium and the three games feature a lot of interesting storylines.

Here is a look at FCTB’s upcoming three opponents:

Atlanta Silverbacks
Saturday, April 30 – 7:00 p.m.
Al Lang Stadium

After a self-imposed two-year hiatus, the Silverbacks have returned to the professional soccer field with a new look. The Silverbacks are back with a roster of local and international talent, led by Head Coach José Manuel Abundis, a former Mexican national soccer star.

Atlanta has yet to register a point in three home matches thus far, but all three losses were by just one goal to Minnesota, FC Edmonton and Ft. Lauderdale.  Atlanta has had opportunities to earn points in all three, falling to Minnesota 2-1 on a goal by the Stars in stoppage time and losing 2-1 on an 87th minute penalty kick by the Strikers last Saturday night. Forward Matt Horth and defender Mario Perez have scored Atlanta's goals in 2011.

2011 Record:
0-0-3 (W-T-L) - 0 points

Players to Watch:
#12 - M Fernando Gonzalez - this Tampa native captained his teams at both HC United and Gaither High School, and also played from 2007-10 for the University of South Florida.
#14 - D Mario Perez - talented defender hails from Mexico.


Carolina RailHawks
Saturday, May 7 – 7:00 p.m.
Al Lang Stadium

The RailHawks, last year’s finalists who fell to Puerto Rico for the league title, are off to a strong start with two wins in their first three matches. After a season-opening 2-1 loss to the Islanders in a championship rematch, Carolina rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Montreal and a 2-0 blanking of FC Edmonton. Carolina has scored a league-best five goals, led by forward Etienne Barbara, who leads the NASL with three scores.

Carolina’s six points are tied for tops in the NASL, but the RailHawks will need to keep pace away from home with back-to-back road matches at Minnesota (April 30) and FC Tampa Bay (May 7), its first contests away from Cary so far.

2011 Record:
2-0-1 (W-T-L) - 6 points

Players to Watch:
#10 - F Etienne Barbara - off to a fast start with league-leading three goals.
#2 - D Brad Rusin - a native of Holmes Beach, Rusin serves as Carolina’s captain.
#8 - M Matt Watson - now in his fourth season with the RailHawks.


FC Edmonton
Wednesday, May 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Al Lang Stadium

Just like the Silverbacks, FC Edmonton is in its first year in the league and the club got off to a hot start with road victories at Ft. Lauderdale (2-1) and Atlanta (1-0). Carolina cooled off Edmonton with a 2-0 victory in Cary last Wednesday, but Edmonton still sits in a three-way tie atop the NASL standings with the RailHawks and Puerto Rico with six points.

Midfielder Shaun Saiko leads the NASL with two assists and goalkeeper Rein Baart ranks second in the league to FC Tampa Bay’s Daryl Sattler (17 saves) with 13 saves.

2011 Record:
2-0-1 (W-T-L) - 6 points

Players to Watch:
#22 - F Daniel Antoniuk - career has included stops in Portland, Montreal, Atlanta and Carolina.
#6 - M Shaun Saiko - spent the last two years in England with Middlesbrough.
#4 - D Alex Surprenant - played two seasons for the Montreal Impact.

Tickets are still available for all of these matches and the entire 2011 season.

To order your tickets, call (813) 287-1539 or click here.