Matchday 7 Info:
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs New Mexico United
Saturday April 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
2024 Records:
Rowdies: 2W-0L-4D, 10 pts, 4th East (1-0-1 at home)
New Mexico: 4W-1L-1D, 13 pts, 3rd West (2-1-1 on the road)
Fireworks: Saturday is the first Fireworks Night of the season at Al Lang. Following the match, fans are invited to view a postmatch fireworks show from the field.
Tickets: Fans can purchase tickets here or at the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday
Tune in: Saturday’s match will be broadcast exclusively on CBS Sports Network
The Rowdies home again for a matchup with Western Conference side New Mexico United under the lights of Al Lang Stadium. Despite a performance Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson and his staff were proud of last week, the squad could only come away with a point against El Paso Locomotive FC.
“For me, it’s about taking the positives away from the El Paso match,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “I think we had some great opportunities. We couldn’t quite get that final moment.”
Saturday’s match is set to air nationally on CBS Sports Network as part of the USL Championship’s new broadcast partnership with CBS. It’s an exciting opportunity for the Rowdies to showcase what they can do on the pitch and the atmosphere at Al Lang Stadium.
“It’s brilliant that Saturday is a national TV game,” said Neilson. “Plus we have a fireworks show, so hopefully it’ll be a full house on Saturday night. There’s a few tickets left but not many. It’s going to be great exposure for the club and the fanbase as well. I’m looking forward to a really good night.”
Scouting New Mexico
New Mexico comes to Al Lang full steam ahead after notching three straight wins in league play, including two three-goal performances in their last two outings.
“New Mexico is definitely a team that is unpredictable,” said Rowdies midfielder Joshua Perez, who leads the Rowdies with three assist. “They have some individually talented players. We’ve just got to be ready for that and come up with a 90-minute plus performance to match their intensity. Being able to play another home game in front of our fans is definitely a plus for us.”
Unbeaten in Six
The Rowdies are one of just four unbeaten teams left in the league heading into Week 8 of the regular season. Unbeaten through their first six, the Rowdies sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The longest the Rowdies have ever gone unbeaten to start the season is 13 matches, which they accomplished in 2019.
Chances on the Rise
The Rowdies attack has been hitting its stride over the last two weeks in terms of chances created. In their last two outings, the Rowdies have outshot their opponents 45 to 15. Heading into Saturday, the team ranks third in the league in goals scored with 13 goals so far. Forwards Cal Jennings and Manuel Arteaga lead the way with four tallies each through the first six matches.
Team of the Week Standouts
Both defender Forrest Lasso and midfielder Danny Crisostomo earned spots on the USL Championship Team of the Week for their performances in Tampa Bay’s draw with El Paso in Week 7. Lasso won 4 of 4 tackles, 7 of 7 aerial duels, and 6 of 7 ground duels while also recording two chances created and one shot on target in the match. Meanwhile, Crisostomo notched his first assist of the year while also completing 54 of 58 passes.
Western Conference Foes
New Mexico this weekend. El Paso last weekend. Memphis next Saturday. The Rowdies are in the midst of a long stretch of matches against competition out of the Western Conference. In fact, outside of Birmingham on May 11, the Rowdies won’t face another Eastern Conference team in league play until Louisville City on June 15.
Availability Report
OUT DUE TO INJURY: Zane Bubb, Leo Fernandes, Zachary Herivaux
QUESTIONABLE DUE TO INJURY: Nick Moon
