
The Basics
Lakeland Tropics vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
Saturday, June 3, 7:35 p.m. ET.
Bryant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesU23
Records
Lakeland Tropics: 3-1-0 (W-L-T), 9 points, T-2nd place
Rowdies U23: 1-1-0 (W-L-T), 3 points, 5th place
Rowdies Notes
This Saturday’s game in Lakeland will be the first PDL game of the season between these two local squads.
After a strong 2-1 win in their season opener against Weston FC, the Rowdies were put away in heartbreaking fashion at home by IMG on Wednesday. After looking primed to at least come away with a point against the Bradenton foes, a score in stoppage time handed the U23’s their first loss of the season.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s match against Lakeland, there is a lot of hype and anticipation on both sides. Considering the proximity between the teams, there is quite a bit of overlap in terms of players. On both sides there are a lot of local schools represented such as University of Tampa, Southeastern University, and Eckerd College.
U23’s Head Coach Keith Fulk emphasized that the Tampa Bay must “play with a more aggressive mentality if [the Rowdies] expect to win Saturday.”
In practice Thursday and Friday it was clear that the Rowdies intended to correct the mistakes that cost them a point against IMG. Much of the drills were focused around finishing chances around the net which was certainly a challenge last game.
Stick around for updates on Saturday’s starting XI at our official Twitter page.
Scouting Lakeland
Through the beginning of the PDL season, the Lakeland Tropics have been a force to be reckoned with. Sporting a 3-1-0 record, Lakeland currently sits in a tie for second place in the Southeast Division only behind the undefeated SIMA Aguilas squad.
Lakeland began their season in rough shape after losing a brutal 4-0 game on the road against FC Miami City, but since then have bounced back remarkably. Having won their last three games now against The Villages SC, Weston FC. and Palm Beach Suns FC, the Tropics have caught up with the team they lost to in the season opener.
This Saturday’s match comes in the middle of a three game home stand for the Tropics before they head on the road for another three games. It will not be long before these two teams face each other again as the the reverse match in Tampa is just a week and a half away on June 14th.
Notable Tropics players to watch for Saturday include leading goal scorer Ricardo Diegues from UT-Brownsville, Ramzi Toure from University of Tampa, and keeper Jonathan Valerio formerly of Rowdies 2.
Coming Up Next
Rowdies U23 will take on The Villages SC at the Waters Avenue complex in Tampa on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Come support your Rowdies at the field or online by following along with match commentary at twitter.com/rowdiesu23!