The Basics
The Villages SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
Wednesday, June 7, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Waters Avenue Complex, Tampa, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesU23
Records
The Villages SC: 1-3-0 (W-L-T), 3 points, T-5th place
Rowdies U23: 1-2-0 (W-L-T), 3 points, T-5th place
Rowdies Notes
The season opening win over Weston FC has begun to feel like it was a long time ago for the Rowdies U23 squad.
After starting the year with such a strong promising result, Tampa Bay has now dropped two consecutive matches in brutal fashion to local teams IMG Bradenton and the Lakeland Tropics. As a result, Wednesday’s game against The Villages SC will prove to be a critical turning point on the season for Tampa Bay in order to score points early while having played so few games.
Beyond being an important match, it is clear that there will be a fundamental change in tactics for the Rowdies in this upcoming home match. For the first time this season, coach Keith Fulk has decided to change the formation of the team and will be going with a 4-3-3 configuration rather than a 4-1-4-1 look.
With regards to the team’s formation, Fulk explained “we feel like we have very good attackers in [forwards] Ricky [Lopez] and Arion [Sobers-Assue] while we can also put out dynamic wingers like Tosan [Popo] and Kendan [Anderson].”
In complimenting this focus on greater attack, Forward Morgan Shepard will be included as a substitute for Wednesday’s game and will likely mark his Rowdies debut according to Fulk.
Look for updates on the rest of Wednesday’s starting XI and substitutes at our official Twitter page.
Scouting The Villages
Through the first four games of the season, it has been difficult for The Villages to truly find their footing.
As if it were ever easy to begin a season with five consecutive road contests, The Villages dropped each of those first three games. The first two matches, against SIMA Aguilas and the Lakeland Tropics, were both narrow one goal losses which only makes the rough start feel even more heartbreaking for The Villages.
With that being said, The Villages turned their fortunes around completely last Saturday with a total dismantling of Weston FC to the tune of a 6-0 victory. While the gaudy scoreline certainly gives this team a lot more momentum heading into Wednesday’s match its three points keeps them only tied for fifth place with Tampa Bay.
Wednesday’s game against the Rowdies U23’s marks the end of this five game road trip for The Villages before they head back home to play a rematch against IMG Bradenton who defeated them 3-1 on May 25th.
Coach Fulk explained that his change of formation for this weekend has a lot to do with the expectation of the “older, experienced group of players” that The Villages has to play with.
Notable Villages SC players to watch for include leading goal scorer Carlos Araujo, minutes leader Danilo Dias of University of Charleston, and keeper Igor Luczensky from Union University.
Coming Up Next
Your U23’s will take on South Florida Surf at the Waters Avenue complex in Tampa on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET. Come support your Rowdies at the field or online by following along with match commentary at twitter.com/rowdiesu23!