The Basics
FC Cincinnati vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, July 14, 7:30 p.m. ET
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Follow us for live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesGameday
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast locally on thisTV Tampa Bay and online on ESPN+ (subscription required), the official streaming partner of the USL, here. International viewers in regions where ESPN+ is not offered can watch the match here.
Records
FC Cincinnati: 10-3-5; 4-2-2 at home; 1st place
Tampa Bay: 6-7-4; 2-5-1 on road; 11th place
From the Head Coach
Neill Collins on Saturday’s match:
“As a professional player, these are the environments you want to play in and it generally brings the best out of you. You’re going up against a good side, they’re top of the table. It’ll be a great, great test in the environment and we’ve obviously got players that have played in that environment before and I expect us to rise to the occasion.”
Rowdies Notes
The Rowdies are coming off a 2-1 loss at home to Louisville City FC last weekend, their second home loss in three matches. Kyle Smith opened the scoring midway through the first half and Junior Flemmings pulled the Rowdies level in the 71st minute. Louisville’s Cameron Lancaster scored the winner on a perfect free kick just five minutes later to win 2-1.
A few new faces could appear for the Rowdies this weekend in midfielder Kwadwo Poku and defender Kyle Porter. Poku signed with Tampa Bay on June 26 from FC Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Premier League, but was not eligible to play until the transfer window opened on July 10. Poku previously played for Miami FC, New York City FC and the Atlanta Silverbacks. Porter signed with the Rowdies this week after being released from Ottawa Fury FC. Porter made 12 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2017.
Tampa Bay is 2-5-1 on the road this season, but has been trending up in recent road trips, with four points from their last two away games. The Rowdies beat Toronto 4-2 on May 26 at BMO Field and earned a late 2-2 draw in Charlotte on June 27. Those two results followed five consecutive losses away from home.
This match marks the first time the Rowdies will play on a full field of artificial turf in 2018. Tampa Bay has played every match on natural grass this season, apart from the quarter of a field of artificial turf in Louisville. Tampa Bay went 1-4-2 (W-L-T) on artificial turf in 2017.
- Suspended: None
- Injury Report: OUT: D David Najem (torn ACL, April 14)
D Kyle Curinga (sprained ankle, May 12)
D Zac Portillos (left knee sprain, May 26)
M Lance Rozeboom (right knee sprain, June 2)
