Matchday 14 Info:
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs New Mexico United
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets online or stop by the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday.
Pre-Game Fan Zone: From 5:30 to 7:30 outside of Gate 2 at every home match this year, fans are invited to the Rowdies Pre-game Fan Zone featuring a DJ, face painters for young fans, interactive soccer games for fans of all ages, shaved ice from the club’s new partner Kona Ice, and many more activities.
Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+.
The Rowdies close out a three-match home stand this Saturday with a matchup against New Mexico United. It will be the first time the Rowdies have ever squared off with New Mexico. Now unbeaten in six straight outings (including five wins), the Rowdies will look to keep maintain the momentum before heading out on the road for a month.
“For all the positives last weekend, we all feel a little unfulfilled,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “We wanted to win. So we want to put that right this weekend in a tough game.”
New Mexico will have a new leader from the touchline after the departure of Head Coach Zach Prince this week. Assistant Coach Masaki Hemmi has taken the reigns for the trip to the Sunshine State.
“We don’t necessarily expect wholesale changes but like anything when the head coach leaves, quite often it’s a real positive reaction in terms of them grouping together and wanting to show their a strong unit,” said Collins. “I don’t think it’s the ideal situation to be in as it poses more questions than answers but I think it’s a good opportunity to focus on ourselves and try continually improving what we’re doing.
Dalgaard’s 100th
The Rowdies will add another member to the 100 appearances club this Saturday when midfielder Sebastian Dalgaard takes the field. Dalgaard is the 11th player in the modern era of the Rowdies to reach 100 appearances.
“It’s gonna be the first club I play 100 games for and I’m just so proud of that achievement,” said Dalgaard. “To join players like Yann (Ekra) and Leo(Fernandes), when I came here those were the players that wanted to follow in the steps of. Good professionals and excellent players. I’m just so proud of that. It’s gonna be amazing. I’m just excited to play another game at home. 100 is special but I’m just focused on what I’ve got to do to win this game then we can celebrate after.”
Dalgaard recorded his second assist of the season last week versus Sacramento, perfectly controlling a long ball over the top from Connor Sparrow to push past a defender and slip a pass in for JJ Williams.
“Seb D is one of the most exciting players we’ve got,” said Collins. “When he’s on his game he can carve up defenders. On top of that he brings consistency to the other side of the game. That’s why he’s at 100 appearances so quickly. He’s been an integral member of our team over these past few years.”
Absences = Opportunity
The Rowdies will be without forward JJ Williams and defender Conner Antley for Saturday’s matchup after both were sent off with red cards against Sacramento. It’s not often the Rowdies pick up a red card in a match, let alone two. The club only saw one player be ejected by red card last year and you’d have to go back to May 8, 2019 for the last time multiple Rowdies were sent off during a match.
Combine the suspensions with injuries that have sidelined Lewis Hilton, Zach Herivaux, and Yann Ekra and the Rowdies will stretched a little thinner than usual this weekend.
“It wasn’t ideal to lose two guys to red cards and on top of some of the injuries that we’ve got, it gives us a challenge but as we always say it also gives us an opportunity. We’ve seen guys take that opportunity. It’s exciting to see those guys that have been training really hard get their chances. We need the squad. It’s going to be tested to the full.”
LaCava Returns
On the heels of Laurence Wyke’s return on loan last week, the Rowdies have secured another key contributor from the 2022 season back into the fold with the return of forward Jake LaCava. The 22-year-old attacker was named a finalist for last year’s USL Championship Young Player of the Year award after nabbing 12 goals and five assists for Tampa Bay’s league-leading attack.
“I’m really happy with a lot of aspects of where we are at but our job is to always think ahead,” said Collins. “Jake was someone that had a big impact last year with goals and with his attitude. Huge thanks to Inter Miami for allowing him to come to us. It’s a testament to Jake that he wants to play and be on the field to contribute, but equally that he wants to do it here. He was highly sought after around the league, understandably, but we think we can give him the best environment. I’ve got to keep making this team better. I think he does make us better and gives us competition. I’m excited to add him to what we’ve already got up at the top of the field. He’s going to be a huge asset.”
Availability Report
OUT: Leo Fernandes, Lewis Hilton, Zach Herivaux
QUESTIONABLE: Dayonn Harris, Yann Ekra
SUSPENDED: JJ Williams, Conner Antley
