Matchday 27 Info:
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Memphis 901 FC
Wednesday, September 6, 8 p.m. ET
AutoZone Park, Memphis, TN
Watch Party: Join the official Rowdies Watch Party at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill in Clearwater. Click here to learn more.
Follow Along: View the match on ESPN+ or tune in on SiriusXM FC Channel 157
The Tampa Bay Rowdies September slate of matches heats up this week with a pair of crucial matchups. It starts on Wednesday night with a trip to sixth place Memphis 901 FC followed by a clash with fourth place Louisville City FC back at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night.
While the Rowdies managed to secure their playoff spot with last weekend’s win over Hartford, there is still plenty for the Green and Gold to play. Sitting second in the Eastern Conference at the start of the week, the Rowdies have the inside track for the top spot with two games in hand on first place Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Tampa Bay also has two games in hand on the current Western Conference frontrunner, Sacramento Republic FC.
“It’s good to get a playoff spot,” said Rowdies midfielder Jordan Doherty. “That’s what a lot of club’s aim for at the start of the season. We’ve got that, which is good, but I think we’re just worried about the next game. At this stage of the season it’s important to not look far ahead. Just concentrate on the next game. I think that’s what we’re focused on at the minute.”
Hilton Returns
Apart from clinching a playoff spot for the fifth straight season, the highlight from last week’s match versus Hartford was the return of midfielder Lewis Hilton to the pitch. The Rowdies stalwart had been sidelined since April with an ankle injury but has worked his way back to full fitness and earned a starting nod against Hartford. Hilton’s comeback falls at a great time for the Rowdies, who have been dealing with depth issues through most of the season and will face games in quick succession the rest of the regular season.
“Anyone that knows me knows how much I love playing,” said Hilton. “It’s frustrating to have an injury like that, but it felt really good to be back out there helping the guys on the field. It’s definitely been challenging, but being in this locker room where everyone is so supportive has made it a lot easier that it might’ve been without them. I’m super grateful to all my teammates.”
Cal’s Scoring Streak
Rowdies forward Cal Jennings bagged his third goal in as many games this past Saturday against Saturday, bringing his season total to 11 goals, matching his total in each of the last two USL Championship seasons. With eight more matches left in Tampa Bay’s regular season, Jennings is on pace to set a new career best record.
Injury Report:
OUT: Leo Fernandes, Zach Herivaux, Sebastian Dalgaard, Jake Areman
