FC TAMPA BAY ROWDIES face must win vs MIAMI FC

Fishhead · 07-24-10, 09:42 PM

Miama +327
Tampa -134
Draw +344

5DIMES odds

Fishhead · 07-24-10, 09:54 PM

The intense rivalry between Miami FC and the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies continues as the two teams are set to clash for the third time this season in a mid-summer matchup at George Steinbrenner Field on Sunday, July 25. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
The match will be the first for the Blues under new head coach Daryl Shore, who took over the managerial duties of the club earlier this week.
In both games earlier this season, the Blues and Rowdies fought to 1-1 draws, once in South Florida and the other in Tampa. In the U.S. Open Cup, Miami FC defeated Tampa Bay in the second round by a score of 2-1 in extra time at Lockhart Stadium.
"We have had a good week of training and I think the guys are excited for the game in Tampa. Everyone has been working hard and we are going in there with the mindset of getting a positive result," said Head Coach Daryl Shore.

Both teams will meet again on August 14 in what will be the final match between the two clubs this season.

SCOUTING TAMPA BAY

The Rowdies enter this weekend’s match after suffering a 1-0 lost to the Rochester Rhinos at home on July 22.
After a scoreless first half, the Rhinos came out on the attack looking to take the lead but the Rowdies were able to hold off and it appeared as if both teams were headed for a scoreless draw.

But in extra time, Rochester took advantage of a Tampa giveaway deep in Rowdies territory as Andrew Hoxie ended up with the ball. Isaac Kissi made a run to his left and Hoxie delivered a soft pass to him, leading to an easy goal for Kissi as he gave Rochester the game-winning goal in the final minutes of the match.

Tampa Bay has struggled heavily, failing to pick up a victory in its last eight games and losing six of those games.
Aaron Wheeler leads the Rowdies in goals with four on the season, tied for ninth in the league. The Tampa forward also has one assist to go along with his team-high goal total.

The Rowdies are tied for fourth in the league in goals scored with 19, but they have struggled to manufacture goals during their winless streak. In their past eight games, they only scored two goals and have been shut out six times by opponents.

On the flip side, the Rowdies have allowed 18 goals this season and have allowed more than one goal in a game just three times this season.

LAST TIME OUT

The Blues are coming into this match on eight days rest after earning a 1-1 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders at home on July 17.

The Islanders struck first in the 33rd minute when Nicholas Addlery fired a shot from the right side that went top shelf past Miami FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

After going into the second half trailing by a goal, the Blues made a strong effort to find the equalizer but were unable to capitalize for the better part of the second half.

Just when it seemed the Blues were heading for a stinging defeat, the squad delivered in stoppage time when Briver Shriver took a hard shot on goal towards a diving Laurendi. The Islanders goalkeeper made the stop but the ball bounced away from him and skidded into open space where Paulo Jr. was there to knock in the tying goal and bring the crowd to its feet in the final minutes of the match.

A hard-earned point kept the Blues in the thick of the playoff race and now the club looks to earn an important three points on the road against a struggling Rowdies team.

HUNTING FOR ROWDIES

Midfielder Christian Gomez and forward Paulo Jr. are looking cause some damage on offense, along with Brian Shriver who has emerged as a playmaker for the Blues on the road this season.

Paulo Jr. has continued to climb the league leader boards with a team-high seven goals on the season and is third in the league in that category while Gomez has four goals and is tied for eighth as they continue to prove that they are one of the top dual-threats in the league.

Gomez is tied for fifth in the league in points with 11 while placing third in assists with three.

Paulo Jr. has 16 points and is in sole possession of third place in that category among the league leaders.

Shriver, meanwhile, is right behind the duo with three goals on the season. Two of those goals have been on the road and his shot in the final minutes of the game against Puerto Rico set up Paulo Jr. for the equalizer.

Fishhead · 07-24-10, 10:20 PM

DO OR DIE: Dalglish doesn’t like the phrase ‘must-win game’, but with the nature of the loss to Rochester, Sunday’s game against Miami has all the hallmarks of a game the team has to win in order to make the playoffs.
With Puerto Rico and Baltimore, the ninth- and 10th-placed teams in the league, both at home on Saturday the Rowdies could be on the outside looking in on the playoffs when they kick off against the Blues.
It really doesn’t matter how it happens. For all they care, I’m sure the Rowdies would take a 1-0 win on an own goal at this point, though they’d probably much prefer something that allows them to take confidence from their performance and send a message to the rest of the league.
Before this homestand began, I tweeted that the side probably needed to take eight or nine points from this to get back on track and re-establish their playoff credentials. Now a maximum of seven is available, with a strong Portland team coming in after Miami.
There are still 13 games to play in the season, eight of which are at home, but it’s becoming do-or-die time a lot sooner than the team would have hoped for.

KingKolzig · 07-25-10, 12:59 AM

fishhead are u going to the game? i got a $10 ticket from a scalper outside the stadium. the one vvs rochester, took the over 2.5 for +131 and lost (betphoenix)

Fishhead · 07-25-10, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by KingKolzig

fishhead are u going to the game? i got a $10 ticket from a scalper outside the stadium. the one vvs rochester, took the over 2.5 for +131 and lost (betphoenix)

How was the atmosphere?

Also, how was the view of the game in a baseball stadium?

Lastly, I heard they served $1 beer, this can't be true is it?

jagaf22 · 07-25-10, 06:48 AM

Dollar beer on select Thursday night games. The special doesn't run the entire game usually from 6:00-7:30 which is from the time the gates open until about 20 minutes into the first half.

I've been to a few games not bad for 10 dollars. The game is played mostly on the outfield with a small part of dirt between first and second base being in play. The field is much shorter and narrower than a standard futbol field which I think makes for more exciting end to end action. Atmosphere is OK you have a group of local supporters called Ralphs Mob who are pretty supportive/loyal.

Lastly, FHW needs to gives us a line tonight on the game tonight between the Miami Islanders and Tampa Bay Rowdies!

KingKolzig · 07-25-10, 12:56 PM

jaga pretty much covered it. except that its a bit of a drag how the field angles away from the stands. so there is no close seats near midfield. the only close seats are behind one net, in front of the mob, thats where i will sit if i ever go back. i sat at midfield and couldnt make out the players faces

Fishhead · 07-25-10, 01:15 PM

Taking a shot with the DRAW in this one..............

jagaf22 · 07-25-10, 02:19 PM

Come on FHW we want a line!