The Basics
FC Miami City vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
Saturday, July 15, 5:00 p.m. ET.
Tropical Park Stadium, Miami, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesU23
Records
FC Miami City: 10-1-2 (W-L-T), 32 points, 2nd place
Rowdies U23: 3-7-2 (W-L-T), 11 points, 6th place
Live Stream
FC Miami City will be streaming tonight’s match on Youtube! Check into tonight’s stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EueaYbcsYy0!
Rowdies Notes
Following a home draw against the Lakeland Tropics, the Rowdies clearly will be looking to finish the PDL season on a strong, positive note.
The 2-2 tie against the I-4 rivals gives the U23’s momentum heading into the last two games of the season.
In their final home showing, the Rowdies played very strong possession-based soccer and continually commanded the pace of play against one of the division’s best squads.
Looking forward to Saturday’s match, head coach Keith Fulk intends to do much of the same.
“Our possession focus really worked in our favor [on Thursday],” Fulk stated. “If we can keep playing the way we did [against the Tropics] we can come out of Miami with points.”
Although the momentum has swung in the Rowdies favor, their numbers continue to dwindle.
Due to the fact that Tampa Bay relies almost exclusively on college players, there have been a number of departures as boys return to their respective programs to prepare for the upcoming college season.
Daniel Ribas was added to the list of departures for the Rowdies as he played his final game of the season Thursday. His strong performances all season long will certainly be missed in the final two games of the PDL season.
Look for updates on Saturday’s starting XI and substitutes at our official Twitter page.
Scouting Miami
For Miami, their season still has at least another chapter left after Saturday’s match.
The boys from Tropical Park Stadium will be moving onto the PDL playoffs after clinching a spot when the Lakeland Tropics lost to SIMA Aguilas earlier this week.
Although, somewhat, owing a postseason position to SIMA, Miami is still fighting the Aguilas for the division championship which gives this game, their last of the regular season, a sense of significance.
Currently, Miami is two points behind the Aguilas and thus will need not only a Saturday win, but also an Aguilas loss in The Villages to claim the Southeast Division title.
Since last facing off with the U23’s on June 27th, Miami has only picked up 5 of a possible 9 points as they tied against IMG and The Villages and nearly escaped tying South Florida Surf after a ferocious second half comeback by their opponents.
Saturday will be Miami’s first home game in nearly a month.
Coming Up Next
Your U23’s will close the PDL season traveling to IMG in a make-up match on Monday at 5:00 p.m. ET. Follow along for updates at twitter.com/rowdiesu23!
