The Basics
Weston FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. ET.
Broward College South Campus, Weston, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesU23
Records
Weston FC: 0-2-1 (W-T-L), 1 point, T-4th place
Rowdies U23: 0-0-0 (W-T-L), 0 points, T-6th place
Rowdies Notes
This Saturday’s game will be the first PDL game of the season for the Rowdies U23 squad, making the team the last in the Southeast Division to start its PDL season.
The U23s are coming off a pair of friendly losses (2-1 and 4-2) last weekend against the U.S. U17 national team at IMG Academy.
Although the squad has yet to play a single PDL game, the Rowdies U23 team was ranked 5th (out of a total of 15 teams) in the official power rankings heading into week 4.
When talking about this week’s focus, Rowdies U23 Head Coach Keith Fulk said tha,t “the key in practice was working on possession and ball movement.”
In addition, Fulk has high hopes heading into this week’s game as he looks to “get the summer started on a high note.”
U23 players to watch for in the season opener include forward Arion Sobers-Assue, midfielder Noah Franke, and center back Gustavo Fernandes.
Scouting Weston
Its been a tough season thus far for Weston FC. Weston is winless through three matches and has notched just one point. The sole point of the young season came in a 1-1 draw on the road against IMG.
Weston began the season with a 5-1 loss at home to the co-division leader FC Miami City and lost a game earlier this week 2-1 while hosting the second place Lakeland Tropics.
Weston will look to play a strong game this weekend at home before playing six of their next seven matches on the road including a Monday, June 19 match in Tampa against the Rowdies U23.
In speaking about this week’s preparation Fulk emphasized that the U23s were ready for Weston’s “tiki taka” style of play. Additionally, he noted this should be “a great learning experience” for the team as it is the first time the two sides have met as a part of the PDL.
Notable Weston players to watch for Saturday include David Longo from Florida International University, Jonathan Bolanos of High Point University, and Max Stiegwardt from University of Louisville.
Coming Up Next
Rowdies U23 will take on IMG Academy at at Al Lang Stadium on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. ET. The game will be open to the public and free of charge. The Midfielder’s Gate on 1st St. SE opens at 9:30 a.m.
