The Basics
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (Third Round)
Miami FC (NASL) vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesGameday
How to Watch
The United States Soccer Federation will provide a stream for Wednesday night’s match, as will Miami FC via ESPN3. Look for links prior to kickoff.
About the Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has been played since 1914 and is the longest continuously-running soccer competition in the United States. It is a single-elimination tournament open to professional teams and qualifying amateur teams based in the United States. Major League Soccer teams enter the competition in the Fourth Round. Tampa Bay reached this match with a 3-0 win over Jacksonville Armada FC U23, while Miami defeated the South Florida Surf (PDL) 3-2.
The winner of this match advances to a Fourth Round match against Orlando City SC (MLS) on Tuesday, June 13. Wednesday’s match must produce a winner, so if the score is tied after regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety. If the score remains tied, a penalty kick shootout will decide the winner.
Records
Miami FC: 5-3-1 (W-T-L), 18 points, 1st place NASL Spring Season
Tampa Bay: 6-3-3 (W-T-L), 21 points, 2nd place USL Eastern Conference
Rowdies Notes
The Rowdies advanced to tonight’s match against Miami with a dominant 3-0 win over Jacksonville Armada FC U23 (NPSL) in the Second Round on May 16. Kyle Porter opened the scoring in the third minute, Alex Morrell doubled the Rowdies’ lead in the 43rd minute and Martin Paterson completed the scoreline in the 68th minute. Those three players have combined for just four USL starts this season.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies head into this Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round match in Miami coming off a 1-1 draw at home against Saint Louis FC on Saturday night. Tampa Bay trailed for most of the second half before an 87th minute goal scored by Neill Collins rescued a point for the Rowdies.
The Rowdies are 6-6 all-time in Open Cup play. Tampa Bay’s best run came in 2013, when it defeated VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL) and the Seattle Sounders (MLS) to reach the Round of 16 before losing to the Portland Timbers.
This match comes in a congested portion of the Rowdies’ schedule. It is Tampa Bay’s sixth game in 19 days. Tampa Bay is on the road for two matches this week, visiting Miami FC midweek and then the Charlotte Independence on Sunday.
