ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 30, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies will host either the Lakeland Tropics or The Villages SC at Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday, May 14 in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with admission free to all, the club announced Tuesday.
Fans can enter the stadium beginning at 6 p.m. via the midfield gate on 1st St. SE. All other gates will be closed. Only the midfield seating sections will be open for match, plus select lower goal reserved seating in the main stadium bowl for Ralph’s Mob and supporters. Seating will be first-come, first-served general admission, but those with season tickets in Midfield Club or Midfield Reserve who wish to sit in their regular seats can contact their account executive to reserve their usual seat.
Those planning to attend do not need to reserve tickets as this is a non-ticketed event. They need only to enter the stadium via the midfield gate. Lot A will open at 5 p.m. with paid parking available.
Tampa Bay’s opponent will be determined May 7 when the Lakeland Tropics host The Villages SC in a First Round match at the Lake Myrtle Complex in Auburndale. Both clubs play in USL League Two, two divisions below the Rowdies.
The Second Round match will come after an off weekend for the Rowdies and before a Saturday night match against New York Red Bulls II on May 18. The winner will play a Third Round match on May 29. Those pairings and match locations have not yet been determined. Major League Soccer clubs enter the tournament in the Fourth Round.
This year’s U.S. Open Cup is the 106th edition of the tournament, which has crowned a champion annually since 1914. All matches will be streamed via ESPN+, the same streaming provider that broadcasts Rowdies matches during the USL Championship season.
