Match Preview: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. FC Edmonton

Webcast: NASLLive.com

TV: TBR-WTTA Great 38

The Tampa Bay Rowdies look to end their three-game winless streak when they host FC Edmonton at Al Lang Stadium.  Edmonton, who’s five points from the final qualifying spot into The Championship, is coming off a 1-1 draw against the visiting New York Cosmos last Sunday.  Tampa Bay, whose home game against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last Saturday was rescheduled due to the weather, are one point behind Edmonton in the Combined Standings.  The Rowdies have not lost to the Eddies at home, however the Canadian club is unbeaten against the Florida side in their last six encounters.  The previous meeting took place two weeks ago at Clarke Stadium when a goal from midfielder Lance Laing gave the host Eddies a 1-0 victory over the Rowdies.

Last Five Games:  TBR – L W T L L     FCE – W L T W T                      

Recognition:

TBR-N/A

FCE-Tomi Ameobi, Albert Watson (Team of the Week-12)

Stats leaders:

TBR-Goals – Georgi Hristov (6); Assists – Shane Hill, Georgi Hristov (3)

FCE-Goals – Daryl Fordyce, Lance Laing (6); Assists – Lance Laing (5)

Series:

NASL Head-to-Head: (14 meetings):  Rowdies 6 wins, 5 ties, 3 losses—16 GF/14 GA (+2 GD)

At Rowdies: (7 meetings): Rowdies 3 wins, 4 ties, 0 losses— 9 GF/5 GA (+4 GD)

This Year: (2 meetings): Eddies 1 win, 1 tie, 0 losses – 2 GF/1 GA (+1 GD)

Last Meeting: September 21, 2014 at Clarke Stadium — Eddies 1-0 Rowdies

Coaches quotes:

“FC Edmonton is definitely one of our closest rivals for the final berth in the postseason. We played them here earlier and they got a point from us in the first game of the season. Now, we have a chance to get all three. It's important that we get that winning feeling back. We want our home field to be an advantage for us from now until the end of the year." – Rowdies coach Ricky Hill

“It is a very important fixture for us against Tampa. We played them not too long ago, so there won’t be any big surprises. The team knows what’s a stake and the lads should have a bit of confidence playing well in the second half on Sunday against the Cosmos. Everyone knows what has to be done on Saturday, so we are all looking forward to a good match.” – FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller

Referee: Ted Unkel

Asst 1: Nicholas Dudley

Asst 2: Charles Hufham

4th: Edinson Aragon