The Cosmos enter the match with an unbeaten record (3-0-1) at James H. Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., while the Rowdies (3-0-5) have put together a 10-game unbeaten streak across the spring and fall seasons.

“This club gives extra motivation for other teams because of the history,” Savarese said. “I think Tampa’s coach, in quotes this week anticipating the game, mentioned exactly what it feels like to play against the Cosmos — the name. It’s always exciting for teams to be able to revive an old rivalry and to beat the Cosmos is extra motivation.”

He added: “But a comparison to the past is difficult. Still, to wear the same shirt is important.”

Tampa Bay, which is 1-0-3 on the road, leads the league with 18 goals scored, sparked by the play of the 29-year-old Bulgarian striker Georgi Hristov. Hristov was signed in March and has 11 goals (one off the league lead) and 7 assists.

“The Cosmos have shown that they are a tough team to beat,” Tampa Bay midfielder Stuart Campbell said. “They are very strong at home, but then again we are the best team on the road and it’s up to us to take over the top of the table. It’s such an honor to play for a club that has such a rich history and tradition, and playing against the Cosmos is special for every member on this team.”

The Cosmos are led by the Spanish midfielder Marcos Senna, 37, who has two goals and an assist but whose leadership on and off the field Savarese said has been invaluable.

“First, off the field, he is extraordinary,” Savarese said. “He is very humble, very calm, prepared for any inconvenience to make it positive. He has been tremendous to younger players. Somebody who is always ready to work. On the field we know the professional we got, a player who has a lot of quality, somebody who technical-wise is great. He is able to do things that come very easy to him, he makes the difficult look simple. He makes the team better around him and also looks like a young boy in the way he is running. He has been everything we thought and more.”

To bolster the Cosmos’ attack, Savarese reached back to his native Venezuela and signed striker Diomar Diaz, 23. In two games, Diaz has scored three goals, including both in last week’s victory at Fort Lauderdale.

“He is technical and talented,” Savarese said. “We are lucky to have such a young player with his quality.”