Gameday Essentials

Tampa Bay Rowdies host Ottawa Fury FC

Al Lang Stadium Saturday, October 10, 7:30 p.m. ET

Grab tickets here or by calling 727-222-2200

Watch locally on Great 38 TV or online through ESPN3

Starting at Saturday’s tailgate in the stadium parking lot, Ralph’s Mob will begin raising funds for the Movemember Foundation.

Scouting the Fury

The solid home record that the Rowdies have under Stuart Campbell (2W-1D-L) will be put to the test against the team that has run rampant over competition throughout the Fall Season. Ottawa has won their last four matches and are unbeaten in their last eight.

The club’s form has been incredibly well balanced during this latest unbeaten streak, scoring 14 goals while conceding only four. Tom Heinemann, Paulo Junior and Siniša Ubiparipović have all been electric for the suddenly potent Fury attack.

Ottawa has been dominant on both sides of the ball and now lead both sets of league standings without the presence of their most high profile offseason signing, Julian De Guzman. The Canadian national team captain has only played 150 minutes in four appearances for Ottawa in the Fall. Ritchie Ryan has been as steady as they come in central midfield for the Fury, controlling the tempo and suppressing opposing attacks.

Romuald Peiser has justifiably grabbed most of the headlines with his record 13 shutouts this year, but center backs Rafael Alves and Colin Falvey deserve a heap of credit for the Fury conceding a league-low 20 goals in 26 matches. Peiser usually seems to make the saves when called upon in crucial moments, but there have been a few matches when he has only been asked to make two or three simple saves.

The Rowdies do have one feather in their cap heading into Sunday’s match. They are the only team in the league that has not been on the losing end of a match against Ottawa. So far the Rowdies have managed to earn a scoreless draw in the Spring Season and the comeback 2-2 draw in August. In fact, that August draw is the last time that any team has scored more than one goal on the Fury.

What to Watch For

Tampa Bay will be without regular left back Ben Sweat for the second time in three matches due to his red card suspension. Justin Chavez was dependable in the role during the second half of the Minnesota match, but the club made a move to bring in defensive cover this week with addition of Willie Hunt . Fans probably remember Hunt from his time with the Rowdies last year. The versatile defender just finished his season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, where he started 24 games during the 28-game season. Hunt can slot in at a number of positions on the back line and allows Campbell to keep Darnell Kin g on the wing if he wants.

for the second time in three matches due to his red card suspension. Justin Chavez was dependable in the role during the second half of the Minnesota match, but the club made a move to bring in defensive cover this week with addition of . Fans probably remember Hunt from his time with the Rowdies last year. The versatile defender just finished his season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, where he started 24 games during the 28-game season. Hunt can slot in at a number of positions on the back line and allows Campbell to keep g on the wing if he wants. Don’t expect to see the Rowdies line up with a five-man midfield like they did against Minnesota. Ottawa’s attack should be taken seriously, but not to the point that the Rowdies should sacrifice an attacking player at home to plug the midfield. Richard Menjivar is away with El Salvador, so expect Juan Guerra and Marcelo Saragosa as the central midfield pairing again. Chavez has an outside shot as well after impressing early on against Minnesota.

is away with El Salvador, so expect and as the central midfield pairing again. Chavez has an outside shot as well after impressing early on against Minnesota. Darwin Espinal is still away with the Hondudran Olympic swuad, so the Rowdies can’t look to him to save their bacon like he did against Ottawa in August. Espinal won’t be there, but the strategy of stretching out the Fury back line through wing play is still the best bet for success. The wing players will need to play a big role on Saturday in order for the Rowdies to grab a result.

is still away with the Hondudran Olympic swuad, so the Rowdies can’t look to him to save their bacon like he did against Ottawa in August. Espinal won’t be there, but the strategy of stretching out the Fury back line through wing play is still the best bet for success. The wing players will need to play a big role on Saturday in order for the Rowdies to grab a result. The Rowdies cannot hesitate to take chances as they come. Ottawa’s resolute back line will likely limit them to only a few openings and Peiser will undoubtedly make a few good saves. Aggressively taking shots as soon as they present themselves and putting as many on frame as possible could make all the difference.

IMAGE, PATRICK PATTERSON