Photo by Tampa Bay Rowdies
By RYAN TOLMICH
Fresh off a major offseason face-lift, it was nearly impossible to expect the Tampa Bay Rowdies to gel in time for an opening week match with the reigning champions.
But that was exactly what they did, as the Rowdies went to Toyota Park and dominated the San Antonio Scorpions 3-1 to earn SBI NASL Team of the Week.
Among the most transformed teams in the league, the changes that defined the Rowdies offseason paid immediate dividends, as Thomas Rongen’s side swarmed the defending champions from the opening whistle. Led by goals from SBI Player of the Week Stefan Antonijevic, Darwin Espinal and Corey Hertzog, the Rowdies left the Scorpions no room to breathe, save for a last minute consolation goal long after the game had been decided.
The Rowdies’ impressive opening-week performance was enough to earn recognition as SBI NASL Team of the Week, beating out the Jacksonville Armada and Carolina RailHawks for the honor.
—
What did you think of the Rowdies’ performance in NASL Week 1? Which team stood out most to you?
Share your thoughts below.
First home game for the Rowdies this Saturday v. Minnesota United this Saturday…let’s see if the “new and improved” Rowdies are for real this year!!
COYR!!!
Hoping the boys perform better at home than they did last year. Then again, that’s not a tough hurdle to leap.
Very intrigued by that match. On paper, MNUFC should be improved as well, plus it’s the opener for the newly renovated Al Lang Stadium. Any locals been over there to see how it looks yet?
What the Rowdies did on Saturday night vs. San Antonio was a testament to all the hard work & conditioning that was done during the preseason. San Antonio have a good team, but the Rowdies are a much better side this year. The NASL is on notice! COYR!
SA never was really in the game. They were too busy looking at their championship rings that were awarded before the start of the game.
BTW, SA in their home-openers since inception are 0-4 being outscored 15-1 in those matches. However, they have made the playoffs the last two years and won the bowl last year.