Away to San Diego Preview
Date: Sunday April 23, 2023
Kickoff Time: 6:00 pm EST at Torero Stadium in San Diego, CA
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (5pt 1W-2D-3L); San Diego (11pts 3W-2D-1L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 7th in the East and San Diego Loyal are 3rd in the West
Preview Podcast: RBLR Sports On YouTube
One step forward and two steps back. After what was the first positive week of 2023 for the Rowdies, a second half stoppage time goal sent fans right back down the rabbit hole of doom and gloom. There were sure signs of progress; but, the result was entirely thrown away. Now the team must try to rally for a very busy week with multiple important games, the first of which is in southern California.
What can the Rowdies do to turn this around?
Charleston appear to be a force in the East this year. It’s either that or, down in Tampa Bay, most of that force is gone. Looking on the bright side, there was a lot to be positive about for Rowdies fans. The first thing: the margin of defeat between the two games vs. the Battery has narrowed. In taking notes for this match, I noted when the ten minute mark had passed, as it meant we hadn’t gone down 2-0 like the month before.
To be a little more serious, the Rowdies passed the “eye test,” as the old adage in soccer goes. Against the Battery, it seemed to have been determined that the potential costs of pressing outweighed the potential benefits. That left it to the team to build out of the back if they wanted to get an attack started, and that actually went well – in the first half.
Focusing much more on the right side than the left, the Rowdies did successfully build with smooth passing and side-to-side switches from the metronome that is Lewis Hilton. Ariel Martinez dropped in deep to allow another outlet for Jordan Doherty and Hilton, who would often look up for Conner Antley on the touchline. Martinez has started to offer some hold up play in this specific area near the center circle, while USL iron man Yann Ekra continues to show his intelligence in picking his moments to beat a man and gain some space.
Defensively, the extra numbers from our non-press meant that the backline could usually handle the tricky dribblers that have allowed the Battery to jump to first in the Eastern Conference. Aaron Guillen, on his hundredth league appearance for the Rowdies, looked as comfortable as ever with Tristan Trager, Nick Markanich, and Fidel Barajas all sufficiently marked over the first 45 minutes. However, all this good play left something to be desired.
Stats show the Rowdies completed 1 cross all game, a rate of accuracy good for 17%. With the six crosses math tells us the Rowdies attempted, we can see part of the team’s problem. For starters, the rate at which we get on the end of a cross is simply not good enough. Are they being put into the wrong area? Are there not enough runners crashing into the box? Are the wingbacks simply not putting themselves in good positions to whip the ball in? This is all stuff the Rowdies staff will be discussing in training.
Another topic for debate, though, is the overall number of crosses. As noted, the Rowdies didn’t try a ton of pressing against Charleston. If that avenue for chance creation is minimized, then the other most common one needs to be maximized. Yet, the whole game only yielded the aforementioned six crosses. Tampa Bay hardly gave themselves a chance to succeed. The lack of good chance creation led to one “Big Chance,” as defined by FotMob, which was missed anyway. The goal “scored” could hardly be described that way – and was duly marked an own goal in the stats sheet.
In the second half, Tampa Bay seemed to run out of the steam needed to carry on in this fashion after missing probably their best opportunity, created from an Antley cross, in the 48th minute. Following that, the Battery regained possession and went down to our end, turning their own good passing into a through ball for Augustine Williams. He would not miss a chance like that.
Despite Lewis Hilton finding a seam to run through in the 88th minute, and a through ball of his own into the box, Charlie Dennis could not slot it home. Charleston again took our good chance and ran it back against us, scoring with mere seconds left. As another old saying goes: if you don’t take your chances against someone, they’ll take them against you.
What can San Diego learn from this?
Barring goals conceded after lapses in concentration, a big problem for the Rowdies in 2023, San Diego will still have plenty to work with. Tampa Bay, like all teams in soccer, are vulnerable on the turnover. With the full 90 passed and only half a minute of stoppage time to go, Charleston took advantage of just that type of scenario to score in transition and snatch all three points.
One player who’ll want to create these types of problems is Charlie Adams. A central midfielder and assist machine, he could be looked at as a corollary to Lewis Hilton. He will tend to sit deeper while other players look for the spaces where he can find them. The Rowdies defense has been comparatively poor this year and that room to run could lead to chances. Much like Tampa Bay, San Diego likes to use its fullbacks, who’ll look to open things up for the attackers.
The past several games have seen Blake Bodily start as the left wing back and Nick Moon as the right. Moon has been around the USL for a couple years, while Bodily is getting his first real crack after trying his hand at MLS. Each of them will be looking to take advantage of the issues the Rowdies have had. If they’re unable to decide who is responsible for which opposing player, they could end up following each other into a trap and allowing the dangerous forwards more room to exploit. This brings us to San Diego’s attack.
Evan Conway has scored in three straight games for the Loyal. He will be quite mobile compared to the big and strong Elliott Collier, a true battering ram up front. Collier, however, does not have a goal on the season.
There is a player right behind Conway in the scoring charts, though. San Diego getting only a half chance could be more than enough if it falls to the right person’s feet. That second highest scorer, a late addition on the season, is a name Rowdies fans will be familiar with.
Ronaldo Damus joined San Diego Loyal on loan from his parent club in Sweden on March 13th. He’d joined that club, GIF Sundsvall, from Orange County in the USL. It was with Orange County that Damus won the USL Championship Final in 2021, scoring in the 25th and 38th minutes. While the step up to the Swedish first division might be a bridge too far, his quality is obvious at this level and he’ll be more than a nuisance with the ball at his feet.
Behind Enemy Lines with Special Guest @aunderwood48 Alan Underwood of 2 Balls and a Mic
In Nate Miller’s “first year” at the helm of the club, San Diego has continued to fine tune their tactical set up. Starting with Koke Vegas in the back, his beautiful hair is now matched with his shot stopping ability, which was his one issue last year (the shot stopping, not the hair). San Diego usually roll with three in the back. Injuries have been an issue with the back line; but, they have some depth and it will have to come up big. This could be the weak link that Tampa Bay can exploit.
The midfield is anchored by Collin Martin and Charlie Adams. Adams and his ability to deliver the ball is really what makes the team’s offense tick, especially in set-piece opportunities. Newcomer Joe Corona has added depth to this duo.
Between Nick Moon, Ronaldo Damus, and Evan Conway, opposing defenses have their hands full. Conway has scored in 3 straight games, the last two assisted by Adams. He gets himself in dangerous areas on the pitch and can score with his feet or head. Tampa Bay fans probably remember him from last year’s match up as well. Damus has looked dangerous, too, giving the team the outlet they need if they are under pressure.
Score Predictions from the RBLR Rowdies Podcast:
Carlos Rueda: 1-1 Draw
James Knowles: 3-0 Loyal
Yurika Wheeler: 1-1 Draw
Special Guest: 2-1 Rowdies @zeldaselwonk Haley Knowles
