Away to Phoenix Rising Preview
Date: Saturday August 10, 2024
Kickoff Time: 11:00 pm EST at Phoenix Rising Stadium in Phoenix, AZ
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (39 pts 11W-6D-4L); Phoenix Rising FC (25 pts 6W-7D-8L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 3rd in the East and Phoenix Rising are 9th in the West.
A 2-2 draw away in California is not what was expected out of the Rowdies’ last game. It didn’t even look likely as the match went along. A late controversy led to the goal that drew the game level for Monterey Bay. It was late enough that two points were dropped. Now, Tampa Bay has to travel out west again in search of a win. After a disappointing result, a game against Phoenix, with whom they have some history, could be just what is needed.
Just how much impact can a referee have?
A lot of commentators make a point of avoiding discussion of refereeing controversies. All of them should recognize that the low scores in this sport open it up to much more significance being placed on these controversies. It’s an admirable goal, often coming from a good place; but, completely ignoring the impact of referees is perhaps foolish at times. (Don’t even get me started about Scotland’s match vs. Hungary in the recent Euro 2024 group stages.)
Rarely will a single decision determine the outcome of a game (unless you’re Scotland’s Stuart Armstrong. I’m not bitter!). The same can be said about this one. Tampa Bay did not play well throughout the 90 minutes. Manager Robbie Neilson said as much in his post game interview. He even rhetorically asked if his side had deserved to go ahead when it did.
A tactical substitution made in the first half – an extreme rarity in soccer – led to better passages of play from Tampa Bay. Freddy Kleemann did not cover himself in glory in this one. (However, much like Monterey’s second goal, it cannot be said to come down to just one thing.) He came off and Blake Bodily came on to take up his usual position as the left wing back.
The Rowdies began to improve and then were able to impose themselves in the second half. It was in that half that they leveled the game and then took the lead. While the penalty that led to Manuel Arteaga’s goal was an outlier as a strange decision from the defender, the visitors had been knocking on the door for some time. They looked the most likely team to take the lead.
Also notable in this second half was the introduction of Leo Fernandes. He and Bodily being back in the lineup bode well for the Green and Gold. The latter’s impact was almost immediate, while it was the former’s play that earned the penalty. Bodily loves attacking down the left side in a way that no one else could likely do. Perhaps no one other than Leo Fernandes, that is.
Fans shouldn’t expect to see Leo lining up on the left. His MVP season in 2022 was played as a central #10, creating for the strikers in front of him. Although a #10 may not fit into the plans of the new manager, Leo’s obvious versatility should be a boon regardless. It’s just unfortunate in this game that the foul he earned in Monterey Bay’s box wasn’t enough to win.
Finally, we get to the fourth goal of the game, scored by Monterey Bay’s Tristan Trager. It should first be pointed out that the referee absolutely made a mistake in that moment. He disregarded his own hand signal because a player thought quickly and pulled a fast one. The Rowdies were slow to react (possibly because they had seen the call) and Trager bit them in the butt again.
With the value of hindsight, perhaps bringing someone down – outside the box – would’ve been smart. They can argue with the ref then as opposed to when Phil Breno was getting the ball out of his net. It’s frustrating, to be sure. It shouldn’t happen. But, the final result was not down to that non-call. Ultimately, they were in a position to give up a goal because of the previous 90 minutes.
What on earth is going on with Phoenix?
Last week, the portion of the column started with the question “will Monterey Bay prove a thorn in our side?” The answer came back: yes. This week, though, the winds seem to favor Tampa Bay. They will travel out west again. Their opposition isn’t doing well in the standings. But, in stark contrast, this will be played on turf. Even more importantly, it will be against a veritable rival.
Around the beginning of the Covid era, the Rowdies were the force in the Eastern Conference. A confluence of factors has seen them dip beneath that wave recently. In the Western Conference, the team on that level was Phoenix. The Rising would’ve contested the 2020 USL Championship Final – had it taken place. Covid meant that there were only Conference Champions that year.
During the Rowdies’ relative lull, Phoenix only went and won the USL Championship. Developing a reputation during the playoffs as true cardiac kids, they took Charleston to the very last minute, leveling the game and then beating the Battery on penalties. As defending champions, it was supposed to be a good year in 2024. In truth, it has been anything but.
Sitting outside the playoff positions, the front office decided to take things in a new direction. When last season’s head coach left in the offseason, his assistant, Danny Stone, took over. He was relieved of his duties last month and his own assistant has taken over. Unfortunately for Spaniard Diego Gomez, they have only managed one win in his four games.
In an attempt to right the ship, Gomez has not only changed up formations and lineups. He has also brought in new players, including MLS-loanee Tomas Angel and former Rowdies midfielder Charlie Dennis. Striker Angel and Dennis have already started for the Rising, alongside another former Tampa Bay player, Laurence Wyke, who was on their backline.
All of this points to a team in transition. Not only on the roster, but even in the coaching staff are Phoenix looking for their next step. Of all the games between the Rowdies and Rising, this seems like one of the best opportunities for the Floridians to capitalize. There should also be no fears that Tampa Bay will “play down” to their opponents here. Why is that?
For one thing, there is some history between these clubs, as was mentioned above. While not a derby game per se, it has taken on that feeling at times. Regardless of that history, several players in common will know what it means for Phoenix to play this club. Not many still remain from the 2020 season on either side. Those who do can still impact the locker room. (One of those in particular is likely a Rising assistant coach, Tampa-native Darnell King.)
Every three points the Rowdies can take at this point of the season are crucial. Louisville City and Charleston still have a good gap between them and Tampa Bay in third place in the East. Consistently dropping points that they were expected to win has been an Achilles heel for the Green and Gold in 2024. Perhaps some added fire in the belly is what’s needed.
Score Predictions from the RBLR Rowdies Podcast:
Carlos: 3-0 W
James: 3-1 W
Yurika: 2-0 W
