Pittsburgh 2-1 L Review and Midweek Indy Eleven Preview
Date: Saturday June 21, 2025
Result: Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-1 Tampa Bay
Upcoming Game: Tampa Bay vs. Indy Eleven
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (8 pts 2W-2D-9L); Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (17 pts 5W-2D-6L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 12th in the East and the Riverhounds are 6th.
While the Rowdies have frequently struggled on away trips to Pittsburgh, it was a case of shooting themselves in the foot more than anything this past weekend. Defensively speaking, the team did not inspire. Heading back to friendlier confines on Wednesday, the boys will look to bounce back against another team who haven’t met their fans’ expectations. Get to Al Lang this week to cheer them on to victory!
Was this game a step back?
Before this match kicked off, RBLR Rowdies previewed it, highlighting some potential pitfalls for the Green and Gold. One of those was the width of the pitch. With Tampa Bay having taken up a more familiar 3-5-2 formation recently, the importance of wingbacks on the flanks has risen again. Former manager Neill Collins once angrily described the Riverhounds’ stadium as a “postage stamp.”
Indeed, the Rowdies did struggle to build up much, in particular involving their wide players. What was not expected was how well Pittsburgh would do at this same task. Lining up in a similar formation, their wingbacks were able to interact remarkably well with the attacking players ahead of them. Tampa Bay never adjusted over the course of the first half.
So it was that in the 15th minute, the home side earned one among their nine corners on the night. Defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele was the unfortunate soul who turned the ball into his own net, giving the Riverhounds an early lead. A true fluke, it was the second goal for Pittsburgh that better reflected the execution of a good game plan for the hosts.
Moving the Rowdies’ defense back and forth, they were able to create space on their postage stamp of a field, allowing Pittsburgh defender Luke Biasi the time and space to measure up a cross. Despite it coming from his lesser foot, Biasi’s ball found a player in black and gold and the back post. Augie Williams just isn’t going to miss from within the six yard box.
Substitutions and tactical changes to switch things up came too late to overcome the two early goals. While a nice run from Ollie Bassett did create the space for Manuel Arteaga to notch his third goal of the year, that would turn out to be only one of three shots on target from the visitors. This simply isn’t good enough, and never gave them a shot at leveling the score.
The Rowdies’ poor defensive actions had been a big issue over the first part of the season. During June, however, there were improvements made, in particular after moving back to a three-at-the-back system. This seemed like a reversion to the prior month. Players were slow to react, their shape was often wrong, and they didn’t always cover Pittsburgh’s attackers. It was a disaster waiting to happen.
RBLR Man of the Match:
James: Manuel Arteaga
Carlos: Ollie Bassett
How do we do better against Indy?
For starters, the players can remember what put them in a better position before that ill-fated trip last weekend. Intensity is important when defending. So, too, is tracking your mark and maintaining a good distance to avoid fouls and also stay close enough to react. A return to more normal conditions, like a grass pitch on a normal-sized field, should help as well.
The visitors to Al Lang this week have also been poor in 2025. They, like the Rowdies, had begun to turn things around up until this past weekend. After an away win in the USL Jager Cup, Indy drew 4-4 on the road, won two games in a row, and then lost at home vs. Las Vegas. (The latter team may be experiencing their own revival after firing their previous manager.)
Indy currently sit just outside the playoff spots, with six points and a game in hand over Tampa Bay. This could be a very important game in the USL Championship season for the Rowdies. Roughly halfway through the year, they sit in last place overall. The next match after this one will be in the Jager Cup again. Reaching the postseason seems far off at the moment.
Taking advantage of the visitors’ weaknesses is paramount. The Eleven will likely line up in a similar formation. However, due to injuries and other circumstances, their available wingbacks are not whom fans would expect to see. Bruno Rendon, a more natural fit at right back, lined up opposite Finn McRobb most recently. McRobb is more of a central defender.
In front of the very defensive backline is a midfield almost exclusively composed of central midfielders. In other words, attacking width is not going to be their defining trait. Instead, they will likely try to fill in specifically the center of the park and overload the Rowdies’ forces there. They certainly do have good capabilities, with several USL veterans in the area.
Clogging up these passing lanes is important naturally. It will also be crucial for the Green and Gold to do what Pittsburgh did last week and shuffle the Indy backline out of position. Under the conditions of hot weather and being on the road, the Eleven will probably bunker defensively. It will make things difficult on the attacking end. Of course, it was never going to be easy.
RBLR Rowdies Predictions:
Carlos: 2-0 W
James: 2-1 W
Yurika: 1-0 W
RBLR Sports Predictions Standings:
Carlos: 2
James: 12
Yurika: 12
