Away to NCFC Preview
Date: Saturday August 9, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 pm EST at First Horizon Stadium in Cary, NC
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (17 pts 5W-2D-10L); North Carolina FC (26 pts 8W-2D-7L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 11th in the East and NCFC are 4th.
In a very topsy turvy 2025, the Rowdies are starting to show some signs of life. Slowly, and hopefully surely, they are putting themselves in a position to at least qualify for the postseason. As many teams can attest, if you’re in, anything can happen. They now face a tough test on the road with momentum as well as crucial points on the line. After two straight away wins in league play, Tampa Bay will want to do one better. Tune in this Saturday to watch how it plays out!
Can we win on the road again?
With four matches in Green and Gold under his belt, new coach Dominic Casciato has had a bit of time to introduce the team to his own style. At times, this has looked better than others. There were very good flashes in particular with attacking movements in the win last weekend over Indy. That wasn’t representative of the whole stretch; but, things seem to be trending well.
In that match, the home side was wasteful. They were able to create quite a few chances, especially when the Rowdies’ defense tried to play the ball out of the back. Still getting used to things, individuals struggled to bring the ball down in their own box under pressure. If Eleven attackers like Maalique Foster had been more clinical, it could’ve been a tougher game.
This is something Tampa Bay may come up against again this Saturday. North Carolina are a side that plays in a similar shape to Indy – and to the Rowdies for that matter. They should have three at the back with wingbacks that will try to contribute in attacking plays. If they do their homework, NCFC will look to put the visitors’ defense under pressure in their own box, too.
Considering their place in the USL Championship table, one could take it as given that North Carolina are better than Indy at doing just that. They sit fourth in the Eastern Conference behind runaway leaders Louisville and Charleston as well as early contenders Loudoun, who now sit only one point ahead. This doesn’t tell the whole story, though.
Lately, the former Railhawks have had a tough go of things. They’ve only won once in their last six games; although, they did take a penalty shootout victory over Loudoun in the USL Jager Cup. That outright win was a 4-2 home victory over – who else? – the Indy Eleven. North Carolina slightly edged that game in possession while dominating in chances and shots.
This may be a good time to play them away from home, though. If the Rowdies can work to perfect their own patterns of play on the training field, they may be better able to work around an expected press from the opposition in Cary. The field should also allow for better possession, as it is not an unpredictable turf surface like it was last weekend.
With good width to utilize as well, the most recent wingback pair of Blake Bodily and Nick Moon should have every chance to shine this weekend. They both looked lively getting into the attack against Indy. Moon in particular was able to combine well with Woobens Pacius, who frequently dropped deeper to offer a wall pass during buildup play with multiple options around him.
On the other side, the Rowdies would do well to double up in the midfield around central metronome Mikey Maldonado. With eight assists in all competitions, he is clearly their danger man. Maldonado leads his side with literally double the chances of the second highest creator. Taking him out of the game can help neutralize the home side’s attackers.
Score Predictions from the RBLR Rowdies Podcast:
Carlos: 2-1 W
James: 2-2 D
Yurika: 1-1 D
