Tampa Bay Rowdies Weekly: vs Monterey Bay
Last Game: Saturday September 27, 2025
Result: Loudoun United 2-2 Tampa Bay
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (27 pts 7W-6D-13L); Loudoun United FC (39 pts 11W-6D-9L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 10th in the East and Loudoun are 4th.
RBLR Man of the Match:
Carlos: Alex Mendez
James: Alex Mendez
It was a late goals bonanza in Virginia. While very exciting for the neutral, it’s unlikely fans of either side came away particularly happy. The Rowdies continue to fight for a postseason berth, something looking ever more elusive with each passing game. Of their remaining four fixtures, the home match this weekend looks the most winnable. With just that many remaining, it seems like it’s three points or bust. Get your tickets to cheer the team on at home this weekend!
This Week: Saturday October 4, at 7:30
Upcoming Game: Tampa Bay vs. Monterey Bay
We have to beat this team at home, right?!
The Rowdies have four games left. They are five points out of a playoff spot. I know you’ve heard this before… but, this game is a must win. While Tampa Bay may not be mathematically eliminated with a loss or draw, I think it’s fair to say that most fans will see the writing on the wall. The good news is the opposition this week is trending down in an already-poor season.
Monterey Bay, rather surprisingly, beat Sacramento Republic at home this past weekend. Before that, though, they had not won a game since July 11th. As a reminder, it’s nearly October now. They only have a single point more than the Rowdies, with one extra draw in their 27 played. Although they’re technically closer to the postseason in the West, for them, things are bleak.
The starting XI for the visitors this weekend has changed a lot lately. In addition to players moving to and from the bench, others have filled in different roles from one week to the next. It’s been rough for their manager, Jordan Stewart, to determine what he wants to do with those he has available. While this might sound familiar, it seems to be worse for Monterey than Tampa Bay.
Usually playing with four at the back, the Californians have had a particularly rough time defensively. Until their 1-0 win last Saturday, they only had one shut out dating back to May. This is key for the Rowdies, who have excelled lately in the attacking part of the game. With the addition of several newcomers, the scoring stats have started to pop in the last few weeks.
It is incumbent on the home side to get a good result here, and being strong up front is a big part of that. If Paul Marie and Alex Mendez can continue their good form in the center of the midfield, with wide players Blake Bodily and Juan Azocar contributing, holes are likely to open up in the Monterey Bay backline. Manuel Arteaga has scored in each of his last three games.
Where Tampa Bay needs the most help is sorting things out at the back. The starters in that back-three unit have changed a lot recently. This seems to be a sign of a lack of confidence manager Dominic Casciato has in his options. (It should be noted the Rowdies’ last clean sheet was in mid-July.) Goals both very early and very late have killed off several potential wins.
If there was ever a game to get a clean sheet in, that would be now. Monterey Bay’s best striker has five goals in league play. Their best assist-er has only three. Whether it’s Laurence Wyke, Forrest Lasso, Robert Castellanos, or Thomas Vancaeyezeele beside the ever-present Aaron Guillen, they need to dial in from minute one to minute 90 and see this one out – or risk losing vital points once again.
RBLR Score Predictions:
Carlos: 3-1 W
James: 2-0 W
Yurika: 2-1 W
RBLR Sports Predictions Standings:
Carlos: 11
James: 18
Yurika: 20
