Matchweek 1 Preview: Birmingham Legion FC to host Tampa Bay Rowdies
We have done it guys! We have made it through the worst part of the year (the off season), and are ready to see our lads in Green and Gold take the center stage again and fight for a third star on the crest.
In a season that will be remembered by a hammering from our rivals, a fun away day to Naples (twice for me), and a whole lot of losing for us. It is time that we put the dreadful season behind us and look ahead to what 2026 holds for the Rowdies faithful.
Off-Season Transfers:
After an amazing offseason signing top tier USL Championship players like MD Myers, Nathan Dossantos, Russell Cicerone, and Jahmali Waite, Coach Dom Casicato also signed some of the best USL League One players like FC Naples’ star striker Karsen Henderlong, AV Alta winger and fullback Sebastian Cruz, and some of his former players from Union Omaha, including midfielder Max Schneider, fullback Dion Acoff, and fullback Charlie Ostrem.
Preseason:
With the most ambitious offseason I’ve seen following the Rowdies, expectations were high heading into preseason. The team played two behind-closed-door friendlies against MLS opposition (New York City FC and St. Louis City FC) with both matches ending in a 2-2 draw.
Attending every open-to-the-public preseason game, it was hard not to be thoroughly impressed by how the boys played. The team held their own against a strong Philadelphia Union side, only conceding when trialists were on the field and Philly had their 2025 MLS Supporter’s Shield winning team on the pitch.
The Rowdies would play another MLS team in CF Montreal, and would win 2-0 in 90 minutes. Due to an agreement between the clubs, the teams played an additional 30 minutes. Montreal would tie the game, but by this point it is not a shock that an MLS team has a stronger reserve team than a USL club.
The Rowdies played USL League One club FC Naples, which was a 3-0 demolition job for the Green and Gold. The Rowdies looked very sharp, and could have scored three or four more if it wasn’t for that pesky woodwork.
The Rowdies would wrap up their (open) preseason by facing USL League One newcomers Sarasota Paradise in a charity match remembering the late John Cochol, in a game that will be known as the Cochol Cup. The game was quite frustrating as the Rowdies would struggle to break down Sarasota’s low block. However, the Rowdies would find the breakthrough via a Pedro Dolabella header. Tampa Bay would hold onto the 1-0 lead, and would lift their first silverware of the season.
Tampa Bay played new USL Championship side Sporting Jax, but it was behind closed doors. The Rowdies did win the match 1-0 through a Pedro Dolabella penalty.
Match Preview:
Now that the quick preseason summary is over, let’s look forward to our season opener, an 8pm ET kickoff in Birmingham, Alabama.
Birmingham Legion FC will be without core players midfielder Enzo Martinez (who is loved by all of those in Ralph’s Mob and the Skyway Casuals) and goalkeeper Matt Van Okel.
The Rowdies will likely line up in some variation of a 3-4-2-1. During preseason, coach Casicato switched formations up, but a variation of a 3-4-3 seems highly likely.
It’s worth noting that MD Myers and Leland Archer have not been visible in recent preseason friendlies, so they will be excluded from the projected starting XI.
Jahmali Waite is the likely favorite to get the start between the sticks. The three centerback trio in front of the Jamaican keeper will likely be Nathan Dossantos, FC Cincinnati loanee Brian Schaefer, and Dion Acoff as the right centerback.
Charlie Ostrem slots in as the starting left wingback, with Max Schneider and Lewis Hilton as the two central midfielders, and Sebastian Cruz as the right wingback. Russell Cicerone and Pedro Dolabella serve as the supporting attackers, with Karsen Henderlong as the starting striker. Based on FotMob data, the starting lineup should look something similar to this.:
Historically in the past three seasons, the Rowdies have dropped points in their season openers. The 2023 game against Indy ended in a 1-1 draw. The defensive collapse of 2024’s season opener saw the Rowdies concede twice in 10 minutes against San Antonio FC. Finally, the goalkeeper mistake which saw Tampa Bay lose 1-0 to Las Vegas Lights FC in the 2025 season opener.
I, being an eternal optimist, have gone on record with a 2-0 victory for the Green and Gold. I think that the goals will come from Pedro Dolabella and Karsen Henderlong.
