Carolina vs. Tampa Bay Preview
Date: Friday March 13 at 7:00 pm
Upcoming Game: Carolina vs. Tampa Bay
How do we take some momentum with us on the road?
The Sun have had roughly three weeks off since their last game due to the international window and an additional bye week in between. Whether or not this helps the squad after getting such a strong win against their opponent is almost irrelevant, as their upcoming hosts have had exactly as many days off in between. Only players on international duty might have had some solid playing time.
To look at each team’s record before the international break, one would find very interesting results. While Tampa Bay fans will – correctly – bemoan their team form until their most recent game, Carolina supporters might have even more cause for concern. The Ascent sit fourth with 23 points from 18 matches; but, don’t let that fool you.
Carolina lost three games in a row, including two at home, before coming up with a win against Dallas the same night the Sun broke their winless skid. Both the Ascent and Trinity had a player sent off late. However, Sydney Studer, with an assist from Jill Aguilera in both instances, knocked home a double to give Carolina the three points in front of their local fans.
Studer is a defender and, therefore, not someone you’d expect to see on the scoresheet twice. Despite that, only three players have more goals scored: Rylee Baisden with four, and Audrey Harding and Mackenzie George with three each. These are not stellar statistics. (We’ll review the Sun’s as well, which aren’t much better.) Carolina are not powerhouses so far this year.
The Ascent will look to build up their attacks down the wings, with wide players making up the bulk of both goals and assists. There are two things to consider in relation to that tactic for the Sun: both how they shut down Fort Lauderdale three weeks ago and how Carolina will do things differently. Width is important for both aspects.
Tampa Bay was able to get their 3-0 win over FLOOTD by isolating opposition players in wide areas near their own 18-yard box, winning the ball back, and getting good chances out of it. Presumably, they will want to isolate the Ascent’s wide players as well. Of course, Carolina will be better at keeping the ball and building with it in those same parts of the field than United were.
The defense for the Blue and Gold was by no means flawless. Keeper Emory Wegener held her side in the game and kept things steady. If the Sun apply the same tactics, they will need to hone their patterns and triggers to contain a better opponent. Not doing so seems likely to cause more problems this week away from home than it did in Tampa last month.
One other factor is Sydny Nasello. Suffering an injury in the match before the derby win, she played through it and earned Player of the Match honors from RBLR Sun. Her six goals are not only impressive; they’re good for double the next highest player (who has also been dealing with an injury). Fans will hope she is back to full fitness for this potentially huge matchup.
RBLR Score Predictions:
Liz: 1-0 W
JD: 2-1 W
James: 2-2 D
Yurika: 3-2 W
RBLR Score Predictions Standings:
Liz: 7
JD: 1
Yurika: 3
James: 8
