Rowdies Clinch Perfect USL Cup Group Stage With 2-0 Win Against USL League One FC Naples

The Rowdies get back to winning ways after defeating FC Naples 2-0 in the USL Prinx Tires Cup. The goals came from Karsen Henderlong and Evan Conway in the first half. 

Before the match, FC Naples announced they had sacked Manager and Sporting Director Matt Poland right before the game, meaning Naples played this game under Interim Manager Zak Gordon. 

One fact I thought was interesting was last year’s USL Cup match between Tampa Bay and FC Naples was the last match the Rowdies had an Interim Manager in the 2025 season. Coach Dom Casicato was announced as coach days after the 2-0 in Naples.

While possession in the 1st half was split 50/50, the Rowdies had the bulk of the chances. Evan Conway created good chances, including an outside-the-box shot that barely flew over FC Naples’ Goalkeeper Joshua Grant’s crossbar. 

The Rowdies found the net with Karsen Henderlong getting on the end of a Marco Micaletto free kick. Micaletto did a good job putting the ball in a dangerous area, but Henderlong’s perfectly placed header gave Grant little hope of stopping it. Henderlong scored against his former club, and gave the Rowdies the lead with 5 minutes until halftime. 

A few minutes later, it was 2-0 to the Green and Gold. Isaiah LeFlore’s right-footed shot was parried out wide. Pedro Dolabella was the first to the ball, who passed it across the face of goal to a wide-open Evan Conway, who easily tapped in the second of the half. 

Naples played well in the match too, but never amounting any clear chances against the Rowdies defense. 

Speaking of defense, Leland Archer, a big signing in the offseason, went down injured in the first minute of play, getting subbed out before the 3rd minute. 

The team was relatively unchanged from the midweek friendly against the MLS’ Orlando City, which ended in a 6-0 hammering in favor of Orlando. 

The only changes to this Saturday’s roster was Karsen Henderlong starting as striker instead of MD Myers, and Pedro Dolabella starting over Mattheus Oliveria. 

I was a bit nervous about the players’ confidence coming into the match, but they seemed to be mostly back to their pre-slump form. The main thing I noticed was the lack of shooting by Rowdies. 

At the beginning of the season, the players were not afraid to take a shot from range. Multiple Louis Perez and Sebastian Cruz goals were scored this way. Now, there appears to be a sense of hesitation, and instead of shooting, they pass it back to play it wide. 

For example, the second goal was set up by LeFlore’s long-range shot, which was not properly cleared after the initial save. 

The Naples game was good because there was no pressure, and it gave the team a chance to practice breaking down a low block. While the second goal was really lucky (no Naples player covering the cross will not happen against a good USL Championship team), the team looked to be comfortable breaking down the defense.

The other benefit of the game was getting practice against low-block teams. Lexington plays the same way that Naples does, and Lexington completely undid the Rowdies. It was good minutes to practice new ways in undoing a compact team, with having very little pressure to win.  

The best aspect of this game was players who usually don’t play got some minutes. Karsen Henderlong, Evan Conway, and Isaiah LeFlore all got minutes they usually don’t see in league games. Also, Gennaro Nigro made his Rowdies debut, making him the 21st player to make their debut for the club for this club in the 2026 season.  

Regardless, the team powered through with solid defense, scored a few goals, collected the win, and got back to winning ways.

With the Rowdies topping their group, they were put into the draw to determine their opponent for the USL Cup quarterfinals.

Tampa Bay drew Louisville City FC at home, meaning the two teams will play against each other twice within two weeks.

Louisville clinched their group with a derby win against Lexington SC, a 4-2 win at Lynn Family Stadium.

Louisville’s group was tough, having Detroit City FC in their group, as well as two of the best USL League One teams at the moment, Union Omaha and Fort Wayne FC.

Lou City beat both League One teams, with the Detroit game being tied after 90 minutes, and a Louisville win on penalties.

The last time the Rowdies faced Lou City, they won at Lynn Family Stadium 2-0. The goals came from an impressive MD Myers solo effort, and a Max Schneider dagger in stoppage time.

The game will be a midweek match, being played at Al Lang Stadium on Wednesday, August 12th. While knockout soccer is always exciting, the Rowdies are still in the lead in the league as well. 

The Rowdies now move to their next match, Loudoun United FC at Segra Field. 

If you were following the Rowdies at the end of last season, that game against Loudoun away will be burned into your memory. The Joey Skinner stoppage time goal to draw, the two late-minute Woobens Pacius misses, it was just a crazy game, that summed up the 2025 season. 

Loudoun have had a brutal season so far, sitting in 12th place, one above last place Sporting Jax. They have just brought in former Rowdie goalkeeper Jordan Farr on loan, so we know the quality he brings on the pitch. 

The attack will have to be on its best in order to have to score against Farr, but I believe in this attack. Especially since Russell Cicerone got a full games rest against FC Naples. 

I am going with a 2-0 win for the Rowdies, another clean sheet for this Tampa Bay defense.