2021 USL Final Rematch Makes West Coast Debut
Orange County continues their 2023 campaign Saturday, March 18th at home against the Rowdies of Tampa Bay.
After suffering defeat in their opening matchup against Louisville City, Orange County now shifts its focus to another Eastern Conference powerhouse in that of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies, like Louisville, have won the Eastern Conference a number of times in recent memory. However they have yet to win a USL title. Thus the expectations for them this season remain very high.
This will be the first time since 2013 that Orange County will host a Tampa Bay franchise. The last time this occurred was on April 2, 2013 when the then Los Angeles Blues played at home against VSI Tampa Bay in 0-1 loss to the visitors.
THE OPPONENT - TAMPA BAY ROWDIES
The Rowdies have remained as one of the premier USL franchises in the Eastern Conference. This season sees the return of a number of franchise centerpieces along with some new weapons for head coach Neill Collins to implement in a new-look franchise from the one that faced OC in the 2021 USL Final.
In their first matchup of the season, the Rowdies played to a 1-1 draw at home against Indy Eleven. Midfielder Jake Areman found the net, however a stoppage-time Aodhan Quinn PK would split the points down in the Florida Gulf Coast.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tampa Bay returns a number of former players to their 2023 mix. The most important of these is the three-time USL Defender of the Year Forrest Lasso who returns to Florida after a season abroad in Sweden. However it is the offense that has been the point of discussion for Tampa Bay this season. After losing both of their scoring threats from last season in Fernandes to injury and Guenzatti to Indy , the Rowdies will look to both Cal Jennings and JJ Williams to pick up the load in the offensive third.
For the Boys in Orange, Thomas Amang could very well make his Orange County debut. The former San Diego Loyal forward had a career year last season scoring 11 goals and made the surprise move to Orange County late in this year's preseason. He is eligible to feature on Saturday after a one-match suspension for a red card that he received last season. Likewise, Kevin Partida will look to continue his great start to the season. After scoring his first goal for Orange County against Louisville, he will look to continue his efforts and get Orange County their first points of the 2023 season.
THE MATCHUP
The Oranges and Rowdies will meet for a third time overall and a first time in Southern California. In their last matchup, the Rowdies grabbed a 3-1 victory last season during the regular season. However the most notable matchup was the 2021 USL final in which Orange County won their first championship at Al Lang Stadium by a 3-1 scoreline.
From the Opposition
From @RBLRJamesK of the @RBLRRowdies podcast:
The Rowdies started off the season on a note that isn’t quite sour, but wasn’t quite sweet. After bringing back a couple of big names from seasons past, it was another former player (Sebastian Guenzatti) who won a late penalty for the opposition, despite the foul against him occurring well outside the box. Coach Neill Collins said after the game that now was the time the team started to learn, and started to implement their game plan. Preseason, unfortunately, can only get you so far. The Rowdies must learn from this first game and improve in the next.
To do this, fans will want to see players try to string more passes together when attacking. Many of the plays from last weekend fizzled out in hoofed long balls that the opposition center backs ate up. Partly, this can be explained by metronome midfielder Lewis Hilton going down with an injury and being subbed in the first ten minutes. His return will be influential if it does come. If not, Rowdies will have to make do with a team that is still brimming with talent. Using our wingbacks to whip in crosses is often our default, and with OC giving up multiple goals in their first game that way, don’t be surprised to see it here.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
When - March 18, 7:00 PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - L
TBR Form - D
All-Time Matchup - 1-1-0
TV - ESPN+, Bally Sports SoCal