Tampa Bay Rowdies Home vs. Rhode Island FC Preview
Written by James Knowles
Date: Saturday May 17, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 pm EST at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (4 pts 1W-1D-6L); Rhode Island FC (9 pts 2W-3D-3L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 11th in the East and Rhode Island are 6th.
It’s been a tough start to 2025 for the Rowdies – both players and fans. A combined score of 8-1 in two games last week left the latter of those feeling the need to tell the former that this is, frankly, unacceptable. A whole review would be overkill at a time like this, so this article will encompass what is necessary to that end, while looking forward to Saturday as well. All fans need to show they still stand behind the club and be there this weekend to cheer the boys on!
Can we just say the season starts now?
No one reading this will be pleased with the last two months of play from the Rowdies. Sitting tied for last in the East – and in the overall table as well – this is entirely unfamiliar territory. It’s made all the more so because no one thought this team was a bad one. They looked to all the world like a roster largely capable of playing and competing in the USL Championship.
Almost certainly, that is what they still are. However, it is inarguable that some players are not living up to expectations right now, and the team as a whole is struggling to find something – anything – to hold onto. One piece of good news is that their upcoming opponent is none too hot, either. But, before we get there, let’s briefly look at the match vs. Charleston.
Last week started as poorly as it can. A bad referee made a terrible decision, awarding what was essentially a phantom penalty. It’s one among many this season the Rowdies have suffered from. That being said, the response to going down a goal was very much un-Green and un-Gold. After similarly quickfire goals in the Open Cup, they gave up another two here before 30 minutes had elapsed.
Going in 3-0 at halftime, those in the stands were shellshocked. Or rather, they would have been, if they hadn’t seen the same thing a few days earlier. The Rowdies were forced into a halftime sub due to injury and ultimately changed their formation for the second period. From a 3-4-3 cum 3-5-2, they were able to prevent Charlton from scoring again – and even got one of their own.
The formational switch was in part due to necessity. Pacifique Niyongabire’s injury meant it might make sense to move things around. But, Tampa Bay have been dealing with an injury crisis for the better part of two months now. Playing the hand you’re dealt is all manager Steve Coleman knows at this point. He’ll have to continue doing that for the match Saturday night.
Whether he’s got what it takes to overcome Rhode Island is another matter. The visitors are on the second game of a weeklong road trip. After going to Alabama, RIFC were able to beat Birmingham Legion 1-0. A strike from Maxi Rodriguez early in the first half was all they needed. The extra travel may or may not take a toll on those players heading farther south to Florida.
The other big news is that striker JJ Williams is unavailable. Their current top scorer has been a good partner to Albert Dikwa. Lately, the latter has had to play more of a single-man role, with help from deeper midfielders and a couple different players on the wing. Noah Fuson, a revelation last season, has yet to find similar form. The same could be said of offseason signing Rodriguez.
They have added at the back, bringing in former MLS player Aime Mabika to shore things up defensively. The tall center back got his first start for his new club on Wednesday. He may still be rusty, though, having only played about 40 minutes before then. This seems to be a good opportunity for the Rowdies to start mounting a comeback. The question is whether they can do it right now.