Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Cup vs. Orlando City Preview
Written by James Knowles
Date: Wednesday May 7, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 pm EST at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL
Records: Tampa Bay Rowdies (4 pts 1W-1D-5L); Orlando City (17 pts 4W-5D-2L)
Standings: The Rowdies are 11th in the East in the USL Championship and OC are 8th in the East in MLS.
There are few games on the Rowdies’ schedule that could conjure as many emotions as the one taking place on Wednesday. Orlando City fans have a superiority complex – one that is maybe justified on the field, but certainly not off it. The likelihood is that their team continues an unbeaten streak against Tampa Bay, considering the disparity. But, anything is possible. Make sure you get to Al Lang and be as loud as you can so the Rowdies have a chance at victory!
What are you gonna do about it?
Generally, I would prefer to keep the RBLR Rowdies podcast out of the preview article. This is only so I can avoid as much overlap as possible while still talking about the same team. But, my cohost posed a question to anyone listening who wants the Rowdies to win: what are you gonna do about it? Orlando City and their fans do not respect this club. Do you think that’s acceptable?
Those fans have added an extra dimension to this fixture. Doing comparatively little that could be called positive, City aficionados have developed a reputation for their behavior that extends beyond those in the Bay Area. It shouldn’t be that surprising that when Atlanta United plays Inter Miami, their fans come together to chant, “FUCK ORLANDO!” before the match.
Vandalism to stadiums, people’s cars, and stolen hats aside, there truly is no comparison between Orlando and, well, any other major city in the state. It is by far the worst for its all-consuming tourism, literally never-ending traffic, and finally, its completely misplaced sense of importance. But, if you’re reading this, you’re wondering about the match coming up.
The fact of the matter is that in soccer terms, this is hardly a rivalry. Tampa Bay’s success in competitive games is naught. Most of this comes down to the difference in investment between the rosters. Even in the early years, it’s true that OC had more financial support. They were able to turn this into multiple wins after the Rowdies returned to the scene in 2010, originally as FC Tampa Bay.
Right now, the odds on favorite are the team from MLS. Not only has that gap in investment grown, but there are the myriad issues Rowdies fans know better than anyone. The team has one win all season. They barely scraped by FC Naples in their first Open Cup match, and the injuries, inJURIES, INJURIES! They only seem to be getting worse each month.
After changing formations, and then coaches, Tampa Bay has had to chop and change the starting eleven nearly every game to respond to players’ absences. Defensive midfield was filled last weekend by Thomas Vancaeyezeele. While he played admirably, one could argue he’s the third choice option for this spot with Cammy MacPherson and Lewis Hilton on the roster.
Vancaeyezeele’s versatility (band name?) is the perfect example of what the Rowdies will need to rely on when their Floridian opponents stop by. His grit should be the perfect example to all players of how to approach this game as well. Orlando may or may not use their own best starting eleven, with minutes also a concern for the Purple Whatever.
For the Open Cup, though, all that goes out the window. Form, injuries, odds all go out the window for these midweek matchups. Desire can go a long way here. Energy, on the field and from the stands, can take you even farther. So, with all that said – the disparity, the disrespect, the downright criminal… What are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna sit back? Are you gonna let them just have it? Are you?
RBLR Sports covers all professional sports in the Tampa Bay area, including the Rowdies and Sun FC. Our podcast releases every week live on YouTube.com/@RBLRSports and all major podcast platforms.