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USL Match Preview – #TBRvORL

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 03/24/17, 9:24AM EDT

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I-4 Derby kicks off the new season as Rowdies make their USL debut

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies will kick off their inaugural season in the USL on Saturday night when they host Orlando City B for the first I-4 Derby of the season at Al Lang Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2odxyLx | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2nv4q5k | Broadcast: thisTV (TBR)

Tampa Bay Rowdies news and notes

  • Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts

  • The Rowdies make their debut in the USL under Head Coach Stuart Campbell with a squad that on paper looks to be one of the strongest in the league, with former England international and Premier League champion Joe Cole the marquee presence.

  • Tampa Bay has also added some quality pieces this offseason, including former German international Marcel Schäfer, who holds the record for outfield player appearances in the Bundesliga for VfL Wolfsburg.

  • The side also has a strong core of players returning, led by veteran forward Georgi Hristov, former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens and the defensive duo of Neill Collins and Tam Mkandawire.

  • Among the new faces joining Schäfer are Jamaican international Damion Lowe and forward Darwin Jones, both offseason signings from Seattle Sounders FC, and Jamaican forward Deshorn Brown, who notched 20 goals in two season for the Colorado Rapids before heading overseas for the past two years.

Orlando City B news and notes

  • Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts

  • Orlando returns for its second season in the USL having made its debut in the USL Cup Playoffs in its inaugural season before falling to eventual champion the New York Red Bulls II.

  • The side includes a number of familiar faces, most notably that of leading scorer Michael Cox, who recorded 11 goals a season ago, and veteran midfielder Lewis Neal.

  • Head Coach Anthony Pulis’ side has also added some strong pieces led by 2016 USL All-League Second Team selection Zach Carroll from the Red Bulls II, and the likes of midfielder Paul Clowes and Jordan Schweitzer, and forward Ben Polk.

  • Orlando will see a familiar face on the opposing side with Luke Boden set to suit up for the first time for the Rowdies. Boden spent the past six seasons in Orlando, and was named to the 2014 USL All-League team for the Lions.

Series Notes

  • This is the first meeting between the Rowdies and OCB, but Tampa Bay and Orlando City SC have had a strong rivalry in the past through games in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and exhibition contests.

Squads

  • Tampa Bay - GK: Matt Pickens, Akira Fitzgerald, Matias Reynares; D: Luke Boden, Neill Collins, Darnell King, Damion Lowe, Tam Mkandawire, Kyle Porter, Zac Portillos; M: Justin Chavez, Joe Cole, Leo Fernandes, DarwinJones, Alex Morrell, Michael Nanchoff, Keith Savage, Marcel Schafer, Martin Vingaard; F: Deshorn Brown, Georgi Hristov

  • Orlando - GK: Earl Edwards Jr., Jake Fenlason; D: Kevin Alston, Conor Donovan, Tommy Redding, Zach Ellis Hayden, Jules Youmeni, David Norris, Scott Thomsen, Zach Carroll, Fernando Timbo, PC, Leonardo Pereira; M: Richie Laryea, Lewis Neal, Danny Deakin, Jordan Schweitzer, Paul Clowes, Austin Martz, Ryley Kraft, Joe Gallardo Jr., Pierre Da Silva; F: Hadji Barry, Ben Polk, Albert Dikwa, Michael Cox

Discipline

  • Tampa Bay – None

  • Orlando – None

Officials

  • REF: TED UNKEL

  • AR1: Kyle Longville

  • AR2: Walter Heatherly

  • 4TH: Alexander Derostang

Game hashtag:

  • #TBRvORL

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