ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (September 21, 2017) — After more than a month away from Al Lang Stadium, the Tampa Bay Rowdies make their long-awaited return home for an intriguing showdown against the Charlotte Independence, the opening salvo of a six-game mad dash to the end of the regular season.

Here are some of the key matches taking place around the Eastern Conference this weekend...

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charlotte Independence
Saturday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. | WATCH HERE
Tampa Bay has been off for more than two weeks since winning 3-2 in Harrisburg on September 6, but will have no time to ease back into action with a tough opponent ahead. Tampa Bay drew its only previous match against Charlotte, which is currently second in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte has won just once in its last five matches to fall adrift of Louisville at the top of the East. The Independence is coming off a lopsided 3-0 defeat in Charleston on Wednesday night.

Richmond Kickers vs. Rochester Rhinos
Saturday, September 23, 7 p.m. | WATCH HERE
It's likely too late for Richmond to make the playoffs this season, but the Kickers could do the Rowdies a big favor by earning a result against the Rhinos.

Rochester heads to Virginia off the back of a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in Louisville on Wednesday night. The Rhinos looked poised for a point before a stoppage time penalty kick denied them and gave the Rowdies a boost. Tampa Bay is two points behind Rochester with a game in hand coming into the weekend.

Orlando City B vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. | WATCH HERE
Orlando's playoff future looks tenuous at best, with the Lions currently sitting in the eighth spot, but just two points ahead of Bethlehem, which has two games in hand over Orlando.

Charleston's win on Wednesday gave the Battery a six-point cushion over the Rowdies, but Tampa Bay has two games in hand. Any points dropped by Charleston in Orlando will give the Rowdies a little inspiration to reel the Battery in.