ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With eight points needed to get into the USL Cup Playoffs the Tampa Bay Rowdies get back in action on Saturday night, taking on the Charlotte Independence in a crucial match for their hopes of a top-four finish in the USL Eastern Conference. Despite reaching the final six matches of the season well in range of a place in the USL Cup Playoffs, the Rowdies are keeping their focus on the short term.

“Obviously we need eight points, but we just focus on the next game here. We don’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Rowdies forward Martin Patterson. “This is a tough game on Saturday, and we just look at the three points to win on Saturday, that’s all we can do. It would be a mistake to overlook anything, or to look past this one game.”

The Rowdies have at least one game in hand on each of the four teams above them in the USL Eastern Conference, which Head Coach Stuart Campbell believes gives them an advantage.

“We’re looking at it from a positive manner, it’d be great to have been playing Saturday-Saturday, but due to unforseen circumstances, things we couldn’t control, like the hurricane it wasn’t a viable option for us,” said Campbell. “We had to prioritize things. We know what’s required, and we’re not getting too ahead of ourselves regarding three, four, five, games down the line. We’re solely focused on Charlotte, which should be a good game.”

Taking on a team above them in the second-place Independence gives the Rowdies a big chance to gain some ground. Tatmpa Baysits just two points behind the fourth-place Rochester Rhinos, who visit the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, but with a win would have a chance to get within a point of Charlotte with its game in hand.

That makes Saturday night's game at Al Lang Stadium one of the biggest of the season as the Rowdies hunt a finish in the top four and at least one home playoff game.

“It’s absolutely crucial, it’s a big game, it’s the business end of the season and every game is absolutely massive now,” said Campbell. “It’s a must-win game for us, that’s the way we’re approaching it and we want to give our fans who have been brilliant all season, something to yell about it.”

The fans, led by supporters' group Ralph's Mob, have created a strong atmosphere at home for the Rowdies this season. That has helped the Rowdies hold one of the strongest home records in the league at 9-1-3.

“It’s absolutely priceless, it’s like having a 12th man on your team, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that we have the best [home] record in the USL Eastern Conference,” said Campbell. “I think the fans need to take massive credit, I’ve been here for six years, as a player, and now a coach, this is by far the best attendance that we’ve had and it’s by far the best atmosphere that has been generated. The fans have been a big factor in why we’ve been so successful at home this season.”

Beyond the fans, the contributions of Paterson and fellow forward Georgi Hristov have been key to getting the Rowdies where they are. The duo has combined for 19 goals this season, with Hristov holding the edge for the team-high with 10 tallies this season, but Paterson insists “there’s no rivalry on the team.”

“I can’t speak for Georgi but I’m delighted to score goals, but first and foremost we’re worried about results,” said the former Northern Ireland international. “The individual positives aren’t what we’re worried about in the moment, it’s the collective good that’s the most important thing. As much as we’ve got some nice goals lately we’re more concerned with the team.”

With six games to play, the Rowdies could be forgiven for preparing for the playoffs. With everything still to play for in the regular season, though, that's taking a back seat for now.

“I can’t talk about the playoffs," said Paterson. "It’s something we can’t talk about, they’re not going to go away, the Playoffs are always going to be there. Until you’re in the playoffs you can’t start talking about them, and if you do it can be a mistake, so let’s get there first.

“Let’s get the next result at home, and then, hopefully, the points to get in the playoffs. Then I can sit and talk about the playoffs all day long."