ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies began the day uncertain of even hosting a postseason contest at Al Lang Stadium when the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs arrive.

By the end of Saturday night’s 1-0 victory against the Charlotte Independence, the path to second place in the Eastern Conference had suddenly opened wide.

“Huge three points,” said Rowdies defender Hunter Gorskie. “No matter what we wanted to get a win at home after being away for so long. We knew it was going to be tough because they’re a good team, but we had to get it done no matter what.”

Gorskie’s goal, his second in three games since joining the club in August, paved the way to victory for the Rowdies. Denied moments earlier by a goal-line clearance by the Independence, Gorskie’s volleyed finish off the ensuing corner kick just crossed the line before Charlotte goalkeeper Cody Mizell – a former Rowdie himself – could punch the ball to safety.

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The goal brought a bumper crowd of 7,786 fans at Al Lang Stadium to their feet as the Rowdies earned their 10th home victory of the season. So did a dramatic late save by goalkeeper Matt Pickens to deny Independence forward Enzo Martinez his 17th goal of the season to preserve the victory late on.

It was the type of atmosphere that would make a major difference should the playoffs arrive in downtown St. Petersburg next month.

“It was electrifying,” said Gorskie of the crowd. “It was a very amazing atmosphere and I cannot wait to play more games here. The area is amazing, everything is great. The organization is phenomenal and they have made me feel really at home here. I think that contributes to me being able to play well on the field as well.”

After two weekends off, one due to the early return of the club to the bay area due to the threat of Hurricane Irma, remaining in the win column was a focus for Tampa Bay after a 3-2 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Sept. 6 in its last outing.

What the Rowdies couldn’t have predicted was the manner which results around the rest of the top of the Eastern Conference fell their way on Saturday night. Thanks to the Charleston Battery’s late defeat at the other end of I-4 to Orlando City B, and the Rochester Rhinos’ loss to the Richmond Kickers, Tampa Bay now sits with the second-highest potential points total in the conference, and a chance at earning at least two home games when the playoffs arrive.

“It was absolutely huge,” said Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell. “Obviously, we spoke about before the importance of the three points we needed to get tonight. We haven’t played in two-and-a-half weeks and the results in the meantime were pretty favorable for us.”

With the rescheduled contest against Bethlehem Steel FC next up on Wednesday afternoon – forming the opening game of what is now a home-and-home series between the teams that concludes on Saturday night in St. Petersburg – the Rowdies are now in control of their fate as they drive toward the postseason.