skip navigation

Rowdies’ Curinga Relishing Clash with Monarchs

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/20/18, 3:28PM EDT

Share

Defender made 27 appearances for Real prior to offseason move to Al Lang Stadium


Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – When the 2018 USL schedule was announced it didn’t take long for Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Kyle Curinga to circle Saturday night’s game against his former club, Real Monarchs SLC.

One of the few interconference matchups on the schedule this season, the two contenders square off on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET | Match Center) with Curinga set to make his regular-season debut for the Rowdies.

A native of Clearwater, Fla., the 24-year-old will get the call into the lineup for the first time after it was announced on Friday that teammate David Najem had suffered a torn ACL in last weekend’s loss to the New York Red Bulls II. While Curinga was clearly disappointed for Najem, he’s looking forward to squaring off against his former teammates.

“I knew at the beginning of the year we would be playing these guys, and I was really looking forward to it,” said Curinga. “It’s going to be interesting seeing all the guys this week and this weekend. I’m grateful to get an opportunity, gutted for Naj, but that happens in sports sometimes.”

With the USL’s conference and regular-season structure, the number of interconference games between sides is always limited, but the Rowdies will be facing a Western Conference opponent for the second time in as many years after last season’s trip to face San Antonio FC at Toyota Field. The game is an intriguing one considering the position each team holds in its respective conference, with the Monarchs on a perfect 4-0-0 start to the season in defense of the 2017 USL Regular Season Championship and the Rowdies considered among the leading candidates to win the Eastern Conference this year.

Given the caliber of opponent arriving to face his side, Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell is looking forward to one of the high-points of the regular season for the club.

“It’s a unique experience for us,” said Campbell. “It’s the only time we’ll come up against them in the regular season, so it’s a game we’re really looking forward to. They've got a good team, got some really good players, so it's going to be a really tough game for us.”


Kyle Curinga was part of Real Monarchs SLC's USL Regular Season Championship-winning side in 2017, but will face his former team on Saturday. | Photo courtesy Darren Abate / San Antonio FC

Curinga made 27 appearances for the Monarchs a season ago before returning to the Tampa Bay region this offseason to join the Rowdies. While he has yet to see action in the regular season so far, the camaraderie within the squad has kept Curinga in good spirits as he’s waited for his chance for action.

“The team is full of professionals, full of friends, so whether you do something good, do something bad, people are behind you in a positive way, making sure you keep those good vibes up and you keep going and keep positive in yourself,” said Curinga.

After last week’s defeat at Red Bull Arena, Curinga is aiming to help the side make it three wins from three on home turf this season and put one over on his former side.

“This is our house,” said Curinga. “We’ve got a great record here and we’re going to look to continue that on Saturday. The fans are going to be what pushes us, and I think we’ll have a good Saturday.”

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos