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Rowdies hope to match last season’s home dominance

 
The Tampa Bay Rowdies' Joe Cole kicks the ball just past Charleston Battery goalie Odisnel Cooper (23) for a goal last season.  (Chris Urso, Times)
The Tampa Bay Rowdies' Joe Cole kicks the ball just past Charleston Battery goalie Odisnel Cooper (23) for a goal last season. (Chris Urso, Times)
Published March 23, 2018|Updated March 24, 2018

ST. PETERSBURG — It will be hard to expect the Rowdies to top their home performance from last season, but that's exactly what captain Joe Cole has in mind.

"We lost one game here last year. And we want to improve on that," Cole said Friday. "No secret what our aims are."

Tampa Bay won't be able to ease into those efforts. Saturday's home-opener foe, Bethlehem Steel, is coming off a 4-1 victory and likely will have some players on loan from MLS Philadelphia, which is on a bye.

But the Rowdies had a pretty smart opener as well, coming away with a 3-1 victory at North Carolina FC. Last year Tampa Bay nabbed just three wins in 16 road contests.

"It was absolutely crucial," coach Stuart Campbell said. "It was very important to go there and get the win, but not just the result … the performance, I thought, was absolutely excellent by the players."

Three different Rowdies scored, with midfielder Leo Fernandes putting together a 50-yard run in the 23rd minute. North Carolina leveled the match but Georgi Hristov converted a penalty kick right before halftime, the foul drawn by new member of the team, 25-year-old defender David Najem.

Beginning his second stint with the Rowdies, goalkeeper Cody Mizell made two outstanding reflex saves in a three-minute span to keep it 2-1. And another newcomer, 23-year-old midfielder Jack Blake, produced a blazer from outside the penalty in the closing moments.

"One of the things we reflected on, we wanted to go a little bit younger regarding the players that we brought in," Campbell said. "We wanted to try and introduce a little bit more speed to the team and I think we've definitely done that."

On their goals, both Fernandes and Blake created 5 yards of space for themselves, utilizing their pace. Blake was named to the USL Team of the Week. Hristov's strike has him three shy of Derek Smethurst's Rowdies' career record of 57 goals.

Bethlehem coach Brendan Burke was impressed.

"The quality of their individual players is excellent, probably at or near the top of the league in terms of experience but also quality, and it really flows through their whole team," Burke told the Steel's website.

The Steel was impressive also, with Brandon Allen scoring two second-half goals in his team debut.

"We have to respect Bethlehem," Cole said. "They came here and drew with us last year (1-1). Good side, with a lot of good players in the forward positions. (But) we'd like to think we can score goals. We're confident we're gonna win the game."

The clubs also drew (2-2) in Pennsylvania last season. Bethlehem got into the playoffs as the eighth-seeded team in the USL's Eastern Conference, but lost to eventual league champ Louisville 4-0 in the first round.

Tampa Bay won its conference quarterfinal, then dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to New York Red Bulls II in the semis, marking just the second defeat at Al Lang. The regular-season mark was 11-1-4.

"I don't think it was a coincidence why we had such a good home record last year," Campbell said. "It's a great venue to play in, and the Rowdies fans are a very knowledgeable set of supporters. They help us out tremendously."

Tampa Bay was among league leaders in attendance, drawing more than 5,300 per match. Fans will no doubt notice a sparkling new addition: the 120-yard long LED advertising board that stretches along the south sideline.

Cole, 36, returns for a third season in green and yellow expecting to reward the fans with a USL Cup.

"As a soccer player, a competitor, you want to win things. I want to be lifting the trophy this season," he said. "It's a good, hardcore set of fans that's growing every year. The kids love coming here, it's a real family-friendly atmosphere, and everyone I know absolutely loves it, so hopefully we pack the stadium this year, get some wins, and win the championship. It would be great for downtown St. Pete."

Rowdies vs Bethlehem Steel FC
7:30 Saturday, Al Lang Stadium