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Rowdies 'hungry' to start fall season

 
The Rowdies, who played three of their last four Spring games at Al Lang, winning all three, start off the Fall with a similar stretch. [LARA CERRI | Times]
The Rowdies, who played three of their last four Spring games at Al Lang, winning all three, start off the Fall with a similar stretch. [LARA CERRI | Times]
Published July 4, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies hope to pick up where they left off.

The NASL's fall season starts tonight with the Rowdies hosting their customary July 4 contest, this one against Atlanta at Al Lang Stadium.

The Rowdies ended their spring season against Atlanta, subduing the Silverbacks 3-0 three weeks ago.

"We had a pretty good first season, keeping in mind it's a team with so very many new players," midfielder Georgi Hristov said. "Usually you need more time to come together. But we needed the break, and now we get back, more hungry."

The Rowdies fell one point short of New York for the spring season title and an automatic spot in the four-team postseason. The champion of the 20-game fall season, in which all teams square off twice as opposed to the 10-match spring setup, is also guaranteed a postseason berth. The other two spots go to the clubs with the best overall point totals, and in that respect, the Rowdies sit five points clear of every team but New York.

The Rowdies stayed in form over the break by playing other sports.

"Our offseason training program involved basketball, swimming and tennis. And they all came back in great shape," coach Thomas Rongen said. "Their fitness was better than their marks from preseason."

Tampa Bay did get back on the field Monday for a scrimmage, losing to the Haitian national team 4-2 in overtime.

Rongen said the players needed time to decompress after having an early jump on training. Tampa Bay's preseason included a trek to Portugal.

The Rowdies' depth is being tested by injuries, some major (midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, starting defender Gale Agbossoumonde), some not (forward Robert Hernandez, midfielder Martin Nunez and defender Ben Sweat).

In the last meeting with Atlanta, Rongen had the luxury to use Hristov, last year's points leader (nine goals), off the bench. Hristov picked up his first 2015 goal on a late penalty kick.

"We're very deep," Hristov said. "Anyone can start. And we have so many great characters on this team. You can't be happy if you start the game on the bench, but there are no angry faces when it happens. It's all about the team."

Tonight's game is sold out and the first chance for Rongen to experience the Rowdies' fireworks show. "It's a sellout, the atmosphere will be great," he said. "The players are looking forward to it."