Rowdies Continue to Struggle in Search of Form

Disappointment at Al Lang Stadium

ST. PETERSBURG — After three disjointed performances to begin the season, the Rowdies have been hoping to lastly discover a rhythm Saturday night time towards Birmingham at Al Lang Stadium. The search continues to be on. Using 10 gamers who weren’t on final season’s roster and with out 2022 USL Championship MVP Leo Fernandes (out for the season with an Achilles harm), the Rowdies once more appeared out of sync in a 2-0 loss that dropped their document to 0-2-2.

Defensive Struggles

“When we’re conceding the objectives the best way we’re conceding them, now we have no probability of profitable video games, particularly towards a top quality opposition with high quality gamers,” stated coach Neill Collins. “We conceded two objectives on schoolboy errors on our half.” Both objectives have been scored by Neco Brett, the primary on a header within the fifth minute of first-half harm time and the second within the 83rd minute on a bullet from the middle of the field to the web’s backside proper nook.

Offensive Struggles

The Rowdies struggled offensively, failing to rating for the second straight recreation whereas scoring just one objective every within the season’s first two video games, one thing new to them after main the league final yr with 73 objectives. One of the Rowdies who got here into this season with a few of the highest expectations, new ahead Cal Jennings, continued to wrestle in scoring conditions, although his alternatives have been usually match into the tight, hard-fought areas of Birmingham’s protection.

Positive Outlook

Jennings, nevertheless, stated he and the group stay optimistic. “We’re annoyed with how this early season has gone,” he stated. “But … it’s nonetheless early season, and we’re nonetheless attempting to discover our id. What are the 2023 Rowdies going to find yourself being? I believe the expectations are nonetheless excessive. We want to begin profitable and getting outcomes, and I nonetheless assume we’re going to try this. I stay optimistic.”

Encouraging Signs Amidst the Struggles

The Rowdies did do some encouraging issues, together with profitable the possession battle (65.4% to 34.6%) and accumulating yet one more shot than Birmingham (12-11). Tampa Bay, nevertheless, had zero photographs on the right track to Birmingham’s seven.

Struggles in Front of Goal

One of the perfect scoring possibilities for Jennings got here within the twenty second minute, when he rifled a shot from shut vary however proper into the fingers of Birmingham’s goalkeeper.

Looking Ahead

“We have been off (Saturday), sure, and there are a number of causes for that,” Collins stated. “Not excuses however causes. The individuals in that locker room are going to change it, from workers to gamers. As you see, now we have a number of issues to resolve. We’ve been in robust spots earlier than, and we’ve solved them. We will do the identical this time.” The loss to Birmingham (3-0-1) marks the second straight week the Rowdies have been shut out.

In Search of Answers

“There are much more questions for me proper now than solutions,” Collins stated. “But I really feel sure we are going to discover these solutions.”

Conclusion

Despite the early-season struggles, the Rowdies stay decided to flip their fortunes round and discover their rhythm. With key gamers lacking and new faces on the squad, it might take time for the group to gel and discover their id on the sector. The teaching workers and gamers are working arduous to handle their points and get again to profitable methods.

FAQs

1. Will Leo Fernandes’ absence proceed to impression the group?

Leo Fernandes’ absence is a big loss for the Rowdies, however the group is adapting to taking part in with out him. They are trying to different gamers to step up and fill the void left by the absence of the 2022 USL Championship MVP.

2. What are the primary areas the Rowdies want to enhance on?

The Rowdies want to work on their defensive group to forestall conceding objectives on easy errors. Offensively, they want to create extra alternatives and be scientific in entrance of objective to convert possibilities into objectives.

3. Is there optimism throughout the group regardless of the sluggish begin?

Despite the sluggish begin to the season, there’s optimism throughout the group. Players like Cal Jennings stay optimistic and consider that the group will flip issues round as they proceed to work on discovering their rhythm and id on the sector.