ST. PETERSBURG – After a successful start to the 2021 season the Tampa Bay Rowdies will welcome the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to Al Lang Stadium for the visitors first match of the season.
As usual for the Riverhounds they are strong defensively, giving up just 12 goals in the season, less than one goal a match (0.8). That came on the back of strong tackling as they managed a 65.1 percent success on the tackles. The Rowdies will be able to match that based on last week’s showing where they managed a 75 percent success rate.
One thing to be mindful of is drawing PGH in to a penalty, the club gave away four of them in a the condensed season last year so some smart play from Tampa Bay could well draw a spot kick to capitalize on.
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Passing was also accurate from the Riverhounds, managing a 77 percent success rate last season, the Rowdies managed 81.7 percent last week. It will clearly be a difficult battle for possession as both teams enjoy holding the ball.
What is notable in the distribution statistics is how Pittsburgh really drops off in the attacking half. While a drop-off is normal the Hounds go from 86.3 percent to 69.3 percent. That’s not as big an issue for their opponents which managed 66.7 percent accuracy in the opposition half against Charlotte last week.
Tampa Bay will be able to defend by packing the box, the Riverhounds only scored four of their 39 goals last season from distance. That highlights a patient build-up, that the Rowdies would be best served breaking up in midfield.
It’s going to be a tougher match than last week, and there will be some improvements needed but there are certainly some areas that Neill Collins can have his team exploit for a second straight victory.
Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Florida Soccer Report 