Rowdies defense to be tested by Aztex

Posted Aug 4, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Aug 4, 2010 at 01:47 PM

As they travel to face Austin this Saturday, the biggest challenge that will face the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies will come from the Aztex’s potent attack that has scored 33 goals in 18 games this season.

The Rowdies have come away with a point in each of their first two meetings with Austin, but have conceded five goals over the two games including three to leading scorer Eddie Johnson. Coach Paul Dalglish, though, thinks the side is equipped to handle the way the Aztex play and has a chance to make a statement as it pursues a playoff position.

“I just think this is where you prove yourself against the better teams in the league and that’s what we’re certainly going to try and do,” Dalglish said. “It will be a good challenge for us, but it is probably the most difficult place to go in the league at the moment.”

The biggest test for the Rowdies defense will be of their patience. With the way the Aztex’s forwards link together in the attacking third, making sure they only engage in challenges they will win is something that is at the forefront of the player’s minds, but center back Rob Valentino believes that the side has improved on that facet of the game as the season has gone on.

“I think in the beginning of the season we were still learning some things defensively, me as well,” Valentino said. “Learning how to play conservative more, because you can’t win every ball. I think if we challenge what we can win, and when we can’t just drop back and sit in and keep them in front, if we keep them in front (of us), we shouldn’t have any problems.”

Austin has been a tough place to play, but the Aztex haven’t been invincible at home this season. In fact, both of Austin’s defeats, against Rochester on April 25 and Vancouver on June 12, have come at House Park.

“We’ve just got to try and exploit their weaknesses,” Dalglish said. “We’re going to have our work cut out, but we have great confidence in the squad of players that we’ve got.”