Rowdies vs. Golden Knights: What to watch for

Posted Mar 26, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Mar 26, 2010 at 12:37 PM

What to keep an eye on when the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies face the University of Central Florida tonight in their fourth preseason game at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.

1. Attacking third: The strategic focus in practice this week has been on passing and movement in the final third of the field, with an emphasis on spacing and body position. In the past two weeks of practice the strategic elements that were worked on leading up to the matches against FC Dallas and the Philadelphia Union were executed well in their respective games. Will the same happen tonight?

2. Midfield shuffle: With the departure of Jason Beardsley, and Jeremy Christie becoming the apparent first-choice right back as a result, it would appear that leaves two spots available as a holding midfielder for three players: Takuya Yamada, Chad Burt and Stanley Nyazamba. The competition for which players fill the three attacking midfield roles, though, is going to be strong all the way up to opening day, with six players battling for three spots. Who will start there tonight, and who will impress to give themselves a leg up on the starting position when the season starts?

3. Central defense: With Yendry Diaz back from a groin strain that forced him to sit out last week’s game against Philadelphia, Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish has a full complement of center backs to select from tonight. From an outsider’s perspective, it appears as though Julian Valentin is going to be one of the two starting center backs when the season starts. The question is who, from Diaz, Graham Tatters and Joe Donoho, fills the other spot?

Can’t get to tonight’s preseason game? For live updates, follow the Rowdies Report at http://www.twitter.com/tbo_rowdies.