What to watch for: Rowdies at NSC Minnesota

Posted Jul 10, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 10, 2010 at 01:00 PM

What to watch for when the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies face the NSC Minnesota Stars on Saturday night at 8 p.m.

1. NEW ARRIVAL: New arrival on loan from the Colorado Rapids Andre Akpan has looked good in practice since he joined the squad earlier in the week. It will be interesting to see how that translates to the playing field against Minnesota.

While Akpan doesn’t have Aaron Wheeler’s height, should he start tonight, as it appears he will, he could prove to be a more physical presence for the Rowdies up front. Akpan isn’t just a powerful forward, though, and the touch he has shown around the penalty area should allow the team to play off him and create some quick passing movement. If that comes to pass, it could open up good opportunities not only for Akpan but also his new teammates.

2. PUSHING UP: While they employed a more triangular midfield holding possession in the center of the field, the Rowdies still tried to get the ball wide in attacking positions against Miami last Sunday. What allowed this was the way both full backs pushed forward to support their respective wingers, and the Rowdies should pursue this strategy even more tonight.

Against the Blues, Takuya Yamada in particular did well joining the attack and combining with Pascal Millien to open up space down the right side. Watch for Yamada, who could slot in at left back tonight with the absence of Gordon Kljestan, to try and push up and find space in wide positions for the midfield to play him in and provide service into the penalty area.

3. GROWING UP FAST: With injuries to some of the more experienced members of the Rowdies squad, the performance from some of the squad’s younger players was impressive against Miami as they passed the ball well and showed a good level of patience to try and break the Miami defense down.

The question now is whether those players can replicate that level of performance week-in and week-out. The Stars will probably apply more high pressure to the Rowdies midfield than Miami did a week ago, which means the passing and movement into space from the team will need to be sharp. Without the guidance of Jeremy Christie, the Rowdies midfield in particular will have to show a maturity beyond its years if it is to come away with the victory it is looking for.