While the League is currently on an international break, Columbus Crew SC hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University. Prior to 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, here are three things to know about Tampa Bay.
Who are the Rowdies?
Wednesday’s clash between Tampa Bay and the Black & Gold will mark the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides. The Rowdies are a member of the North American Soccer League (NASL), and currently sit in third place of the league’s spring standings. Tampa Bay defeated FC Cincinnati 1-0 on June 1 in the Third Round of the competition on a goal by striker Georgi Hristov.
Notable Names
Tampa Bay’s roster features a number of former MLS players, along with two big names in the world of soccer: former MLS/United States international Freddy Adu and former Barclays Premier Leaguer Joe Cole. Adu joined the Rowdies in 2015, but has yet to make an appearance in 2016, while Cole joined the club in 2016 and has registered one goal and two assists in four games.
Familiar Faces
Two former members of the Black & Gold now reside on the Tampa Bay roster, forward Tom Heinemann and defender Ben Sweat. Heinemann joined Crew SC in 2011, notching three goals in 29 regular-season appearances, while Sweat was drafted 14th overall by the Black & Gold in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft but never made a regular-season appearance. Both players have combined to make 12 appearances for the Rowdies in 2016, with Heinemann netting two goals.
