Open Cup Preview: Rowdies vs Birmingham

May 7, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release

The Tampa Bay Rowdies enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this Wednesday in a matchup with fellow USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC. It’s the first of two bouts between Tampa Bay and Birmingham this week, as the two clubs are also set to face off in league play at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday evening.

“I think it’s great competition,” said Rowdies forward Cal Jennings. “We’ve got a tough opponent coming up in Birmingham. There’s a lot on the line. I would say there’s a great opportunity for us to advance through the tournament this year and make history… but first and foremost we’ve gotta focus on Wednesday and get one over a team that got the better of us last time.”

Birmingham earned a spot in the Round of 32 by knocking off USL League One’s Chattanooga Redwolves SC with a 4-2 result in extratime. The Rowdies earned placement straight into the Round of 32 based on their finish as one of the top teams in last year’s USL Championship regular season standings. The winner of Wednesday’s match will earn a spot in the Round of 16 against the winner between Memphis 901 FC and MLS’ FC Dallas. Should the Rowdies advance, they would host in the Round of 16 no matter who the opponent is.

“Every game is important, to be honest with you,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “I think this is an opportunity for our team to continue to grow, progress, hopefully get to a final and win a trophy. If we can make it through this one, depending on how the Memphis and Dallas match goes, we could potentially get an MLS team, which would be great for us. So Wednesday’s game is very important for us.”

Series History

Tampa Bay and Birmingham have faced off quite a bit as Eastern Conference foes in the USL Championship over the last five seasons. They have also become accustomed to facing each other in a single-elimination setting. The two sides have met in the USL Championship playoffs in three of the last four seasons. The Rowdies have won two of those playoff meetings, with Birmingham claiming the most recent victory in last year’s playoffs.

“Knockout games are exciting,” said Jennings. “There is a little more on the line. You know that every moment matters. If you lose this game, you know it’s not just ‘go out and get the next one.’ If you lose, you’re out. There’s definitely some pressure there, but I think you can ask anyone in any league, and they’ll say they like the pressure….