1. Despite failing to score on several opportunities, the Rowdies showed offensive potential, especially considering three key players — Mike Ambersley, Carl Cort, and Shane Hill — were sitting in the press box suite due to injuries (Ambersley and Cort) or league suspension (Hill). According to Rowdies coach Ricky Hill, Ambersley has an MCL sprain in his right knee and will most likely miss the next two games. Cort is still dealing with a torn calf muscle and will miss at least two to three weeks according to Hill. Hill had to sit out against Carolina due to a red card violation in the playoffs last year, but he will be available this weekend. New additions Amani Walker and Devin Del Do made a case for themselves moving forward as either starters or key substitutes, but it's clear the team needs Ambersley and Cort up front. The Rowdies don't want to repeat last season's start when they won just three of their first 11 NASL regular season contests. It clearly took a while for them to find their identity last season and they more than made up for it in the second half on their way to an epic run to the playoffs. But doing so in consecutive years would be quite a task, especially if Ambersely and Cort are gone for a considerable amount of time.
"When those players have been on the side previously, we play a more controlled brand of football in and around the final third," Coach Hill said. "I think they're a little more well-versed than Amani or Devin at this moment in time through experience and understanding in terms of that precision around the box. Devin and Amani will get that and it's something they will continue to develop. From the past seasons, Mike has always brought the goals, but also clever football and the ability to attract three or four players to him and then make the right pass."
2. Coach Hill was pleased with a clean slate against the RailHawks, but he obviously would like to see points on the other side of the pitch. He praised goalkeeper Andrew Fontein, who made his first professional start after playing behind Jeff Attinella last season.
"That was the most pleasing part of tonight was that Andrew was able to secure a shutout and from a defensive perspect, I was very happy," Hill said. "Overall, I'm happy we didn't get mugged, but I'm disappointed we weren't able to capitalize on any opportunities we created. Offensively, with a little more composure, we might have opened them up."
The Rowdies outshot the RailHawks 17-6, but Fontein made several key moves from the goalmouth off corner kicks and crosses to make fans feel comfortable as he tries to match the outstanding play of Attinella last year.
"What I admired the most about Jeff was his composure and I hope some of that rubbed off on me," Fontein said. "He made the tough things seem easy and he kept a cool head in tough situations."
3. Attinella, who is third in line for Real Salt Lake of the MLS, made a surprise appearance at the game last Saturday.
"He just showed up out of the blue," Fontein said. "It was pretty cool."
4. After playing on turf at San Antonio's old stadium over the past two seasons, the Rowdies are looking forward to playing on the grass pitch of Toyota Field.
"It's going to be nice to feel grass beneath our feet," Rowdies midfielder Luke Mulholland said. "Last year, San Antonio beat us three of four times last year. The most important thing is to be compact, starting with the forwards. Don't concede early, like we did last year."
5. The Scorpions finished as NASL regular season champs last year, posting a 13-8-7 (W-T-L) overall record while leading the league with 46 goals. The Rowdies can take solace in the fact that Pablo Campos has moved on to Minnesota after Campos tallied a league-high 20 goals last year. In addition, the Scorpions have lost 2012 NASL Golden Glove winner Daryl Sattler, who also joined Minnesota.
Hill used motivation from last season's teaching points to help with the beginning of this year. Hill routinely wrote key things to remember on a board throughout last year and, after the Rowdies struggled to have good first-half play in the 2013 preseason contests, Hill decided to pull out the board before last Saturday's match.
"The key was it was the best start we've had so far this season," Hill said. "That's still relevant. All different points, quick start, earn the right to play, communication, anticipation, secure the ball, execute correctly, play simply, play as a team. I thought it was necessary to remind them what made us successful last year."
Tampa Bay Rowdies at San Antonio Scorpions, 2013 NASL Spring Season, Sat., April 13, at 8:30 p.m., Toyota Field (5106 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio, TX 78233). The match can be seen live via NASL on Ustream. Live updates on Twitter at @RowdiesSoccer. The Rowdies' next home game will be against Atlanta Silverbacks on Sat., April 20, at 7:30 p.m., Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, 813-287-1539, [email protected].
