Match Preview: NYRB II Host Tampa Bay in Home Opener

Kilwien vs. CHS

HARRISON, N.J. (March 5, 2019) - New York Red Bulls II host the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their first match of the 2020 USL Championship season. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET at MSU Soccer Park with coverage available on ESPN+. 


NYRB II will be entering their sixth season in the USL Championship and will be looking to make it six straight seasons with a playoff berth. NYRB II finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last season with an overall record of 17-11-6 (57 pts.). The club was knocked out of the playoffs by Indy Eleven in the quarterfinals.


The last time these two sides met, NYRB II defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-0, on July 26. NYRB II forward Mathias Jørgensen recorded a first half brace to lift the club to victory. NYRB II hold a 4-2-1 record all-time against the Rowdies including 3-0-0 at home.


The Tampa Bay Rowdies finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-8-10 (58 pts.). The club suffered an early exit from the USL Championship playoffs in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals falling to Louisville City FC.


Following Saturday’s match, NYRB II will be back home, when they face Hartford Athletic on March 13, with kick-off set for 7 p.m. ET.