It’s Round 4 of Hounds vs. Rowdies, but could there be a Round 5 next month?
With that potential playoff matchup in mind, both the Hounds and Rowdies are likely to want a result from Sunday’s matchup, as the winner will claim bragging rights — and a potential psychological edge going forward — after a 1-1-1 record for both sides through the first three this season.
The Rowdies are virtually assured of winning the Atlantic Division at this point, while the Hounds’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot sits at two points with four games remaining.
So what will it take for the Hounds to snap the Rowdies’ league-best nine-game win streak? These 3 Things could play a big part.
1.) Road strategy or home tactics?
Often in soccer, the idea is that teams will bunker down on the road and be happy with a draw, while a win is the expectation at home.
Tactically, however, the Hounds came out with an attacking, pressing attitude in their second road match at Tampa Bay, stealing a 2-1 win after an ineffective 3-0 loss in the season opener. Oddly enough, both teams then seemed content with the 0-0 draw in the last meeting in Pittsburgh, as neither side was keen on taking too many risks.
That begs the question, which tactics will Bob Lilley and Neill Collins employ? Will the Rowdies be fine with a draw, or will they push to run their win streak to 10? Will the Hounds want to clinch on home turf, or will they try to shore up a back line that has allowed three goals in each of the past two games?
The team sheet could be an indicator at how each team will approach the match, but the real reveal on strategy won’t come until the opening whistle.
2.) Break up the back three
Tampa Bay’s back three has been remarkably fit and disciplined all season, as Jordan Scarlett, Forrest Lasso and Aaron Guillen have started every match together and allowed just 19 goals.
The Hounds have been one of just two teams to break the group up, as their attacking mindset in the second match at Tampa Bay resulted in a 1-0 halftime lead and Lasso being pulled at the break to protect him after already being booked and shift the Rowdies into attack mode.
As dominant as the Rowdies’ back line has been, the winning solution for the Hounds was to go at them, get behind them, and make them work facing their own goal. Now it’s on Russell Cicerone and Alex Dixon to get that job done again.
3.) Stay with the hot boot
Rowdies striker Sebastián Guenzatti is the hottest scorer in the league at the moment, as his recent goal blitz has lifted him to second in the USL Championship with 19 goals.
Guenzatti is adept at finding gaps in defenses to get behind them, and that movement will put lots of pressure on the Hounds, especially if they opt to go with a back four as they have in previous meetings with the Rowdies.
Mekeil Williams and Jelani Peters, the likely center back pairing, will need to keep their heads on a swivel and track the Uruguayan, as the missed marking that has hurt the team in the past few matches will certainly be punished in this one.
