PREVIEW | Fury FC Aims To Continue Strong Home Form Against The Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies arrive in Ottawa looking to turn around a disappointing Fall Season. After finishing one point shy of the Spring Season title, the Rowdies are currently last in the Fall Season, though they still hold a spot in The Championship if the season were to end today.

Stuart Campbell was announced as head coach of the Rowdies on Wednesday. Campbell joined the Rowdies as a player in 2012 and had been an assistant coach since 2013. Campbell’s first match ended in a 3-1 loss to Minnesota United, though he only took control of the squad the day before and it was Tampa Bay’s third match in eight days. This match marks Campbell’s first match with a regular week of preparation.

Brazilian forward Maicon Santos leads the team with seven goals this season and Bulgarian midfielder Georgi Hristov has an NASL-high eight assists.

Fury FC played to a 0-0 draw Wednesday night at home against the New York Cosmos. In a clash of the top two teams in the NASL, 6,042 fans watched Ottawa hold onto first place in the Fall Standings with 20 points.

After a disappointing Spring Season, in which Fury FC finished in ninth place with 11 points, Ottawa has been the premier team in the Fall Season. Ottawa had a 12-match unbeaten streak snapped August 15 with a 2-1 loss to Minnesota United. Prior to that, Ottawa had won five consecutive matches.

Tom Heinemann leads the team with four goals on the season, but the Rowdies will have to beware of Richie Ryan as well. Ryan has scored a couple of spectacular free kicks this Fall.