Joe Cole tries to fight off USF's Kori Cupid./STEVEN MUNCIE
Saturday, 1 a.m.
The season might as well start. The Tampa Bay Rowdies seem prepared enough.
The Rowdies won their final preseason game Friday night, beating the USF Bulls 5-2. It was Tampa Bay's second straight win and evened their preseason record at 2-2
The Rowdies open their season next Saturday night (March 17) against North Carolina FC.
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Marcel Schäfer moves the ball downfield./STEVEN MUNCIE
"I was very pleased with the performance tonight," said coach Stuart Campbell. "We've had a strong preseason and it has prepared us well for the upcoming 2018 season. I am looking forward to next Saturday and kicking off the season against North Carolina."
Rowdies' coach Stuart Campbell is ready for the season../STEVEN MUNCIE
The Rowdies got goals from Joe Cole, Michael Nanchoff, Leo Fernandez, Georgi Hristov and Jochen Graf.
USF scored on goals by Trey Jackson and Tomasz Skublak.
"We were a bit disappointed giving up the quick equalizer," said Campbell. "We spoke about it at the half and I told the guys we needed to react and that's exactly what they did.
"After giving up the first goal, I wanted to make sure we reacted and it was important to see it happen. We were a very strong team the full 90 minutes, with their keepers making several great saves to keep them in the match. Despite that, we were able to come out with the win."
Leo Fernandes is surrounded by USF defenders ./STEVEN MUNCIE
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