Loudoun United vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies 2021: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch USL Championship online

With a veteran USL side in town, it was hard to determine how Loudoun United would fare last week with Indy Eleven, but they wound up turning in their most comprehensive effort in some time with a 4-1 win, and coach Ryan Martin saw the team find their finishing legs for the first time, and it further reinforced the team has been better than the record indicates:

The good news is now they have another USL independent side in town, one they were able to play closely the first time the two played in 2021, less so the second time. Third time’s the charm against the Atlantic Division leaders?

Key player concept: Sequels, they’re good!

I’ve seen a bunch of movies in my time, and a bunch of them have been sequels, and generally, they borrow the ethos from the first film while trying to carve out some unique component in the second/third/fourth one to make it worth the time. In this case, the Rowdies are that component, but Loudoun should stick to the script; Ted Ku-DiPietro needs to replicate something close to the 44/50 passing, team-leading 6 created chances, and goal, Kimarni Smith should replicate winning 12/16 duels and creating 3 chances, Nicky Downs and Landry Houssou should replicate their 95/103 combined passing, 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a clearance.

In short, Loudoun should just be A Quiet Place II and things should be OK.

Location: Segra Field (Leesburg, VA)

Kickoff time: 7:00 pm Eastern

Projected Loudoun starting 11/who D.C. United is loaning: Well, I mentioned Smith already, and Michael DeShields was on the bench last week, so I imagine they return. The only mystery is whether Jacob Greene (who didn’t dress in D.C.’s Saturday loss to Atlanta United) comes down tonight, and I imagine he does and starts with a minute limit, thus spelling Robby Dambrot. Everything else should generally stay the same I think.

Starters: Jermaine Fordah; Hassan Pinto, Timmy Mehl, Alexxon Saravia; Kairou Amoustapha, Downs, Houssou, Greene; Ku-DiPietro; Smith, Sammy Sergi

Bench: Noah Abrams, DeShields, Dambrot, Giovanni Montesdeoca, Jackson Hopkins, Massimo Ferrin, Darluis Paz

Key Tampa player/former D.C. players: Sebastian Guenzatti

I highlighted Guenzatti when these two teams first played this year a couple of months back, and since then there’s little to change here. Guenzatti leads the Rowdies in goals (9), shots (45), is second in assists (2), and third in chances created (17). Loudoun is the second of three games in 10 days for the Rowdies so he may rotate out and be a bench option, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Referee: As of Sunday night, not yet listed.

Available Streaming: ESPN+ (click to subscribe to ESPN+, and your friends at B&RU get a little bit of cash!)

What are you drinking?: I’m a gameday decision, either tea at home or water at Segra.

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