Loudoun United had been missing their leading goalscorer (D.C. United loanee Jovanny Bolivar) for several games until his recall was made official this week, and had struggling for scoring goals, losing three in a row (with two shutouts). Loudoun faced a Tampa Bay Rowdies side who had not lost three in a row for more than three years, and the desperation in the Rowdies was visceral as they scored early and controlled the tone in a 2-0 win in front of 4,920 at Al Lang Stadium.
Loudoun saw the return of Michael DeShields to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games to injury.