Leading up to this midweek encounter, the USL promoted the match as a battle between Kenardo Forbes and Joe Cole, the midfield maestros for their respective sides. While Cole watched the game from his couch in Florida, Forbes was active and effective for Rochester throughout the match playing in a more advanced position.
While Tampa Bay’s former EPL Champion sat out of the team’s trip to Western New York, Cole’s replacement in the center of the park was no slouch. Michael Nanchoff, who usually plays on the wing when Cole is available, was pulling the strings for the Rowdies.