It was supposed to come a week ago. The Lions entered the postseason prepared for Rowe to start the first match in the goal while starter Pedro Gallese completed his mandatory quarantine period after returning from national team matches with Peru.
The league, however, developed a plan to allow players on charter flights to be cleared to play without a lengthy quarantine because of their limited exposure to others. The hectic scramble saw Gallese back in Orlando and in goal in time for the first match of the postseason.
On Saturday, it seemed Rowe’s chance had come again when Gallese was ejected via a second yellow card during the penalty shootout against New York City FC.