The Philadelphia Union take on North American Soccer League side the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday night.

The match is part of the newly created Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, not be confused with the Suncoast Pro Classic, the Bradenton, Florida based preseason tournament that the Union won last season. The Union have already played one match as part of the tournament, a 1-1 draw with DC United on February 17th which featured goals from Sebastian Le Toux, and a penalty from DC's Fabian Espindola.  

The tournament features hosts Tampa Bay Rowdies as well as Major League Soccer sides Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC. Philadelphia will take on New York and Toronto later in the tournament.

History Repeats Itself?

Philadelphia have played hosts Tampa Bay on two occasions, including a 1-0 preseason loss at Joe DiMaggio Complex in Clearwater, Florida courtesy of a Corey Hertzog penalty. The first occasion however was against the Rowdies' previous incarnation, FC Tampa Bay in 2010 at Pepin Stadium in Tampa, Florida courtesy of from future Union player, Aaron Wheeler who would match his all-time total for the Union in this very game.  

Who to watch out for

Tampa Bay finished second in NASL's spring season but finishing 5th overall, just missing out on the playoffs. Their squad features an assortment of former MLS players including former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens who garnered seven clean sheets for Tampa Bay last season, recently released New England Revolution defender Jeremy Hall, former Columbus Crew duo Ben Sweat and Tom Heinemann who finished the season with a team high eight goals, former Portland Timbers wingers Michael Nanchoff and Kalif Alhassan, and marks the return of former Union pair Freddy Adu and Danny Mwanga.

Of these players, Alhassan has impressed most at the NASL level having while former wonder kid Freddy Adu has also regained some of his form following a good spell of fitness with the Rowdies. Also notably Tampa Bay forward/midfielder Georgi Hristov finished top of the assists table with nine in NASL last season.

As for the Union, Leo Fernandes will be most familiar with the Rowdies having playing against them for the New York Cosmos last season, however; newly acquired midfielders Fabian Herbers and Chris Pontius have impressed the most in preseason and coaches and fans alike will be itching to see more of Brazilian trialist Ilsinho. 

The match should prove a good test for the Union ahead of the start of the regular season and kicks off at 7pm EST.