Tonight, FC Tampa Bay will finish their pre-season schedule of six games spread across the state over the past five weeks. FCTB will travel to the University of South Florida Soccer Complex to take on USF's spring squad. Prior to the game, a youth soccer clinic will take place for children ages 7-13, with proceeds going to benefit the USF Men's Soccer program.
FCTB enters the final week of pre-season with 19 players under contract after the additions of defender Omar Jarun and forwards Matt Clare and Warren Ukah. The backline, solid throughout the training period, picks up the 6'6" Jarun to supplement at centerback. The Palestinian international showed surprising poise for only training with the team for a few days during Wednesday's rain-shortened game against St. Leo.
The offense, plagued by an absence of timing and fluidity between the midfield and striker, will attempt to sync themselves before next week's season opener against Montreal. Aaron King and Mike Ambersley will try to time their runs to link up easier, in search of a spark the team lacked throughout last season.
The game begins at 7 PM, tickets are $7. USF Students get in free.