The Rapids fielded a full-strength side against the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and the tactic worked to full effect, as they came away with a 3-1 victory.
Tampa Bay Rowdies
2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Tampa Bay Rowdies score early, often, defeat Jacksonville United 3-0
After an hour-long lightning delay, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Jacksonville United FC kicked off in what was sure to be an exciting Floridian affair in the Second Round of the 2012 US Open Cup. However, the Rowdies made sure not to give Jacksonville the opportunity to pull off an upset, scoring early and often. Tampa Bay finished out winning the match 3-0.
USSF: NASL teams will not be eligible for 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Five of the eight teams in the NASL — Carolina RailHawks, FC Tampa Bay Rowdies, Atlanta Silverbacks, NSC Minnesota Stars and Miami FC — will not participate due to the fact that a change to the Open Cup format at this stage of planning would be difficult.
2010 US Open Cup Second Round: Miami FC wins Floridian battle over Rowdies 2-1 in extra time
Miami FC defeated their in-state rivals FC Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 in extra time to advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup, where they will travel to play the Houston Dynamo of MLS.