Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla. — Oct. 24, 2026
The Sporting JAX men’s faced the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night in their final USL Championship match of the 2026 season, falling 2-0.
Early Energy
Tampa Bay recently clinched the Players’ Shield, awarded to the USL Championship team that earns the most points during the regular season. Despite the tough opponent, Sporting JAX created energy early in the first half. Within the first 10 minutes of the match, they had worked their way into the final third multiple times, creating pressure for the Tampa Bay backline.
Pairing with the attack was an incredible save by goalkeeper Jake McGuire in the 11th minute, when his outstretched hand denied the Rowdies of grabbing the opening goal.
“We tried to finish the season off strong, so we came out with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and I think our team chemistry was really good for those first 20-ish minutes,” McGuire said.
Looking Back and Ahead
Tampa Bay ultimately struck first in the 29th minute, later extending their lead late in the second half, winning 2-0. Saturday’s match officially wrapped up Sporting JAX’s inaugural season in the USL Championship, and while it wasn’t the result that Sporting JAX wanted to end on, the team learned valuable lessons all season.
“First years are always difficult in the Championship and new franchise, new people,” Fox said. “We’ve learnt a huge amount; it’s now time to reflect, look back, make sure we learn our lessons, and then we can start to look forward to next season with some optimism and off the back of these lessons we’ve learned.”
The 2026 campaign was a season full of firsts, and Sporting JAX thanks everyone who was a part of the historic year for the club. From the first month of the year all the way until late October, Fox and players alike further reflected on the season, and how it will help shape the team going forward.
“I think there’s loads of learnings to be taken from this full season, from our first day of preseason in January until now, which will stand us in good stead for next year,” Sporting JAX Head Coach Liam Fox said. “We have to be better in every aspect of the game, both with possession and without possession, and in the evolution of the club.”
“It’s been obviously not the season we wanted or expected, but [there were] a couple of good moments in there,” Sporting JAX captain Ryan Edwards said. “Hopefully the club builds on it now and going forward and come back stronger next year and come back fighting and hopefully be at the right end of the table.”
Fans are encouraged to be on the lookout for more details regarding next season and they can be a part of it!
