But playing their first home game of the national league season does not hurt.
After three rounds, Southern United are finally at home when they host a strong Canterbury United Pride team at Logan Park Turf tomorrow.
"It’s the derby match — a good old fashioned Canterbury-Otago game," Southern United head coach Kris Ridley said.
"We’re really pumped to be able to play at home.
"Hopefully it’s a nice day and there’s plenty of people there."
Southern United have only played two games this season, due to their round two game against Central being postponed after extreme weather.
The team still held an intense training session that weekend to prepare for last week’s game against Western Springs.
They walked away with a 2-1 loss in Auckland, where Shontelle Smith scored a screamer in the eighth minute.
Southern United did get a point from their opening 0-0 draw against Eastern Suburbs.
They have been missing some scoring prowess without striker Amy Hislop, a weapon up front last season, who has been out with injury and will not play tomorrow either.
Canterbury has plenty of scoring power.
They won 4-1 against Phoenix Reserves, drew 1-1 against Wellington United and toppled West Coast Rangers 4-3 in the 97th minute last week.
They are also home to former Southern United player Margi Dias, who was a key cog for the Dunedin-based team last season.
Ridley said his side would need to combat Canterbury’s game where they liked to play narrow, and that Southern United needed to score goals to get going.
"We’re confident we’re ready to go, we just need to get some points.
"We just have to put the ball in the back of the net — [tomorrow] will tell."
He knew every game was a "must win" for Southern United now if they wanted to replicate last year’s success of making the league final.
"If we win every game, we have every chance of making the grand final. But if we slip up, then we slip up.
"We just really have to take each game at a time and Canterbury is up next."
In the other games Auckland United host Western Springs and Waterside Karori are home to Central today.
Eastern Suburbs are away to Phoenix Reserves and West Coast Rangers play Wellington United tomorrow.
