Rowdies’ Players’ Shield Hopes Take A Hit After Losing In Hartford
The Rowdies lost 3-1 in Hartford, Connecticut, with a Laurence Wyke consolation goal not enough for any points.
Both teams started the game well, with both having chances threatening the goal. The Rowdies moved the ball good, but were unable to find that final pass to put them through on goal.
25 minutes into the game, the home team struck first. Dion Acoff had the ball taken off him in the Rowdies’ defensive half by Sadat Anaku. Anaku had a nice pullback cross to Michal Adedokun, who calmly slotted the ball into the Rowdie net.
It was a bad giveaway by Acoff, who easily could have cleared the ball away from danger. Instead, he tried to run past the pressing Anaku, who easily dispossessed Acoff, leaving him in the dust.
The teams went into the locker room at 1-0 to the hosts at the break.
The Rowdies had a strong start to the 2nd half, with Max Schneider finding the back of the net off a nice Charlie Ostrem cross. The goal was called back after a shove occurred in the box against Hartford player Matt Real. It’s unfortunate the goal did not count, as it was an impressive finish from Schneider that blew past Hartford goalie Anthony Siaha.
In little time after the disallowed goal, Hartford capitalized on an overextended Rowdie defense. Michee Ngalina blew past a sliding Nathan Dossantos and outpaced Laurence Wyke. It was a 2v1, with Max Schneider being the lone defender for Tampa Bay. Ngalina played a picture perfect pass to Anaku, who finished the chance after going to the near post past Rowdies goalie Jahmali Waite.
The Hartford goal was a perfect counterattack, with the Rowdie defense being caught out being too far forward. It was also a perfect pass from Ngalina to go around Schneider. There were offside shouts against Anaku, but he was clearly onside.
Now down by two, the Rowdies looked to find their way back into the game. A great chance in the 68th minute was wasted. An elevated cross by Rowdie Louis Perez at the edge of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the back post. Dolabella connected with the ball cleanly, but was unable to steer the ball on target.
From about six yards out, Dolabella needs to be putting the ball on target. If Siaha makes a save, that is one thing. But to be that close and to miss the target completely, down by two, it is a brutal missed chance.
The Rowdies pulled one back through a Laurence Wyke wonder goal. The Englishman received the ball in space from Russell Cicerone, took a couple steps, and fired a rocket past the entire Hartford defense. He was about twenty yards out, and rifled it into the net.
With just over ten minutes to go, Tampa only found themselves one goal down.
In the 85th minute, Hartford forward Augi Williams popped a ball over the Rowdies’ high line, which found Michee Ngalina in wide-open space. Ngalina took the ball into the Tampa Bay eighteen-yard box, and attempted to round Waite. Ngalina appeared to have slipped, crashing into the rushing out Waite. The ref pointed to the spot, Hartford were awarded a penalty, and Waite was shown the yellow card.
Ngalina took the penalty he earned, converting the effort to his left side.
In the celebrations, Hartford player Junior Moreira was sent off for a second yellow. This occurred while the TV broadcast was showing the celebration, so it is hard to tell why Moreira was sent off.
Just minutes later, despite coming on at half-time, Louis Perez was issued a second yellow after delaying a restart.
Now into added time, Jahmali Waite made an incredible save to keep the scoreline 3-1.
The Rowdies created another good chance, with Russell Cicerone forcing a diving save from Siaha. The Rowdies were unable to find any more goals, and this chaotic match ended in a Hartford victory.
The Rowdies played well in the first half. They gave up a silly goal, but were still in the game. However, the high line that the defense was running was ripped apart by the Hartford attack. Perfectly placed passes broke through the Tampa Bay defense with ease.
This defense has been really good this season, and I love giving them their flowers. However, this was a really ugly game from them. They were caught out of position too much, and kept trying an offside trap that didn’t work.
There were some positives to this game. Jürgen Locadia made his Rowdies debut, so I am excited to see what he can do in Green and Gold. Also, Laurence Wyke got his first goal in his second spell in Tampa Bay. His last goal for the Rowdies was in 2022, in a 2-1 win over Monterey Bay FC.
The Rowdies are now back at home, and will host Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday, September 19th with a 7:30pm kickoff.
Around the League:
The Charleston Battery played Birmingham Legion FC. The final was 2-2, with all of the goals coming in the first half.
A Miguel Barry double was not enough for Charleston. Legion goals from Sebastian Tregarthen and Romario Williams tied the game. The most important goal was Miguel Barry’s first goal. He pounced on a Birmingham mistake in the backline, easily scoring past goalkeeper Jaseem Koleilat. The final was 2-2.
Next, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC hosted Loudoun United FC at FNB Stadium. Pittsburgh forward Sam Bassett scored an incredible goal from range in the first ten minutes of the match. Despite Loudoun United getting good looks to equalize, they never could score. The match finished 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
Finally, Detroit City FC made the long journey to California to face off against Sacramento Republic FC. Sacramento took the lead through a Jared Timmer header in the 13th minute. Sacramento kept pressing for a second goal, but were denied multiple times through Detroit’s goalkeeper Carlos Herrera. Sacramento did find their second goal in the 82nd minute, but was called back after Kyle Edwards had strayed offsides. The Timmer goal was the only one scored, and the score was 1-0 to the Western Conference club.
With the loss, Tampa Bay stays at 48 points. Charleston moves up to 40 points, and 3rd-place Pittsburgh has 38 points, with Detroit a point behind them with 37 points. 5th place Hartford has 34 points, Louisville drops to sixth with 33 points. Rhode Island has 32 points, and 8th place Indy Eleven has 30 points. 9th place Miami is six points behind Indy, and Loudoun sits four points behind Miami with 20 points. 11th place Birmingham is a point behind Loudoun, and Brooklyn is two points behind with 17 points. Finally, last place Sporting Jax has 14 points.
Coming Up/Match Prediction:
The Rowdies are back home in St. Petersburg, Florida. They will be hosting Birmingham Legion FC.
The two clubs faced off against each other in Matchweek 1, with Marco Micaletto’s lone goal being the winner after a long rain delay.
Since then, it has been a brutal season for the Magic City team. They only have three wins in the USL Championship play, two of which came against Rhode Island FC. The other win came against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in April.
Birmingham are winless in their last five matches, including a brutal last-minute loss to Sporting Jax. Birmingham reportedly rewatched the whole game segment by segment after the loss in the locker room after the game.
The player to watch out for is Romario Williams. The veteran USL striker has been in lethal form recently, scoring 5 goals in the past 4 games.
