Rowdies Lose In Detroit 1-0 After Lone Diouf Goal
Tampa Bay Rowdies flew up north to face Detroit City in Hamtramck, Michigan at Keyworth Stadium.
The game started slowly as both teams couldn’t get anything going, except for tempers.
The first big chance of the game came from Detroit in the 15th minute. Winger Ates Diouf ran past defender Ethan Bartlow, and played a picture perfect pass to Jeicel Cedeño, who fired the ball right into Charlie Ostrem’s forehead. The Rowdies didn’t concede, but it was a scary defensive breakdown. Bartlow was made to look like he wasn’t even there, and Nathan Dossantos whiffed on Diouf’s pass. If Ostrem isn’t there, it is easily 1-0 to Detroit City.
Twenty minutes later, Detroit found their goal. After a turnover by the Rowdies, the ball eventually found Diouf.
After a misplay from Bartlow, Diouf poked in a volley past goalie Jahamli Waite, making it 1-0 to the hosts.
In the last play before halftime, Diouf found himself in a great position again. Aedan Stanley played an in-swinging free kick to the back post, where Diouf was wide open. He mistimed the shot and fired it over the bar, but was very close to doubling the lead right before halftime.
The Rowdies attack was stagnant the first half, registering one shot, which was off target.
A great chance for Detroit to double the score happened right after play resumed. Aedan Stanley played an in-swinging cross to striker Darren Smith, who just missed the redirect, keeping the score 1-0.
The Rowdies best chance of the night came in stoppage time. With 30 seconds to go, Charlie Ostrem fired in a cross to substitute Karsen Henderlong. Henderlong half-vollied the shot towards the near post. An incredible effort from Detroit City keeper Carlos Herrera denied Henderlong, keeping the Rowdies shutout.
It was a really slow game from the Rowdies offensively, with the team struggling to complete passes without turning the ball over.
Dion Acoff made a big impact in the game after being subbed on, once again showing how important he is to the Tampa Bay attack. He set up a good chance for Henderlong earlier in the match, which was caught by Herrera.
Of course every game is not going to be a 3-0 win, but this game really exposed how the team can be their own worst enemy. Turnovers and poor passes were the downfall of the game.
Detroit is a very good team, and I have a feeling they will go far in the playoffs. Especially if they play their matches at Keyworth.
I think this loss was an important lesson for the team. Hopefully the loss tastes bitter, and the team can take out their frustrations on Pittsburgh next week.
Around The League:
Charleston Battery were set to play Miami FC in South Carolina, but the match was postponed Monday, August 24th, at 7pm. Thunder and lightning storms were the reason of the delay.
Louisville City FC did get to play in a rivalry match with Indy Eleven. Indy Eleven claimed all three points in the fixture, with the hosts winning 2-1.
In the first half Indy took the lead through forward Bruno Rendón. Rendón controlled a well placed through ball, and fired it past Lou City keeper Danny Faundez.
Louisville found their equalizer early in the second half, with Kyle Adams scoring on a corner.
They were not celebrating for long as former Rowdie Jack Blake scored from range to give Indy the advantage again.
Indy was now leading 2-1, with 30 minutes to go. Both sides had more good chances, but were unable to find another goal.
Indy picked up crucial points for their quest for a home playoff match, and Louisville drop down to 5th in the Eastern Conference standings.
There was a lot of movement in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay stayed in first place, with 44 points. With their win over the Rowdies, Detroit City FC moves to 2nd, 9 points behind the Green and Gold. 3rd place Charleston and 4th place Pittsburgh are tied with 33 points. Louisville City FC moves down to 5th place with 31 points. 6th place Indy Eleven and 7th place Rhode Island both have 28 points, with Hartford Athletic having 24 points. Miami is outside the playoff range with 22 points, and 10th place Loudoun has 20 points. 11th place Birmingham has 17 points, 12th place Brooklyn has 13 points, and Sporting Jax picked up their second win of the season, moving them to 11 points. They have now matched Miami FC’s 2024 point tally.
Coming Up:
The Rowdies are on the road again, this time to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to match up against the defending USL Championship winners.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have been very good recently, sliding into 4th place in the USL Eastern Conference table.
These teams played early into the season, with the game ending in a 3-0 win to the Rowdies. The match was the first time we got to see this team play in Al Lang this season, with the team easing past the Pittsburgh side.
The Riverhounds have been in good form recently, going four matches unbeaten, three of them wins. The most impressive win in the stretch goes to the 3-1 win over Charleston Battery. The goals from Joao Souza and Danny Griffin made up the difference.
After a rough game in Detroit, I expect more of the same from this game in Pittsburgh. F.N.B Stadium, known as “Fort Highmark” during the 2025 USL Playoffs, is a very difficult place to play.
The Rowdies offense has been stagnant recently, and that definitely showed against Detroit City.
I really liked the shape we had against Louisville City and Rhode Island FC, and I’d like to see that back against Pittsburgh.
I think having that extra defender is important as it allows Dion Acoff and Charlie Ostrem to stay higher up in the field. It also gives opportunity for Conner Antley to take advantage of space, as we saw in the first goal against Rhode Island.
I don’t see this game being high scoring unfortunately. I’m predicting a 0-0 draw.
In a game where both teams will be looking for a point, I do not see this as a bad scenario at all.
The Rowdies will have an advantage coming into the match as Pittsburgh plays El Paso Locomotive FC in Texas midweek. Hopefully the Rowdies can take advantage of the Riverhound’s tired legs.
