Rowdies Coast Past Brooklyn FC 2-0 at Al Lang Stadium
Tampa Bay Rowdies were victorious 2-0 over Brooklyn FC after goals from Louis Perez and Evan Conway.
The Rowdies took the lead in the 24th minute through Louis Perez. After pinball ensued in the box, the ball was laid off from Charlie Ostrem to Perez who was waiting at the end of the eighteen-yard box. Perez hit the ball perfectly, and it flew past Brooklyn FC goalie Jackson Lee.
Perez has shown his quality from range before, and this is just another example of that. However, I find his ability to play from both wingers the most impressive part of his game. He has scored from range on both the left and right wing, proving his value when he is on the field.
Right before halftime, Jahmali Waite made an incredible free-kick save. Juan Carlos Obregón placed the free kick in the top right corner of the net. Waite, who was at full stretch, tipped the ball away and out of danger.
After halftime, the Rowdies had a great look at goal in the 74th minute. Evan Conway timed his run perfectly, and was wide open in the Brooklyn backline. Electing not to shoot, he picked his head up and identified Pedro Dolabella wide open at the penalty spot. It was just out of reach for Dolabella, but the ball did fall to Lewis Hilton. Hilton ripped the effort, which was saved over the bar by Lee.
After more chances from Tampa Bay to score, they finally got their goal in stoppage time. A Pedro Dolabella cross found an unmarked Evan Conway in the box, who easily headed home the close-range effort.
Defensively, it was another great game from this Rowdies team. Brooklyn was held down to just the free-kick chance. Another clean sheet, not much I can complain about from them.
The attack played well, however, I am starting to notice the hesitancy to shoot again. This team has the ability to shoot from range. In fact, Louis Perez scored from range in his first half strike.
However, I find there are times when play is being held up, when a shot seems to be the better option. It seems like the team is searching for that “final pass” that they will never get.
Otherwise, it was good to see Evan Conway get a goal, and I hope that will improve his confidence. It was also nice to see Pedro Dolabella get an assist as well.
While the Rowdies were taking care of business in St. Petersburg, the machine that is the USL Championship never stops.
Around the League:
While Tampa Bay collected all three points in Al Lang, results were quite favorable around the league.
Charleston Battery played a midweek match against Hartford Athletic, with Hartford’s Barry Coffey heading in the winner in the 96th minute, with the visitors taking all three points 2-1.
Hartford continued to help out the Rowdies, with them getting a point against Detroit City FC. Two late goals were enough not to differentiate the teams, who split the points at a score of 1-1.
Finally, Hartford’s rival Rhode Island FC played Louisville City FC. The two clubs drew after Sean Totsch scored from the penalty spot. Rhode Island FC equalized early in the 2nd half through Stas Korzeniowski. The final score was 1-1.
With the win, Tampa Bay move to 48 points. 2nd place Charleston have 39 points, and 3rd place Detroit City have 37. 4th place Pittsburgh has 35 points, with 5th place Lou City at 33. Hartford Athletic have 31 points, and Indy and Rhode Island are tied with 29 points. Outside the playoff bubble is 23 point Miami FC, with Loudoun United 3 points behind them. 11th place Birmingham have 18 points, Brooklyn have 16 points, with Sporting Jax in last with 14 points.
Coming Up/Match Prediction:
The Rowdies travel to the Nutmeg State to play against Hartford Athletic at Trinity Health Stadium.
Tampa Bay have a very good record in Hartford, winning 6 matches compared to one loss. The Rowdies’ last two games have been 1-0 wins at Trinity Health, showing that they have been close games despite what the records show.
The two teams played each other in June at Al Lang Stadium, with Hartford winning 1-0. This game was the Rowdies’ first loss of the season.
The Rowdies played decently in the game, but were unable to find the goal. Tampa Bay had 27 shots on target, compared to the visitor’s 9 shots.
Hartford’s recent form has been good. They are undefeated in their past 5 games. In their most recent game, they scored a penalty in the 99th minute to steal a point from Detroit City FC. Ironically, Detroit thought they had stole all three points after Maxi Rodriguez scored in the 94th minute.
Hartford scored another goal in stoppage time in their game last week against Charleston. Barry Coffey scored a 96th minute header to take all three points from the Battery.
Speaking of Barry Coffey, he is my player to look out for. After an impressive season in the Irish 2nd Division last year, scoring 26 goals as a midfielder, he made the move to the USL Championship over the winter. Coffey has kept up his goal scoring ways, having found the net six times in 18 matches. He has three goals in his last four games.
After the Rowdies’ performance against Brooklyn, I feel confident. However, I am interested to see how they play against a team fighting for their playoff position.
I am predicting a 0-0 draw. Both teams are fighting for points. Hartford are looking to secure a home playoff game. Tampa Bay on the other hand are looking to create some distance in their race for the Player’s Shield. Unfortunately, I can see this as a game where the clubs play “not to lose”.
The Rowdies do have the advantage of rest. Hartford are hosting Colorado Springs in the USL Cup semi-finals midweek. In Hartford’s game against Detroit, they rested a lot of their starters.
I hope this game will tire out their players for Saturday, and Tampa Bay will have an easier time against an exhausted Hartford squad. This will be Hartford’s 4th game in 2 weeks.
