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Articles by Darek Sharp
Rowdies settle for draw on the road at Tulsa
The inability to add to a 1-0 lead against the USL Championship’s worst defensive team cost the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night, as FC Tulsa’s Rodrigo da Costa’s goal in the 83rd minute led to a 1-1 draw at OneOK Field. The visiting Rowdies (5-3-5, 20 points) very nearly made it a walkoff victory, but Lucky Mkosana’s header into a vacated net clanked off the right post and Tulsa escaped with its first draw of the season.
Finally fully prepared, Rowdies hope to regain their stride
ST. PETERSBURG — The best week of the Rowdies’ season might have been one in which they played no matches. After a grind of a schedule that made it difficult to practice between games, the Rowdies finally had a proper week to prepare and it paid off in a 5-1 demolition of Phoenix Rising on Sunday.
Two late San Diego goals sink Rowdies
ST. PETERSBURG — San Diego stunned the Rowdies with two late goals, including the winner in the 88th minute, sending Tampa Bay limping into a two-week break with a 3-2 defeat Saturday night before an announced crowd of 5,039 at Al Lang Stadium. Sebastian Guenzatti ended his season-long scoring drought with a goal late in the first half to give the Rowdies (3-3-4) a 2-1 lead, and Tampa Bay twice looked poised to put the game away.
Rowdies lose Dos Santos, match to Memphis 901 FC
The Rowdies yielded goals early and late in the first half and then lost forward Steevan Dos Santos to a red card in the 57th minute of a 3-1 loss to Memphis 901 FC Wednesday at AutoZone Park in Memphis. With the loss, Tampa Bay (3-2-4) continued to slip down the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings. It is now fifth despite having played more matches than any team in the conference, winning just three times in nine contests.
Wasted chances haunt Rowdies in draw with New York
MONTCLAIR, N.J. — The Rowdies squandered constant scoring opportunities Saturday and needed to convert one late to salvage a 1-1 draw against New York. Leo Fernandes, who grew up in New York and had a large rooting section, entered as a substitute and tied the score with his rebound goal of a Conner Antley shot in the 85th minute of the USL Championship match. Tampa Bay was awarded a penalty at the 90th minute, only to have the call waved off after the head referee conferred with the linesman.
Rowdies falter at Orlando City in U.S. Open Cup
ORLANDO — The Rowdies were unable to overcome a two-goal deficit in the second half, falling to Orlando City 2-1 Wednesday in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, a match that saw Tampa Bay coach Neill Collins get ejected late after picking up a red card. With Orlando trying to stall before a Rowdies free kick in the 91st minute, Collins came onto the field and kicked the ball, leading to the red card and ejection.
Rowdies break out of funk, take down Tulsa
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies’ offensive dry spell came to an end Saturday night, along with their three-game winless streak, thanks to a 3-1 triumph against Tulsa before an announced crowd of 5,067 at Al Lang Stadium. Lewis Hilton scored in the third minute as Tampa Bay grabbed a 2-0 halftime lead and kept up the pressure in the second half, despite allowing a late goal. “We’re not a team at home that wants to go 2-0 up and sit back,” said coach Neill Collins.
Rowdies hone in on playing with more intensity, urgency
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies have spent their last three games desperately searching for a late goal, only to come up empty while being shut out twice. They are intent on changing that template tonight. Having not recorded a victory in nearly a month, Tampa Bay (2-1-3) welcomes Tulsa FC (3-3) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Al Lang Stadium. “We’re creating chances, we’re pinning teams in.
Jake LaCava feels perfectly at home with the Rowdies
ST. PETERSBURG — For all their returning firepower and the addition of Jake LaCava paying off with three goals in five matches, the Rowdies are off to a slow start offensively. At least in league play. The six goals in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup shutout of The Villages SC were nice, as was the flow of the attack. But in games that count toward league standings, Tampa Bay has back-to-back draws, including a scoreless effort last weekend at Oakland.
Rowdies remain unbeaten, pick up a draw on the road
CJ Cochran quite simply stole a point for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who can thank their goalkeeper for turning in a 0-0 result late Saturday at the Oakland Roots. The Rowdies are still unbeaten, albeit with only two wins in five contests, the last two being draws. Whereas last weekend Tampa Bay vastly outplayed Hartford at home only to finish 1-1, this one was dominated by Oakland for the first hour. The Rowdies did not get a shot on goal until the 82nd minute.
Rowdies settle for draw with Hartford
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies fell behind early, then controlled the remainder of the match but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Hartford on Saturday night before an announced 6,061 at Al Lang Stadium. The score was tied at 1 at halftime, but the action picked up substantially after a series of four substitutions for Tampa Bay.
Rowdies thrash overmatched Atlanta United 2
KENNESAW, GA. — Appropriate to the makeup of the rosters, the Rowdies manhandled Atlanta United 2 in a 3-0 victory Wednesday night. Against a squad with players mostly in their teens, veteran-based Tampa Bay controlled play and seemingly could have conceivably doubled its goal count. The Rowdies are unbeaten through three matches (2-0-1) while Atlanta, outshot 26-6 Wednesday and 73-15 this season, fell to 0-3 in the USL Championship.
Los Rowdies atacan rápidamente, despachan a Indy Eleven en el primer partido en casa
CENTRO Tampa S T. PETERSBURG – El estandarte del campeonato de la Conferencia Este de 2021 apenas tuvo tiempo para respirar antes de que los Rowdies de 2022 consiguieran su primer gol en casa de la temporada. Juan Tejada anotó un gol a los 34 segundos y Tampa Bay estaba en camino de derrotar 2-0 a Indy Eleven ante una multitud anunciada de 5,192 el sábado por la noche en el estadio Al Lang.
Rowdies strike quickly, dispatch Indy Eleven in home opener
ST. PETERSBURG — The 2021 Eastern Conference championship banner barely had time to breathe before the 2022 Rowdies got their first home goal of the season. Juan Tejada blasted a goal 34 seconds in and Tampa Bay was on its way to a 2-0 defeat of Indy Eleven before an announced crowd of 5,192 Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. Jake LaCava, 21, added the second goal in the 51st minute, and when Indy went a man down on the hour mark, the game was effectively decided.
Rowdies work to continue to find their footing in new year
ST. PETERSBURG — The feeling-out process that typifies the start of most professional soccer matches held true for the Rowdies in the season opener. A first-half injury involving new central defender Robert Castellanos and gradual mixing in of new attackers in the second half Sunday led to some promising moments but ultimately a 1-1 draw at Birmingham. Tonight’s home opener brings an opponent going through the same process.
Rowdies settle for tie in opener after late Legion FC goal
Marlon Santos curled in a spectacular shot in the 86th minute to give Legion FC a 1-1 tie with the Rowdies in their regular-season opener Sunday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. Sebastian Dalgaard’s 34th-minute goal gave Tampa Bay the lead, and he might have made it 2-0 if not for a solid save by Birmingham’s Matt Van Oekel in the 66th minute. However, Birmingham, which held the bulk of possession time, was rewarded with a draw thanks to Santos.
Rowdies fine-tune an already stellar lineup ahead of season opener
Though last season ended in the most bitter fashion, the Tampa Bay Rowdies hardly were in need of an overhaul. After all, they had the best record in the entire USL Championship. With just a few notable changes, the Rowdies embark upon their 2022 season Sunday when they visit Birmingham Legion FC in a 5 p.m. match that will air nationally on ESPN2. The Rowdies dumped Birmingham in each of the past two postseasons en route to winning the Eastern Conference.
Rowdies can’t overcome first-half deficit in USL Championship final
ST. PETERSBURG — A sellout crowd never gave up on its Rowdies on Sunday night, but the three goals Tampa Bay gave up in the first half proved deadly for their hopes for a USL Championship trophy. Orange County stunned Tampa Bay for the franchise’s first title, 3-1 before an announced crowd of 7,521 at Al Lang Stadium.
Rowdies ready to make good on second shot at USL Championship title
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s not that the Tampa Bay Rowdies didn’t deserve inclusion in the “Champa Bay” group alongside the Bucs, Lightning and Rays last season. After all, there was no actual USL Championship final, so the Rowdies’ Eastern Conference title was as near to a title as they could come. But the positive COVID-19 results on the Tampa Bay side prevented the final from taking place, and one of the Rowdies’ team leaders acknowledges there’s still a sense of having something to prove.
Rowdies, Louisville City FC to meet again for East title
ST. PETERSBURG — There can’t be many followers of the USL Championship surprised that the Rowdies and Louisville City FC will play for the Eastern Conference title. Louisville has made it to the conference final in all seven years of its existence, losing to Tampa Bay last season.. The Rowdies were set to host Phoenix in the league final, but multiple positive COVID-19 tests on Tampa Bay’s side led to the cancellation of the match.
Rowdies shut out Birmingham, advance to conference final
ST. PETERSBURG — In about as convincing of a 1-0 win as a soccer team can turn in, the Rowdies dispatched Birmingham on Saturday night to land a spot in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference final before 5,949 at Al Lang Stadium. The Legion had nary a good look at the goal but hung around, keeping the game scoreless through one half of play.
Rowdies expect a defensive battle in conference semifinal
ST. PETERSBURG — A large percentage of those who attended the Rowdies’ playoff opener will be back at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday for the Eastern Conference semifinals, and why not? Tampa Bay put on an offensive show, scoring six goals before the 6,000-plus in attendance. Fair warning: don’t expect the same outpouring of goals.
Rowdies run away with playoff opener against FC Tulsa
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies controlled the first half of their playoff opener Saturday night but had only a one-goal lead at halftime to show for it. Still, if there was any concern that underdog Tulsa might hang around, it didn’t last long. Tampa Bay (24-7-2) scored two quick goals after the break and piled on with three more in the late stages for a resounding 6-2 victory in the USL Championship Eastern Conference quarterfinal before an Al Lang Stadium crowd of 6,262.
Rowdies atop their game as playoffs get back underway
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies battled every step of the way to last season’s USL Championship final, beating three-time defending finalist Louisville City on the road to claim the Eastern Conference crown. But it was all for naught. A prohibitive amount of positive COVID-19 tests among the Rowdies, including head coach Neill Collins, caused the title match against Phoenix Rising to be canceled one day before the game.
Los Rowdies reclaman el primer puesto general de la liga y obtienen la ventaja de local para los playoffs
Después de terminar la temporada regular con su viaje por carretera más largo, los Rowdies ya no tendrán que preocuparse por viajar. Tampa Bay derrotó 2-1 a Las Vegas Lights FC el sábado por la noche y aseguró el primer lugar general en la clasificación del Campeonato de la USL. Gracias al resultado, Tampa Bay tiene la seguridad de no tener que salir del Al Lang Stadium durante su estadía en la postemporada.
Rowdies claim league’s top overall spot, gain home-field advantage for playoffs
After ending the regular season with their longest road trip, the Rowdies no longer will have to be concerned with traveling. Tampa Bay defeated Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1 late Saturday and secured the overall top spot in the USL Championship standings. Thanks to the result Tampa Bay is assured of not having to leave Al Lang Stadium for the duration of its postseason stay.
Rowdies make one goal stand up in victory at Loudoun United
The Rowdies were tested by the last-place team in the league, but they still remained the USL Championship’s first-place squad with a 1-0 victory at Loudoun United on Saturday night. Steevan Dos Santos’ first-half goal, his eighth of the season, proved enough as the Rowdies outshot the hosts 15-7 in Leesburg, Va. Lewis Hilton’s free kick was cleared off the goal line, but the ball went right to Dos Santos for the easy putaway in the 40th minute.
Rowdies blank Miami, clinch conference’s top seed for playoffs
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies hope to have more matches at Al Lang Stadium come November, but until then, the way they concluded the home portion of their regular-season schedule will do for now. Sebastian Guenzatti scored twice, eclipsing his franchise record for a single season with 21 goals, and Tampa Bay locked up the top seed in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference, defeating Miami 3-0 before an announced crowd of 3,976.
Miami FC likely to bring intensity against Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s been so long since they’ve squared off, it might take a few minutes for the Rowdies and Miami FC to remember they are rivals. But there’s enough at stake for both teams, and enough to try and make up for from their most recent outings, to safely say intensity will be on the menu at Al Lang Stadium for the Rowdies’ final home match of the regular season. Miami FC had never beaten the Rowdies until doing it twice in a 10-day span in July, both matches played at FIU.
Playoff positioning still at stake for Rowdies
The Rowdies get a chance Friday to demonstrate something they haven’t need to for two and a half months: their ability to bounce back from a loss. And Tampa Bay has plenty more motivation than merely disposing of any lingering disappointment from a 2-0 Sunday night defeat at Pittsburgh. Two wins in their final four games are all the Rowdies need to ensure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Rowdies lose but clinch Atlantic Division championship
Considering they wrapped up a division title Sunday in Pittsburgh, the Rowdies left Highmark Stadium feeling pretty unfulfilled. That’s because their 12-match unbeaten streak, and nine-game winning streak, came to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Riverhounds. It was the Rowdies’ first defeat since July 31. Their only blemish during an 11-0-1 stretch was a scoreless draw at Pittsburgh on Aug. 18.
Rowdies move to top of USL Championship points standings
ST. PETERSBURG — Rowdies captain Sebastian Guenzatti scored two goals for the fourth time in his past five games, leading Tampa Bay to a ninth straight victory, 4-2 over Charleston before an announced crowd of 3,210 at Al Lang Stadium on Thursday. Guenzatti has 19 goals for the season, helping the Rowdies to the highest point total, 61, in the USL Championship with five matches remaining in the regular season.
Rowdies soon hope to return home for an extended stay
Their recent road success notwithstanding, the Rowdies still want to lock down a long-term postseason stay at Al Lang Stadium. Leading the Eastern Conference by eight points thanks to an eight-game winning streak (the last three on the road), Tampa Bay happily returns home Thursday for an 8 p.m. kickoff against Charleston. With six regular-season matches remaining, Tampa Bay likely will need just three more wins to clinch the East.
Rowdies win on road at Charleston, clinch playoff berth
The Rowdies are officially postseason bound, and their primary target — obtaining homefield advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs — is within reach. After falling behind early on the road, the Rowdies quickly took the lead and held on for a 2-1 win over Charleston on Saturday night. Tampa Bay (19-6-1, 58 points) hasn’t lost in 11 straight games (one tie).
One streak ends, but it’s not the winning one for Rowdies
The Rowdies’ run of spotless defending came to an end Saturday, but their winning streak did not. Tampa Bay made it seven straight victories, and 10 straight unbeaten outcomes, prevailing 2-1 at Hartford while being led once again by two goals from Sebastian Guenzatti. Hartford scored near the end of a four-minute stoppage time. Guenzatti had a two-goal game for a third straight week and has 16 goals on the season.
Don’t be fooled by the scores; Rowdies have had Hartford’s number
Judging by the scores of their first three meetings, it wouldn’t seem dangerous to predict that the Rowdies and Hartford Athletic will play to a 1-0 result Saturday night. But judging by their recent performances — and how those previous matches played out — it might be a risky prediction. “I think it’s been more of a coincidence than anything,” said Rowdies head coach Neill Collins. “The games have been far from that.” The Rowdies could have scored multiple goals in all three meetings.
Rowdies set a league mark for containing opponents
The Rowdies set a new USL Championship standard for spotless defense Saturday, posting an eighth straight shutout, 2-0 over Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Tampa Bay needed to get through 49 minutes without yielding an Atlanta goal to reach the league record of 760 scoreless minutes. There wasn’t much other drama in the second half; by then Tampa Bay was in control thanks to two first-half goals by Sebastian Guenzatti.
Triple threat leads scoring barrage for Rowdies vs. New York
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rowdies had the New York Red Bulls II seeing double on Saturday. Leo Fernandes, Sebastian Guenzatti and Yann Ekra each scored twice in a 6-0 thumping before an announced 4,413 fans at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies (16-6-1, 49 points) doubled their previous season-high output, having posted three goals on four separate occasions. They scored three goals in each half Saturday. Just imagine if they hadn’t missed a penalty kick.
Rowdies hope to continue winning ways at home
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies opened the season with a five-match winning streak and can equal that mark Saturday night, when they welcome New York Red Bulls II for a 7:30 kickoff at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay (15-6-1, 46 points) has claimed the top spot in the USL Championship, most recently earning a 1-0 win Tuesday at Charleston. While their road play has improved and will need to continue to do so (their next three games are away), home is where the Rowdies have thrived with a 10-2 mark.
Rowdies extend unbeaten streak with shutout of Charleston
The Tampa Bay Rowdies extended their streak of being unscored upon to 10 hours, and their unbeaten stretch to seven matches, with a hard-earned 1-0 road victory over the Charleston Battery on Tuesday night. Tampa Bay (15-6-1, 46 points) reclaimed the top overall spot in the USL Championship, which Phoenix (44 points) briefly held after a victory Sunday evening. Lewis Hilton ripped a low drive from just outside the penalty box, giving the Rowdies the lead in the 63rd minute.
Rowdies throttle Oakland, sit atop the Eastern Conference
ST. PETERSBURG — As comprehensive as it was impressive, the Tampa Bay Rowdies posted a dominant performance Friday at Al Lang Stadium, defeating the Oakland Roots 3-0 to ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference. Oakland (5-9-5) brought a six-match unbeaten streak that included three straight 3-1 victories, but an announced crowd of 3,514 saw the Rowdies take control and keep it.
Rowdies’ Steevan Dos Santos makes up for lost time, scores twice
ST. PETERSBURG — The first 30 minutes saw the visitors dominate. The next 30 saw the Rowdies take control, but fail to produce that first shot on goal. The final 30 were all about Steevan Dos Santos and another victory for Tampa Bay, now 4-0-1 over its past five games after taking down Charlotte before an announced 4,461 fans at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday. Dos Santos, who missed nearly three months with a broken foot, scored in the 73rd and 76th minutes for his first goals since May.
Rowdies happy to be home after successful road stretch
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s not as glitzy as their 5-0 start, when the Rowdies scored 11 goals. But their current four-match unbeaten streak has in many ways been just as impressive. The Rowdies have pulled results in three straight road matches, including a 2-0 victory over Loudoun United on Monday, to return to the top of the Atlantic Division after a 1-4 slide. Now, Tampa Bay gets to enjoy its first consecutive home games since mid-June, starting Saturday night against Charlotte at Al Lang Stadium.
Rowdies pair get first goals of season in road shutout
A tightly-contested first half in Leesburg, Va., tilted completely on the very last play, one the Rowdies rode to a 2-0 victory over Loudoun United. The win gave Tampa Bay (12-6-1, 37 points) a four-match unbeaten streak and kept the team atop the Atlantic Division. Lewis Hilton and Forrest Lasso scored their first goals of the season, with Lasso’s spectacular header off a Hilton free kick providing the crucial two-goal cushion at halftime.
Rowdies not satisfied with tie but will take the point and move on
As evidenced by it not having happened in a little more than a year, the Rowdies don’t believe in settling for ties. That wasn’t the plan Wednesday against Pittsburgh, either, until the late stages, when an accumulation of circumstances dictated the approach and the Rowdies played the host Riverhounds to a 0-0 draw. The teams stayed tied atop the Atlantic Division with 34 points apiece. It was Tampa Bay’s first draw since Aug. 16, 2020.
Rowdies hope to gain advantage over Pittsburgh
Not long ago, the Rowdies were looking up at a Pittsburgh team that seemed ready to seize control of the Atlantic Division standings, or at least as much as one can midway through the USL Championship season. Fortunes have reversed quickly. And now it’s the Rowdies who will have that opportunity when they face the Riverhounds Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.
Rowdies beat Hartford on Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s late goal
ST. PETERSBURG — Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s 85th-minute goal off a corner kick lifted the Rowdies to a 1-0 win over Hartford Athletic before an announced crowd of 3,682 Friday night at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay was in control throughout the match, outshooting Hartford 22-2. Adebayo-Smith scored on a rebound of his own shot after Lewis Hilton, who delivered the corner kick, saved a stray ball from rolling across the goal line. “Credit to the players.
Rowdies aim to carry over strong finish against Hartford Athletic
ST. PETERSBURG — If the Rowdies pick up where they left off against Hartford Athletic Friday at Al Lang Stadium, fans better not take too long finding their seats for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. During a frantic final eight minutes in their last meeting July 13 in St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay had almost as many shots (nine) as Hartford did all night. The Rowdies appeared to have scored on at least a half dozen occasions, many in stoppage time. Still, Hartford managed to escape with a 1-0 win.
Rowdies rally for road win over New York Red Bulls II
After falling behind early, the Rowdies settled themselves to the tune of a much-needed victory, 2-1 against New York Red Bulls II Friday at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. Against a squad where he would be counted among the grizzled veterans, Rowdies’ 20-year-old Jordan Adebayo-Smith provided a key spark all night, tying the game with a 33rd-minute goal.
Average efforts have meant below-average results for Rowdies
ST. PETERSBURG — On more than one occasion last season, the Rowdies managed to squeak out a victory when not playing their best. All of those extra points came in handy as Tampa Bay nudged out Charleston for a division title, producing two home playoff games and an eventual Eastern Conference championship. Those types of results aren’t happening in 2021.
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