ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 13, 2016) – In their first action of 2016, the Tampa Bay Rowdies dropped a 1-0 decision to D.C. United in the opening game of the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.
Despite the result, Rowdies midfielder Georgi Hristov was happy with the team’s 2016 debut.
“For a first game, especially when D.C. was way ahead of us in their preseason, I think it was a really good game,” Hristov said. “We still need time to get to know each other on the field, there are a lot of new guys. We just need a little more time and we’ll start playing better and better.”
D.C. United took the lead in the 28th minute when Luciano Acosta forced a Darnell King turnover and fed Fabian Espindola wide open in front of Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens. The goal stood up despite the appearance that the ball trickled out of bounds over Tampa Bay’s endline after a foul by Acosta.
“The manner in which we conceded the goal makes it even more frustrating,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “I’m glad it happened now so it won’t happen again.”
Despite failing to register a shot on the net in the first 45 minutes, the Rowdies did have several chances breaking out in transition but lacked the finishing touch to break through.
Both teams used the second half of the exhibition match to try out new lineups. Tampa Bay trotted out 11 new players when the game resumed. With a CONCACAF Champions League game in 10 days, D.C. United’s starters began the second half, but were slowly subbed off.
While those changes weren’t enough to turn things around for the Rowdies on the scoreboard, Tampa Bay had much more success in the attacking third after halftime.
Hristov was the substitute with the biggest impact for Tampa Bay, creating several good looks in the second half.
“As long as we have chances, it’s very good,” Hristov said. “If we have chances, it means that we’re playing well.”
Hristov recorded Tampa Bay’s first shot on net in the 51st minute, breaking free and shooting from just outside the box. 12 minutes laterhe broke off a run down the right side of the field and found forward Tommy Heinemann for a great scoring chance.
Tampa Bay’s best opportunity came in the 81st minute when Heinemann found himself in alone on D.C. United goalkeeper Benjamin Kirsten. The goalkeeper got just enough of Heinemann’s shot to cause the ball to check up short of the goal line where it was cleared by a defender.
With most of the action in the second half taking place in the Rowdies’ attacking third, newly-acquired goalkeeper Michael Langer didn’t see much action in the second half, making one save.
Tampa Bay had one last chance when they were awarded a free kick from just outside D.C. United’s box in the 90th minute, but Hristov’s shot went just wide of the target.
The Rowdies are back in action next Saturday, February 20 against MLS’s Philadelphia Union at Al Lang Stadium in Rowdies Suncoast Invitational action. Before then, Al Lang hosts an MLS doubleheader Wednesday, February 17 when D.C. United takes on Philadelphia and the Montreal Impact face New York City FC. Tickets for Rowdies Suncoast Invitational matches start at just $15 and are available by calling (727) 222-2000 or clicking here.
Scoring Summary
D.C. United – Fabian Espindola – 27th minute (Assisted by Luciano Acosta)
Caution Summary
D.C. United – Paul Clowes – 30th minute
Rowdies – Darnell King – 32nd minute
D.C. United – Junior Burgos – 41st minute
D.C. United – Steve Birnbaum – 43rd minute
Starting XI
Rowdies (4-3-3): GK Matt Pickens; D Zac Portillos, D Frankie Sanfilippo, D Justin Chavez, D Darnell King; M Juan Guerra, M Michael Nanchoff, M Junior Burgos, F Walter Ramirez, F Danny Mwanga, F Kalif Alhassan.
D.C. United (4-4-2): GK Andrew Dykstra; D Taylor Kemp, D Steve Birnbaum, D Jalen Robinson, D Luke Mishu; M Paul Clowes, M Rob Vincent, M Patrick Nyarko, M Nick DeLeon; F Luciano Acosta, F Fabian Espindola.
Source: ROWDIES DROP FIRST PRESEASON MATCH 1-0 TO D.C. UNITED by rowdiessoccer.com Staff