ST. PETERSBURG – After playing against 10-men for over 80 minutes, the Tampa Bay Rowdies needed a Leo Fernandez tap-in at the death to seal a 2-1 win over Atlanta United 2 at Al Lang Stadium Saturday night.
Atlanta United 2 was reduced to 10-men in just the 7th minutes after Amir Bashti pulled down Lewis Hilton on the edge of the box. Both sides surrounded the referee arguing their case, the Rowdies for a Penalty, and Atlanta for a yellow. After consulting with his assistant, the referee gave the red card as Bashti denied an obvious opportunity, but the foul was out of the box.
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Despite being down to 10-men, the visitors took the lead in the 11th minute. Jackson Conway received the ball after a Dominic Oduro error. He saw Evan Louro slightly off his line, allowing him to hit a powerful shot just over the Rowdies keeper to open the scoring.
The hosts finally got back on level terms in the 61st minute through Lucky Mkosana’s goal at the near post. The shot went right at the keeper, but Ben Lundgaard couldn’t hold on to it, letting the veteran get on the scoresheet after a short pass from Juan Tejada.
With just three minutes to play, the Rowdies finally hit the lead, and again Ludgaard was left feeling he could have done better. A free-kick was swung into the box and found Forrest Lasso, whose header was too tricky for the Atlanta netminder. That saw the ball spill in the box, and it was Leo Fernandez who reacted fastest and tapped it home.
Tampa Bay attacked throughout the first half, but wayward shooting cost the side. Despite managing ten shots during the first half but just one of them was on target, and it was an easily saved shot.
That trend continued in the second half, with the Rowdies managing just five shots on target through the entire match despite having 22 shots through the whole match.
With the victory, the Rowdies will be top of the group at least now but will need to improve to have an impact.
Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Florida Soccer Report 
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