ST PETERSBURG – They were made to wait but when the match finally got going the Tampa Bay Rowdies were barely challenged by Philadelphia Union II. The Rowdies managed a 2-0 win at Al Lang Stadium on Sunday night.
Playing against a squad made up entirely of Children the Rowdies cruised to the win, a needed result to recover from their first loss of the season.
The opening goal came in just the sixth minute after waiting almost two and a half hours for kickoff due to a storm. Malik Johnson took a long ball from Aaron Guillen and crossed with his first touch for Sebastian Guenzatti. The Uruguayan continued his excellent season of scoring reaching out his leg to redirect the ball into the back of the net.
A second goal came six minutes before halftime. The Union II inexperience showed as the goal was preventable. Zach Steinberger sent the ball back for Yann Ekra whose shot was poorly dealt with by Philly keeper Mitchell Budler who let it in to double the Tampa Bay lead.
Despite those being the only goals of the match, there were plenty of chances. The best of those opportunities came to the kids of Philadelphia. Paxten Aaronson looked to emulate his brother’s feet of goalscoring for the club beating the keeper but only finding the crossbar.
Leo Fernandes was dangerous for the Rowdies throughout, whipping in dangerous balls that his teammates couldn’t convert. Steinberger sent Fernandes’ curling ball agonizingly wide while Guenzatti saw his volley saved after a superb backheel from Fernandes.
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With the second half starting after 11 p.m. it was unsurprising that things slowed down. Tampa Bay was still the far more assertive side. Still, the chances weren’t as prolific as in the first, not that it mattered as the Rowdies comfortably held off Philadelphia and went six-points clear with four games to play.
(Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies)
Florida Soccer Report 
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