ST. PETERSBURG – For the second straight match the Tampa Bay Rowdies have won 3-0 at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night. This time it was the Pittsburgh Riverhounds who were the victims keeping the perfect start to the season going.
Steevan Dos Santos haunted his former side as he scored the opening goal in the 31st minute. Leo Fernandes swung the ball in from the left, perfectly finding the former Pittsburgh man’s head allowing him to head it home.
There wouldn’t be a second goal until the 75th minute and Dos Santos was key again as he made a run into the box before being brought down by goalkeeper Danny Vitiello. That allowed Sebastian Guenzatti to step up and bury the spot kick to double the lead and all but seal the win.
With six minutes to play fresh substitute Jordan Adebayo-Smith wrapped up the 3-0 score line with his goal. He used his strength to steal possession back on the edge of the area and run through on goal for a simple finish. He could well have made it a brace four minutes later as he ran through on goal one-on-one with the keeper but chipped it just over the bar.
Despite the final results the visitors did have opportunities, with the best coming just 15 minutes into the match from a set piece. Thomas Williamson hit an impressive free-kick that needed Evan Louro to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.
Apart from that one chance the Rowdies were rarely challenged and cruised to a 3-0 win. Next up the Rowdies is the hotly anticipated match against Phoenix Rising, what should have been the 2020 USL Championship Final. That match will be next Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium and aired live on ESPN 2.
Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies
Florida Soccer Report 