HARTFORD, Conn. — While the Tampa Bay Rowdies‘ undefeated streak continued with a 2-1 win on Saturday the 95th-minute goal saw the clean sheet streak end at 891 minutes. The win happened by a familiar pattern of dominating in the air and stealing possession and the clean sheet streak ended thanks to relentless pressure.
When a team managed almost 60 percent possession you expect to at least score a goal and that’s what happened for Hartford Athletic on Saturday. It took until the fifth minute of stoppage time but the pressure that had been coming all match finally told.
The Rowdies put up a valiant effort to keep that clean sheet, making 36 clearances in the match, preventing the shot count from ballooning out as much as the box entries. That’s what kept the streak going as the Tampa Bay backline kept control of the match.
More strong defense was seen in the interception count, not counting clearances as an interception the Rowdies managed to intercept the ball 16 times. That led to a decreased amount of opportunities.
When the ball wasn’t cleared away the Athletic strikers just weren’t proving accurate enough, only 25 percent of the shots hit the target. By comparison, their opponents hit the mark over 55 percent of the time. That meant the Rowdies made use of the few opportunities that came their way, despite a penalty miss.
Yet again the Rowdies made better use of the first ball dominating in the air, winning 62.5 percent of the aerial duels. It’s a broken record at this point, but winning that first ball is a key to the way this team plays, especially in matches when they lose possession.
Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies
Florida Soccer Report 