Storm Can’t Stop Rowdies

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.

Highlights: Tampa Bay Rowdies v Philadelphia Union II – USL Championship – September 6 2020

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.

READ MORE: Florida man Arrested for Living at Soccer Stadium

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)

Blaise Matuidi Joins Inter Miami CF

MIAMI – FIFA World Cup winner and seven-time league champion in France and Italy, Frenchman Blaise Matuidi has signed with Inter Miami CF on Thursday.

The signing makes Matuidi the third active world champion to play in Major League Soccer following on from Brazilian Branco who played with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars in 1997, and German Bastian Schweinsteiger played for Chicago Fire from 2017-2019.

“I couldn’t be happier to welcome my friend Blaise to Inter Miami. He is an exciting and gifted player and a great person. To have a World Cup winner of Blaise’s quality in our new team is such a proud moment – for us as owners and for our fans. For me personally, to have a former teammate joining our club is very special and I can’t wait to welcome him and his beautiful family to South Florida.”

Inter Miami CF co-owner David Beckham

Matuidi has already taken the number eight jersey and comes as the most successful individual player winning 22 trophies including the World Cup, four Ligue 1 and three Serie A titles. He has also won individual honors, the 2015 French Player of the Year award and twice named to the Ligue 1 team of the season.

Welcome Blaise Matuidi Graphic
Graphic: Inter Miami CF

His most recent side was Italian giant and Serie A champion Juventus, where he won the title in all three seasons he was at the club. He played 133 times for the Old Lady, the second most of anyone during his time at the club, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists. He also impressed in continental competition with 23 appearances, two goals, and one assist.

Should the paperwork come through from FIFA and US Citizenship and Immigration Services quick enough, Matuidi will play in the Heron’s first match back. Miami will face Orlando City next Saturday to open Inter Miami CF Stadium, and Matuidi’s addition will be a significant boost to take on the MLS is Back runners-up.

(Photo: Aнтон Зайцев, under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Three Orlando City Players Earn MLS is Back Best XI Honors

BAY LAKE – Following a stellar tournament which saw Orlando City SC reach the MLS is Back final, three players were named in the team of the tournament, announced on Thursday.

Nani, Joao Moutinho, and Ruan were all named to the MLS is Back Best XI which was awarded by a media vote. All three players had earned high praise throughout the tournament and had the final have gone the other way Nani may well have won the player of the tournament award.

The Portuguese legend starred throughout the tournament, playing every minute for the Lions scoring or assisting on seven of the 12 Orlando goals at Disney.

READ MORE: Portland Timbers win MLS is Back Tournament

Moutinho and Ruan make up half of the backline in the team of the tournament following their crucial performances in purple. Orlando City only conceded two goals in a match once, Tuesday’s final, with the pair proving a vital part of a team that was hard to break down.

It wasn’t just defense which earned Moutinho and Ruan their places in the honorary team, with both players providing an assist in the tournament. Moutinho also managed to be a goalscorer, heading home the crucial equalizer against LAFC.

Four other Lions were nominated for honors but missed out: Pedro Gallese, Antonio Carlos, Mauricio Pereyra, and Chris Mueller.

(Photo: Jared Martinez, Matt Stith & Devin L’Amoreaux)

First Half Goals Force Orlando and Miami Reserves to Split Points

KISSIMMEE – It took two hours to get going, but Orlando City B and Fort Lauderdale CF fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Friday night at Osceola County Stadium.

It was the first Floridian derby in USL League One, and the first time Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF’s reserve teams battled each other. It was also the first competitive soccer match held at the former baseball stadium.

Wilfredo Rivera opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to give OCB the lead. He received a ball from Moises Tablante and made space for the shot at the top of the box, hitting it low, taking a deflection on the way in the net.

But in the 39th minute, Fort Lauderdale was back on level terms. The goal came from some opportunistic work by Ricky Lopez-Espin, continuing his impressive goal-scoring form. He closed down the goalkeeper and was able to redirect the attempted clearance into the back of the net.

Highlights: Orlando City B v Fort Lauderdale CF – USL League One – August 14 2020

That was a quick start as the match was delayed in the 11th minute for two hours following lightning.

Throughout the second half, the teams kept the chances coming. It could have been the Lion Cubs in front on the hour mark when Aleksander Gluvacevic got clean through on goal but could only shoot wide.

Just after the hour mark, Lopez-Espin nearly doubled his goal-tally but could only find the keeper’s gloves. He did the same thing again in stoppage time, forcing the teams to split the points.

(Photo: USL League One)

Florida man Arrested for Living at Soccer Stadium

ST. PETERSBURG – A homeless man, Daniel Neja, was arrested on Sunday after living at the Tampa Bay Rowdies home ground, Al Lang Stadium for over two weeks.

Neja was charged with burglary and resisting arrest, and the bond is set at $5150. Currently, Neja has not been charged with trespassing for coming into the stadium.

That may be because he was invited in, posing as part of a cleaning crew for the stadium to get in and then he was able to set up a home base.

Daniel Albert Neja, 39, was arrested on Sunday
Photo: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Finding his way into one of the luxury suites, the 39-year-old was able to set up a comfortable home. He slept in the suite and took food from the concession stands for meals. Keeping him going for two weeks since he got into the stadium.

Of course, it wasn’t just food that Neja took advantage on, with a lot of alcohol in the concession stands he also took advantage of the alcohol but only drank $250 worth of alcohol. If this was across the bay at Raymond James that would only be two beers.

In addition to food and accommodation, Neja has also become one of the biggest owners of Rowdies 2020 season merchandise. When he was arrested, he was wearing $1000 worth of gear according to the police report.

It was the cleaning crew that uncovered him when they became suspicious that it looked like someone was living in one of the suites. The team discovered blankets and razors and then found Neja dressed head to toe in Rowdies merchandise.

Right now Neja is awaiting trial but has previously done this, last month breaking into Lutz Elementry School on the other side of the bridge. He plead guilty to that, saying he was looking for food; presumably, he’ll plead guilty here too.

(Photo: Franksgiving, used under creative commons license)

Unstoppable Rowdies Keep Going

ATLANTA – The Tampa Bay Rowdies have gone top of the combined USL Championship standings following a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday.

That landmark may be significant, but even more so is its position in the group, a whopping nine points clear on top of Group H.

It may not have been the most impressive or breathtaking victory, but there aren’t any points for style, and getting the job done matters the most in a shortened season. The Rowdies rarely looked troubled as they cruised to the two-goal victory.

As has become common in this post COVID era, the hydration break proved to be a catalyst for change. The Rowdies’ first goal came just after the first half pause. Lewis Hilton swung in a corner perfectly for Forrest Lasso to head home.

It was a long wait for the second goal, which didn’t come until the 81st minute when a stunning run from Juan Tejada led to him sealing the win. He received Yann Ekra’s through ball and then cut back inside, curling the ball past the keeper.

It could have been three late in the match as Tejada and Ekra swapped roles, but Ekra was denied by a save.

READ MORE: Rowdies Score Three to Sink Miami

Atlanta had plenty of the ball, especially in the first half, but failed to convert all that possession into chances, and the Rowdies took advantage.

With the win, Tampa Bay is 12 points, four games, clear of missing a playoff place, and with only eight games to play for the side in third place (Atlanta), it already looks like the Rowdies are playoff-bound.

(Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies)

Portland Timbers win MLS is Back Tournament

BAY LAKE – The Portland Timbers have won the MLS is Back tournament with a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC at Disney World on Tuesday night.

With the win, Portland has qualified for the 2020-21 CONCACAF Champions League, taking the first spot for Major League Soccer.

The Timbers opened the scoring in the 27th minute after a well-executed set-piece move. Diego Valeri swung the ball in, finding Larrys Mabiala who was able to head it home from close range, directing it down to make it too difficult for the keeper.

READ MORE: Corners Send Timbers to MLS is Back Final

Twelve minutes later and the tournament hosts had it back on level terms. Nani continued his excellent form sending it into the box before a mess of bodies held the ball up. That allowed Mauricio Pereyra, the intended target, to regather and put it away.

PTFC got back in front in the 66th minute with a first club goal for Dario Zuparic. Valeri’s corner went deep, allowing Jeremy Ebobisse to gather it and find Zuparic, who was open, allowing him to score with a tap-in.

Highlights: Orlando City SC v Portland Timbers – MLS is Back Final – August 11 2020

The Timbers started the stronger side, but some strong defending from the Lions kept the match scoreless until the 27th.

After conceding the Orlando offense seemed to come to life and pushed hard to find an equalizer, starting to see more of the ball and didn’t take long to get back on level terms.

READ MORE: Orlando City Downs LAFC on Penalties

As the second half started, it quickly fell into the same pattern as the first. Portland came out controlling things for the early stages but couldn’t make that possession count until after the hour mark.

There’s still a chance that Orlando could qualify for the Champions League. The standard MLS routes are open again, but should the season not complete, MLS is Back might be used, and being the runner up would send the Lions through.

(Photo courtesy: Jared Martinez, Matt Stith & Devin L’Amoreaux)

OCB Picks up First win of 2020 Downing 10 Man Revs II

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Orlando City B secured its first win of the season with a 2-0 win over New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on Friday.

Moises Tablante was vital in the match, assisting on both goals to boost OCB up the standings. The first goal came in the 66th minute. USF graduate Jonathan Rosales found Tablante, who was able to set up Wilfredo Rivera. The second came in stoppage time when Tablante managed to retain possession under pressure and squared the ball in for Kenji Tanaka, who headed it home, completing the win and a phenomenal performance for the Orlando City academy.

New England was dominating the match, but in the 38th minute, things changed. Ryo Shimazaki earned his second yellow card after pulling back Tablante.

Highlights: – New England Revolution II v Orlando City B – USL League One – August 7 2020

Until that point, the baby Revs were dominating the match and looking like they’d surely win the game. With eight shots, the only thing stopping New England was its own inaccuracy, shooting off target for six of those shots. That kept OCB in the match, and in the second half, the Young Lions would capitalize on their man advantage.

The second half was a completely different game with Orlando looking dangerous and had some excellent early looks. Six minutes into the half Julian Kennedy put his header just wide of goal before Tablante forced a stunning save, he looked up and shot only for Joseph Rice to make a save at full stretch in the 57th minute.

It was all Orlando, and they managed a critical win to get off the mark for the season. The win lifts OCB to seventh while New England Revolution II goes to the bottom of the league, yet to score a match.

(Photo: USL League One)

Rowdies Score Three to Sink Miami

MIAMI – The Tampa Bay Rowdies extended their undefeated streak and won the first Floridan derby against Miami FC 3-0 at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Friday night.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the 38th minute through captain Sebastian Guenzatti. He controlled the ball and then ran into the box, unleashing a powerful shot that left the keeper with no chance, scoring his fourth goal of the season.

The result was sealed five minutes from time when Malik Johnson scored the Rowdies’ second. Jordan Doherty’s pass perfectly found Johnson, who was able to finish to make it 2-0.

Read More: Captain Guenzatti Leads Rowdies Past Battery

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, a corner allowed Juan Tejada to put the icing on the cake. Lewis Hilton sent in the corner, finding Tejada who headed it home.

Miami FC started the match well, generating early chances through the first 15 minutes, including four corners in a row but couldn’t make those chances count.

The Rowdies suffered a blow in the 19th minute, losing Leo Fernandes to injury. Fernandes has had a significant impact since the return from COVID-19, but in Max Lachowecki Tampa Bay had an able replacement.

Highlights: Miami FC v Tampa Bay Rowdies – USL Championship – August 7 2020

In truth the score somewhat flatters Tampa Bay, Miami played well, especially in the first half but couldn’t find the net. Vincent Bezecourt looked dangerous but was unable to make his opportunities count.

Miami’s best chance came in the 61st minute from a Harrison Heath free-kick. Heath hit a stunning strike, seemingly destined for the back of the net only for Rowdies keeper Evan Louro to leap at full stretch and make the save.

With the win, the Rowdies extend their lead at the top of the group to seven points while Miami FC continues to look for its first USL Championship point.

(Photo: Miami FC)

Nani Brace Sends Orlando City Into Final

BAY LAKE – Orlando City SC has qualified for its first final since the 2013 USL Pro Championship following a 2-1 win over Minnesota United on Thursday night. Nani was the star, scoring two goals in six minutes to win the match.

Orlando opened the scoring in the 36th minute thanks to a long ball from Robin Jansson. It was a perfect ball from Jansson for Nani who was left with a simple finish to put Orlando in charge.

Nani scored his, and his team’s, second two minutes before halftime, just outside the box he took a touch to create space and hit a perfectly curled strike to double the lead.

Read More: Orlando City Downs LAFC on Penalties

With seven minutes to play Minnesota got back into the match, Kevin Molino’s through ball set up the chance. Molino found Mason Toye, who timed his run perfectly allowing him to finish efficiently past the keeper.

That chance ended in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Orlando took advantage of the Loons being forward to find the equalizer. A quick counter finished when Benji Michel rounded the keeper and passed the ball into the back of the net.

After an almost 90-minute weather delay kickoff finally came just before 9:30 p.m. and both sides started slowly. That was probably more due to the importance of the match than the delay messing with preparations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dACVR33fWjQ
Goals: Orlando City SC v Minnesota United – MLS is Back Semifinal – August 6 2020

The Lions had a quality first chance in the 15th minute. Nani found Ruan who was able to cross for Tesho Akindele who shot wide.

Minnesota made three changes just before the hour mark, after doing little to threaten the Orlando defense to that point in the first half. Two of those subs combined for the Loons’ lone goal.

In the 75th minute, Minnesota United could have got on the board. A free-kick from Raheem Edwards seemed destined for the top corner only for Pedro Gallese to get to it and make the save.

Read More: Corners Send Timbers to MLS is Back Final

Minnesota pushed for the last five minutes and stoppage time, but all the huffing and puffing didn’t count.

It was the first win for the Lions over the Loons in club history. The final will pit Orlando against the Portland Timbers for the MLS is Back Championship on Tuesday night.

(Photo courtesy: Jared Martinez, Matthew Stith, Devin L’Amoreaux)

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