Controlling the first ball key to Rowdies win over Red Bulls II

MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Needing a win to get back on track the Tampa Bay Rowdies got it against New York Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park on Friday night. A few things were vital to this but most of all the key was winning duels, leading to control of the first movement of the ball which allowed them to do more to dictate the match.

For the first time in several matches, the Rowdies won the majority of duels, winning 52.8 percent overall and 53.3 percent in the air. That allowed them to control how the phases of play would start and they were able to thus dictate how much of the game was played.

Continuing with more offensive work, Tampa Bay was more selective and patient to go along with things duels. Of the 13 shots, the visitors had, 11 were inside the box. This was a needed change to how things have been going in the recent losses.

Shot comparison: Rowdies shots on the left, New York on the right

By comparison, the defense restricted NYRBII to taking half of their shots from outside the box. Even the shots the Baby Bulls managed from inside the box were right on the edge of the area.

That defense was vital, the Red Bulls were restricted to mostly playing in their own half and rarely got forward into the final third. That was part of what forced those shots to be from where they were. It also saw the Rowdies restrict the NYRBII passing accuracy in their half. When in their own half the Red Bulls managed 72.4 percent accuracy but once halfway was crossed it was just 57.7 percent.

Recoveries made by the Rowdies in the match

The most pleasing part of the defensive effort was how it happened further up the pitch. When the Rowdies lost possession they recovered quickly and saw recoveries happening as far as the edge of the final third rather than only in their own half.

It’s just one match but there were some signs that tactically the worst may be behind the Rowdies and if this can continue they’ll be back to their best form again.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

What’s gone wrong for the Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG — From flying high and dominating opponents the Tampa Bay Rowdies have fallen with strings of losses separated by only one win at a time. So what’s changed? Looking at the data we can see a few key differences that may explain things, but ultimately it may be that the teams have been figured out the Rowdies who are getting too predictable.

There’s been a big decrease in shooting accuracy. In the last three losses that statistic didn’t get above 30 percent while that was fairly common in the early season wins. It was most stark in this weekend’s loss where the Rowdies only managed a 7.7 percent shooting accuracy, which obviously makes winning very difficult.

That largely comes from the choices being made from the Rowdies attack, early in the season most of the shots being taken were inside the box. That now is not the case, most shots are coming from outside of the box. This shows one of two things, either the decision-making is poor or the opposing defenses have figured something out about Tampa Bay.

That thing might be how the Rowdies play. In the most recent three matches, the heat maps show a worrying trend. The green and gold are being bogged down to using the wings in midfield. That has made them predictable and easy for opponents to prevent the ball from getting forward, thus forcing the Rowdies to shoot from distance.

Another issue has been what the Rowdies do with the ball. In the latest loss, the Rowdies gave away 18 interceptions which isn’t much more than they had early in the year. But what is different is that they’re not getting that ball back like they used to so they’re not recovering from those errors.

The biggest difference is coming on when play starts. On duels, the Rowdies have gone from dominating contests to now barely winning half of them, and in most recent matches not even getting that many. The knock-on effect of this is that the Rowdies then can’t control the play early and set the tempo, something the team thrives on.

None of this is something that can’t be changed, yes the shape may need a fundamental change to fix that predictability but it’s all fixable. It’s also not time to hit the panic button despite the sensationalist headline. The “bad situation” the Rowdies are in now is merely that they’re second in the division, the club will almost certainly make the Playoffs and that is exactly when things need to be working.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

Orlando Pride manage draw to begin Becky Burleigh Era

CARY, N.C. — For the first time in Orlando Pride history a new coach opened with a point as Orlando Pride secured a 1-1 draw with North Carolina Courage at Wake Med Soccer Park on Saturday night.

An interception in the back allowed Orlando to open the scoring in the 50th minute. Ali Krieger stole possession and ran through the North Carolina half allowing her to send it to her left for Sydney Leroux who fired her shot perfectly out of the reach of the keeper.

That lead would only last for two minutes as Meredith Speck was able to find Brittany Ratcliffe who scored easily, which would end up being the last goal of the match.

Highlights: North Carolina Courage v Orlando Pride – NWSL – July 31 2021

Interim Head Coach Becky Burleigh rung the changes, setting up a new formation with three at the back, which was the first time the team had played in that shape all year.

“It’s really impressive that this group played a system that they hadn’t played, basically on really two days of training and the way they really put a lot of effort into what we did,” said the new Head Coach.

Burleigh only had a week to work on the new shape so a point was impressive given a complete overhaul, especially given that it came on the road.

The point gets the Pride more on track with 17 points, just one point adrift of a playoffs place.

Photo courtesy Orlando Pride

Poor second half sees Rowdies give up top spot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Independence managed its first win at its new home as they managed a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

The deadlock was broken in the second minute of the second half after Lawrence Wyke lost possession in midfield. That allowed prolific scorer Dane Kelly to race to the ball and get there first and then beat Evan Louro in a one-on-one situation.

Things were sealed in the 62nd minute when another Rowdies defensive lapse saw Irvin Parra bounce. The Rowdies backline failed to clear a corner and Parra pounced stabbing home the winning goal.

“At 0-0, there was nothing in the game. It was fine,” said Rowdies Head Coach Collins after the match. “Then we have a really poor turnover and a couple other mistakes after that and then you find yourself down 1-0 on the road and you have an uphill climb. I thought the 10 minutes after we lost the goal was poor and we let the game get completely away from us when it went 2-nil.”

It was all just a second-half collapse from the Tampa Bay defense. Things were going well in the first half and the Rowdies may have just been the better side but just couldn’t make any chances count.

In the second half, it was all Charlotte, controlling possession and the only clear chances in the half came at Louro’s goal.

Highlights: Charlotte Independence v Tampa Bay Rowdies – USL Championship – July 31 2021

To compound, the disappointment felt in Saint Petersburg the poor run of form from Tampa Bay has allowed the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to take the top spot in the division.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

Miami manage back to back Rowdies wins

MIAMI — The Tampa Bay Rowdies slide has continued as Miami FC managed a 2-1 win in the Florida Derby at FIU Stadium on Saturday night, the third straight loss for the Rowdies.

Neil Collins made heavy changes coming into the match, including benching captain Sebastian Guenzatti allowing Forrest Lasso to lead the side.

Miami opened the scoring early. It all came thanks to a poor pass from Conner Antley in the defensive third allowing Ariel Martinez to run into the left of the box. That forced Evan Louro to try and close down space but Martinez sent it past him. Lasso tried to clear the ball off the line but his effort was futile.

In the 34th minute, Miami doubled its lead as Pierre Da Silva made a long run into the corner and then crossed for Othello Bah who powered it home.

The Rowdies had a chance late after they found a goal to get back into the match. Sebastian Dalgaard sent in a long cross into the box that Leo Fernandes chested down before slamming the ball into the net off a half volley.

Highlights: Miami FC v Tampa Bay Rowdies – USL Championship – July 18 2021

Tampa Bay could have been on level terms three minutes after the opening goal. Laurence Wyke made a long run into the box and beat the keeper. His shot seemed destined for the back of the net but could only find the post.

In the second half Collins rung the changes, bringing on Guenzatti, Yann Ekra, and Sebastian Dalgaard. Guenzatti and Dalgaard were vital as they combined for a chance in the 55th minute as Dalgaard found Guenzatti who hit a diving header but it was denied by a strong Connor Sparrow save.

The loss is the Rowdies’ third straight while the win was Miami’s third straight. This result has tightened up the top of the Atlantic Division. While Tampa Bay is still top, it’s now level with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on 24 points with Miami just one point behind. That said there’s still plenty of distance between that trio and Charlotte Independence, eight points clear of missing out of the playoffs.

Photo courtesy Miami FC

Costa Rica comes from behind to overcome Suriname

ORLANDO — Giving up a shock goal only made Costa Rica stronger, and seven minutes later they were in front, managing a 2-1 win over Suriname at Exploria Stadium on Friday night and sealing their place in the knockout stages of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

The underdogs took the lead in the 52nd minute when Damil Dankerlui cut the ball in for Gleofilo Vlijter whose first touch nearly got away from him but he recovered before the Costa Ricans could manage to clear it, allowing him to slam it home for Suriname’s first Gold Cup goal.

Just six minutes later Costa Rica equalized thanks to a stunning cross from Ronald Matarrita who swung a floating ball into the box. That allowed Joel Campbell to run onto the ball and head it home after using his strength to head it home.

Another minute later it was 2-1 for Costa Rica thanks to a Celso Borges tap-in. Borges was the quickest to react after Joel Campbell’s shot was saved only for Borges to run onto the ball and slam it home.

Highlights: Suriname v Costa Rica – Concacaf Gold Cup – July 17 2021

The first half was tight with Costa Rica having the better of the chances but struggling to challenge for the goal, which kept it scoreless at the break.

With 16 minutes to play Suriname was stepping on the gas and nearly found a goal with an effort from Dion Malone just missing the goal.

Things got tight for Costa Rica in the 86th minute as Francisco Calvo was shown a straight red card for making contact with Ryan Donk’s face to create a nervous final four minutes but they held on to win and advance.

Photo courtesy Concacaf

Jamaica manages late winner

ORLANDO — Jamaica gave away an early own goal but came back scoring a late winner to manage a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe in the Gold Cup at Exploria Stadium on Friday night.

Four minutes into the match Guadeloupe had a lead after a strong run from Dimitri Ramothe saw him charging into the box. That saw Amari’i Bell try to stop the effort but he could only put it in the back of his own net.

Ten minutes later and Jamaica was back on level terms. Some slick passing had the Gwada Boys backline scrambling which allowed Cory Burke to hit a powerful shot from outside the box leaving the goalkeeper stranded.

Three minutes from time the pressure from the Reggae Boyz finally told. Leon Bailey was able to get in the box and set up Junior Flemmings who was able to use his footwork to create space and put it past the keeper for the winner.

Goal: Jamaica v Guadeloupe – Concacaf Gold Cup – July 16 2021

Once the own goal went in Jamaica went for it, attacking the ball and constantly setting up chances for the favorites. The equalizer could have come in the 8th minute when a free-kick was unleashed but a little far out to trouble keeper.

Chances were still coming for Guadeloupe with Matthias Phaeton pulling the strings in midfield to try and find a second goal for the unfancied French side. He went the closest in the 23rd minute to getting a second goal for them, hitting a powerful strike from distance, denied by a strong Andre Blake save.

It was slick passing that was opening opportunities up for Jamaica and that would eventually be what got the side the win. There would have been more goals if not for some stunning goalkeeping from Yohann Thuram who very nearly put in a match-saving performance.

With the result, Jamaica is all but through to the next stage while Guadeloupe would need a stunning reversal in fortunes to advance.

Photo courtesy Concacaf

Rowdies drop second straight match

ST PETERSBURG — A 23rd-minute goal proved enough for Hartford Athletic managing to hold on for a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday night.

The goal came off an impressive long-ball, Preston Tabort Etaka gathered the long ball and then swung it in for Derek Dodson to head home down out of the reach of Evan Louro.

Things could have been very different if the Rowdies cashed in on their opening chance of the night. Early in the match, Dayonn Harris set up Sebastian Guenzatti but the captain could only lift the ball over the bar.

In the 19th minute, Guenzatti got even closer, finding the woodwork after he cut back with the ball, the ball bouncing out off the post, just four minutes later his team was punished for that miss.

Highlights: Tampa Bay Rowdies v Hartford Athletic – USL Championship – July 13 2021

Right before halftime, a clever backheel from Leo Fernandes was a golden opportunity but it went wide of goal. Following that close chance, Guenzatti had two headers that were very well saved to keep it scoreless at the break.

After the team talks Tampa Bay continued to dominate possession and control the match, but again just couldn’t make that count.

Laurence Wyke came off the bench to try and change things for the hosts but he couldn’t have that impact. He hit a powerful shot not long after coming on the match but couldn’t keep it down.

Seven minutes from time was the best chance the Rowdies had all night. Zach Steinberger gathered possession from a failed clearance and shot but the keeper did well to make the stop.

It was a stunning performance from Jeff Caldwell in the Hartford net, earning his side all three points as he made multiple impressive saves in stoppage time.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

Miami beats Rowdies on late goal

MIAMI – Miami FC has managed its first USL Championship win over in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies with a 2-1 win at FIU Stadium on Wednesday night.

Both goals for Miami came on set-pieces, taking full advantage of some unusual mistakes from their opponents to get the win.

The opening goal came in the 21st minute when the hosts regathered possession from a corner and Richard Ballard to swing the ball into the box for Pierre Da Silva to set up a wide-open Adonijah Reid who tapped it home.

That would be all the scoring in the first half and in the second the Rowdies came back to level it, scoring in the 51st minute. Lewis Hilton sent in a big free-kick for Jordan Scarlett who was able to head home the goal, his first of the season.

Usually, a goal for the Rowdies spurs them on but that didn’t happen here, and in the 77th minute Miami had the winner. Again Tampa Bay failed to clear a corner completely which allowed Christian Francois to cross in for Callum Chapman-Page who made no mistake at the far post.

Highlights: Miami FC v Tampa Bay Rowdies – USL Championship – July 7 2021

It wasn’t all bad defensively for the visitors. Evan Louro was at his best in the early stages to prevent Reid from scoring the opener sooner than he did. Reid got past the Rowdies’ defense but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper who made a strong save.

10 minutes in the Rowdies could have opened the scoring as Max Lachowecki hit it powerfully but an acrobatic save from Connor Sparrow kept the match scoreless.

In stoppage time Tampa Bay felt they had a shout for a penalty after a handball but the referee deemed it unintentional and Miami held on for the win.

Photo courtesy Miami FC/Orovio Photography

Florida MLS Week 11 Notebook

DC United 7 Toronto FC 1

Highlights DC United v Toronto FC – MLS – July 3 2021

History was made in Toronto FC’s loss to DC United, with a 7-1 result it was the worst loss in club history.

With goals in the second and eighth minutes, there was a hint of bad things to come, but the Canadians were still in the match until Ralph Priso-Mbongue’s own goal made it a three-goal deficit in the 21st minute.

Despite pulling a goal back through Ayo Akinola in the 39th minute the writing was on the wall and after Eriq Zavaleta’s second yellow card in the 78th minute, Toronto conceded another four goals in the final nine minutes of the match.

The loss was so bad it finally spelled the end to Chris Armas’ tenure as Head Coach of Toronto FC, he’ll have an interesting footnote in club history as he’s sure to be the only Toronto FC Head Coach to never lead the team in a match in Canada.

CF Montreal 1 Inter Miami CF 0

Highlights: CF Montreal v Inter Miami CF – MLS – July 3 2021

Miami was spared having to be the away team in its own stadium for this match due to DRV PNK hosting the Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary Rounds meaning CF Montreal hosted Inter Miami CF at Red Bull Arena.

Mathieu Choinere scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute as he put away Djordje Mihailovic’s pass and shot across the face of the goal for his first professional goal.

Miami pushed hard in the second half to try and find a second goal but just couldn’t find the goal they needed to pull back into the match.

The win was Montreal’s first since May.

Orlando City SC 1 New York RedBulls 2

Highlights: Orlando City SC v New York Red Bulls – MLS – July 3 2021

A goal 11 minutes from time gave the New York Red Bulls a hard-fought win against Orlando City SC for the second time this season, the result kept Orlando from jumping to the top of the conference.

It took just six minutes for NYRB to open the scoring. Patryk Klimala played the ball for Cristian Casseres Jr who beat his defender and then hit his shot from outside the box past the keeper. That allowed the visitors to control the match but after the 15-minute mark, Orlando came back into the match.

Three minutes before the break Orlando had a golden opportunity as Mauricio Pereyra stepped up to take a penalty. His shot was saved by Carlos Coronel to keep New York in front at the break.

The Lions’ equalizer came just before the hour mark Daryl Dike won possession and crossed in for Pereyra to play it on for Chris Mueller who poked it home.

After that goal, the match became a fight and in the 72nd minute, Fabio found the winner as he ran on to a pass and slammed it home close in goal.

Photo courtesy Major League Soccer

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