By TRAVIS CLARK
In a 90-minute span Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies snapped a winless streak, defeated an inter-state rival and finally scored a goal.
Tampa Bay's 2-0 win over Miami FC on Sunday put an end to a stretch of nine games without a win, dating back to May 29. The two goals, scored by Julian Valentin and Aaron King respectively, also the first goal scored since Tampa's 1-1 draw with the Blues back on July 4, a span of three full games.
The win came with a young team on the field, good signs for the club's future. The loss piled on Miami's woes, and the result combined with A.C. St. Louis' win over Baltimore consigns the Blues to the worst point total in the second division.
Here's a look at the rest of this weekend's D-2 action:
MINNESOTA DRAWS IN VANCOUVER
One point from two home games isn't the best run for Vancouver in the Northwest, drawing 1-1 against NSC Minnesota Sunday evening. It was a wild game, with the Whitecaps on top for the majority of the match — but it was the visitors that jumped out to the lead, going up in the 28th minute thanks to a Simone Bracalello tally. Captain Martin Nash equalized in the 67th minute, but the Whitecaps couldn't find the winner, having three penalty shouts turned down in the second half.
PUERTO RICO OUTLASTS ROCHESTER
The second of a three-game road trip took Rochester down to Puerto Rico, where the Rhinos found the going tough against the Islanders, going down 3-1. Nicholas Addlery tallied for the home side in the 31st minute, before an Isaac Kissi equalizer sent the game to the break at a 1-1 stalemate. Puerto Rico jumped ahead against when Rochester defender Aaron Pitchkolan was sent off for a foul in the box — David Foley scored the ensuing penalty and Kendall Jadgeosingh added the insurance goal late in the game.
ST. LOUIS DROPS BALTIMORE
Hot and muggy conditions were ever-present at the Maryland SoccerPlex — kickoff temperatures were over 100 degrees as A.C. St. Louis nicked three points over Crystal Palace Baltimore with a 1-0 win. Mike Ambersley grabbed the only goal of the game, as the humid conditions bogged the game down in the midfield. Baltimore couldn't come up with a way to best the St. Louis defense and goalie Alec Dufty, as the visitors won for just the fourth time in 2010.
Man did Puerto Rico need to win to get some momentum before heading to LA to face the Galaxy. That win couldn’t have come at a better time.
St. Louis just seems to have Baltimore’s number. What a hot miserable day Saturday was around here.
Actually, less than 1/5 is covered by dirt. But it’s still a problem, especially given the Rowdies play a possession game and try to create chances with speedy wide mid-fielders (the fullbacks are dead slow, however). It really favors the defense when the ball is bobbling around. The other problem is the dimensions, a consequence of playing on a baseball field. The pitch seems both shorter and narrower. Again, not suiting a possession game as the final third and even the midfield is more congested. Teams playing on the counter attack with a direct style create plenty of chances in Tampa, however. A purpose built stadium, perhaps sharing with USF, would be a real step forward.
Atmosphere will be even better if they start scoring goals! It livened up immensely this Sunday, whereas Thurs nite was pretty flat, apart from Ralph’s Mob. Those guys and gals must eat optimism for breakfast. Two whole months without a win and three weeks without a goal depressed the hell out of me.
Atmosphere is actually great. The grassroots supporters group, Ralph’s Mob, are loud and sing for 90 minutes nonstop.
The Yankees refused to cover the dirt portion w/ grass for the soccer games.
Lambo has maybe started 1 game, if that.
The Rowdies goalie, Daryl Sattler, is actuaally one of the better division 2 goalies. Between him, a 36 yr old Japanese midfielder, Takuya Yamada, and a currently injured striker, Aaron Wheeler, those 3 have been the best players for the Rowdies this season. Actually, the Rowdies recent losing streak coincided w/ Wheeler’s injury.
I hope the owner, Andrew Nestor, is here for the long run as investing in the Rowdies will pay dividents.
Thanks for the update. Can they not lay some sod down over the dirt? Have you been to games yourself? I think my boy Lambo is still on loan there from FC Dallas if I’m not mistaking.
Rowdies are pulling between 3,500 and 5,000 per game. Steinbrenner field , 1/4 of which is covered with dirt, and with the awkward seating set-up, is an attrocious venue for football/soccer. 1/4 of the field is virtually unplayeable.
The big test for whether the Rowdies are here to stay will be when the owners get the green light and break the ground of their own staidum…
Ives, what is your take on the whole Div. II issue? It seems some cynics in the blog-o-sphere tend to make fun of it. I think a healthy D2 is critical for our country’s continued professional development, not to mention the World Cup bid(s). I support my local D2 team as much as possible.
PR beat TFC in the preliminary round last year, but they deserved it because we sucked and we didn’t want the title of “most boring team in the CCL.”
Is the attendance reported on the NASL website for Baltimore accurate? 4802?
What was the attendance/atmosphere in Florida? If I lived in a USSF D-2 market I would definitely go to games, but I’m still interested in how they do.
How is this league going to look after the teams making the jump to MLS leave? Is this league in a good financial position? Good luck USSF D-2
LA better not tak Puerto Rico too lightly in their CCL game on Tuesday. The Islanders are ready to bring the heat.
Watching the Rowdies play at the ball park with dirt sections was a little sad. But then I remembered that it was the same for the NFL in my living memory. Good win!