News

FC Tampa Bay held a scrimmage against the U-17 Men's National Team Saturday morning at IMG Academies in Bradenton and dropped a 2-1 decision.

Despite fielding a starting lineup of mostly backups and trialists, FC Tampa Bay grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a goal by F Aaron King in the 17th minute. M Chad Burt fed King with a well-played pass after some nice work by M Mozzi Gyorio to get the ball to Burt.

It was the second goal of the preseason for King, who led the squad and ranked third in the league last year with 12 goals. Burt has been a part of virtually every FCTB goal this preseason as he notched his fourth assist so far in 2011.

The U-17 MNT evened the score with a goal in the 33rd minute. FC Tampa Bay immediately responded with a scoring chance in the 35th minute, but F Matt Clare's header was saved on the goal line by the goalkeeper. The teams reached intermission locked in a 1-1 draw.

The U-17s took a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute, but FC Tampa Bay almost tied it immediately. Clare fed Burt for an opportunity, but Burt's one-time volley ricocheted off the post in the 51st minute.

The team continues its preseason schedule this Sunday, March 27 when it faces the University of Central Florida at 4 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex. Admission is free.

Scoring Summary:

FCTB: King (assisted by Burt) - 17'

U-17 MNT: Goal - 33'

U-17 MNT: Goal - 48'

FC Tampa Bay Lineup: GK Jeff Attinella, D David Hayes (D Andres Arango 45'), D Kyle Clinton, D Shane Hill, D Joey Lopez (D Frankie Sanfilippo 57'), M Tom Ahmed (M Tony McManus 79'), M Keith Savage (M Takuya Yamada '57), M Mozzi Gyorio, M Chad Burt, F Aaron King (F Mike Ambersley 45') and F Matt Clare (M Tsuyoshi Yoshitake 71')