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Look Back Part 1 FCTB @ Baltimore on April 16th

The following is part one of the “Best 10 of 2010” series, which is taking a look back at FC Tampa Bay’s best games of the inaugural season. 

In the first game of the inaugural season, FC Tampa Bay beat Crystal Palace Baltimore on the road 1-0.  Forward Aaron King scored the first goal of the season and the reborn franchise.

Perry Van Der Beck On The Match: 
“What an exciting way for us to start off our inaugural season with a road win. As this was the first game for the storied franchise, the team played with a lot of heart to earn the victory. It was especially great to see forward Aaron King score the first of many goals that he would score throughout the season.” 

Game Recap:
In the first half of the opener, FC Tampa Bay powered through the downpour and battled against Baltimore, who had strong chances with the wind at their backs.  But the Tampa back line stood firm against the pressure and helped turn the game to the attack.  Fighting through the rain FC Tampa Bay controlled about 70 percent of the possession but was not able to find the back of the net in the first half.  

The team had multiple scoring opportunities, including a tough header to beat goalkeeper Evan Bush off a corner kick, but a lone Baltimore defender on the goal line made a great stop to keep the game scoreless.

FC Tampa Bay returned to the field for the second half with one thing in mind – to score. In the 64th minute, forward Aaron King, substituted in just one minute prior, received a beautiful chip by Jeremy Christie and drilled the ball into the bottom right of the net for FC Tampa Bay's first goal of the season and the eventual game-winner.

“It’s an amazing feeling to get the first game under our belts,” said King. “We have a few things to work on for our next game but that first win makes all the difference for us.”

While King will always have the honor of scoring the first goal of the inaugural season, goalkeeper Daryl Sattler will be remembered for recording the first shutout for the franchise.