News

Rowdies Draw 1-1 Against Atlanta Silverbacks

Posted on Sat, Sep 8, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (September 8, 2012) -- The Tampa Bay Rowdies tied 1-1 against the Atlanta Silverbacks Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies played a man down for over 20 minutes as defender Eddy Ababio received his second yellow card of the match and was ejected in the 67th minute.

Atlanta scored in the 30th minute after forward Matt Horth trickled the ball past Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, scoring his ninth of the season.

In the 42nd minute the Rowdies scored the tying goal after defender Takuya Yamada picked up a rebound and was able to get a shot off. Atlanta goalkeeper Eric Ati got a hand on the shot but was unable to make the save. The goal was Yamada’s third goal of the season.

"It was hard to get the ball in with all the players scrambled in the box," said Yamada. "I looked to put the ball in a corner and luckily it went in. We tried to have a solid back line today even with the two regular starters out of the line up. It was ough, but we picked up a point that is important for us going into the playoffs."

In the 8th minute, the Rowdies had their first chance on goal. Midfielder/forward Evans Frimpong picked up a rebound but his shot went over the bar from six yards out.

The Rowdies continued to pressure the Silverbacks and in the 12th minute forward Mike Ambersley made a great individual run. His powerful strike went just wide of the left post.

In the 30th minute, Horth took advantage of the Rowdies defensive mistake. On the break away, Horth slipped it past Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Atinella putting the Silverbacks up 1-0.

"We have to work on being a sharper team," said Rowdies head coach Ricky Hill. "We must be a more condensed team and not have those moments where we lose concentration and we give up easy goals. It is crucial that all our players try to be error free, especially our goalkeeper and our back four. I was pleased that our players did not drop their heads after the goal and they kept pushing forward."

The Rowdies kept their concentration looking for the tying goal and in the 40th minute, midfielder Stuart Campbell shot from 19 yards out after he received a great pass from Frimpong. His strike was sent out for a corner kick by Ati.

Tampa Bay scored the tying goal in the 42nd minute, when defender Takuya Yamada picked up a rebound in the Atlanta’s box, and shot it past Ati. The Silverbacks goalkeeper was unable to prevent the tying goal, as Yamada picked up his third goal of the season.

"I was proud of our reaction in the first half after conceding the goal," said Rowdies defender Daniel Scott. "We were relentless trying to push forward to try to even out the scoreline. Even though we got the tying goal, from a defensive stand point we have to make sure we are more compact and do a better job in covering the open spaces."

The momentum carried on in the second half, as the Rowdies looked for the goal that would put them ahead. Midfielder/forward Luke Mulholland had back to back chances in the 50th and 57th minute as both his shots from 19 yards out were saved contained by Ati.

The last chance of the match for the Rowdies came in the 84th minute, when Mulholland curled a great free kick towards the top left corner but Ati made a great diving save to his right, sending the ball out for a corner kick.

Atlanta had a great chance in injury time, when midfielder Danny Barrera took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box, but Attinella dove to his right and was able to deflect the ball out for a corner kick.

"In the second half we managed to have several chances on their goal, but their goalkeeper was able to control our shots," said Hill. "When Eddie was sent off, Atlanta was desperately trying to win and so were we because we wanted the three points. That being said, being a man down is not easy and I am proud of the effort our players put forward, always looking for the game-winner."

Tampa Bay remains unbeaten in their last nine at home, including five wins and have lost just two game of their last 14 regular season matches.

The Rowdies will visit FC Edmonton on Sunday, September 16 at Clarke Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 4:10 p.m. (ET).

Scoring Summary
Atlanta: Matt Horth - 30th minute
Tampa Bay: Takuya Yamada - 42nd minute

Caution Summary
Atlanta: Borfor Carr - 87th minute

Ejection Summary
Tampa Bay: Eddie Ababio - 67th minute

Tampa Bay Rowdies
GK Jeff Attinella, D Eddie Ababio, D Daniel Scott, D Takuya Yamada, D Andres Arango, M Stuart Campbell (Captain), M Shane Hill (Dan O'Brien 86'), M Evans Frimpong (Raphael Cox 69'), M Luke Mulholland, F Daniel Antoniuk (Matt Clare 69'), F Mike Ambersley

Atlanta Silverbacks
GK Eric Ati, D Martyn Lancaster (Captain), D Beto Navarro (Jose Burciaga Jr. 67'), D Chris Klute, D Shane Moroney, M Lucas Paulini (Tony McManus 80'), M Danny Barrera, M Borfor Carr, F Reinaldo Navia, F Matt Horth, F Horace James (Pablo Cruz 70')

Final Statistics
Tampa Bay: 19 shots (8 shots on goal), 4 saves, 10 fouls, 8 corners, 6 offsides 
Atlanta: 14 shots (5 shot on goal), 7 saves, 17 fouls, 3 corners, 4 offsides

Next Home Game:
The Tampa Bay Rowdies will host the Carolina RailHawks in the final regular season home game at Al Lang Stadium on Wednesday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear retro Rowdies apparel and tickets will be available at the 1975 inaugural Rowdies price of $7.50 in General Admisson or Lower Goal Reserved seating. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the front office at 813-287-1539.