FC Tampa Bay dropped a 4-0 decision at FC Edmonton Tuesday night at Foote Field.
FC Edmonton took advantage of its opportunities throughout the game and handed FC Tampa Bay the worst defeat in its two-year history. With the loss, FC Tampa Bay saw its three-match unbeaten streak come to an end, and FC Edmonton extended its unbeaten stretch to four consecutive games.
"Obviously it is not good enough, especially in the manner of how we conceded the goals tonight," said FC Tampa Bay head coach Ricky Hill. "We struggled to get clear cut chances. And I expect a great deal better from each and every one of the players; I expect us to not fold and concede goals the way we did."
FCTB was already playing without injured defenders Andres Arango and Omar Jarun, and then lost forward Warren Ukah with a gash to his head and midfielder Chad Burt to a foot injury in the first 35 minutes of the match. And defender JP Rodrigues, who had played in every minute of the first eight matches, limped off the pitch with a knee injury with about 15 minutes remaining in the game.
"The injuries early on were disappointing but the team that was out there was still capable of going out and competing," said Hill. "We conceded three very poor goals from a team defensive perspective and that cannot continue."
After some back and forth play early on, FC Edmonton forward Kyle Yamada took advantage of a defensive breakdown and streaked down the left side in the 28th minute. His shot ricocheted off the left post to a wide open Kyle Porter in front of the net, who easily put the ball in for a 1-0 lead.
"I was very happy up until that first goal, which was a ridiculous state of affairs," said Hill. "To have a corner kick at one end and then allow a three on one breakaway against Jeff cannot happen. It was a very, very poor play."
Less than 10 minutes later, Yamada was in the middle of another score for FC Edmonton. FC Tampa Bay attempted to clear the ball out of the box, but a deflection landed on the feet of Yamada, who put it away for a 2-0 lead.
FC Tampa Bay came out of the locker room after halftime determined to get off a good start. Forward Tsuyoshi Yoshitake had a golden opportunity in the 53rd minute, but his header off a cross from defender David Hayes bounced off the post. And midfielder Keith Savage launched a left-footed strike in the 58th minute, but Rein Baart was there for the save.
FC Edmonton put the match away in the final 10 minutes. FC Edmonton midfielder Shaun Saiko parlayed a nice give and go with Michael Cox into a 85th minute score and Shawn Chin closed out the match with a strike past FCTB rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella in the 88th minute.
FC Tampa Bay travels home on Wednesday and then starts a two-match homestand this Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. against the league-leading Carolina RailHawks at Al Lang Stadium on Wellspring Pharmaceutical Title Night.
FC Tampa Bay lineup: GK Jeff Attinella, D Frankie Sanfilippo (Captain), D JP Rodrigues (Aaron King 78'), D David Hayes, D Takuya Yamada, M Chad Burt (Shane Hill 35'), M Keith Savage, M Mozzi Gyorio, M Mike Ambersley, F Warren Ukah (Pascal Millien 21'), F Tsuyoshi Yoshitake
FC Edmonton lineup: GK Rein Baart, D Antonio Rago, D Paul Hamilton, D Paul Matthijs, D Niko Saler, M Shaun Saiko, M Chris Kooy (Captain), M Dominic Oppong, F Kyle Porter, F Paul Craig (Shawn Chin 75'), F Kyle Yamada (Michael Cox 56')
Scoring Summary:
FC Edmonton: Kyle Porter - 28th minute (assisted by Kyle Yamada)
FC Edmonton: Kyle Yamada - 37th minute
FC Edmonton: Shaun Saiko - 85th minute (assisted by Michael Cox)
FC Edmonton: Shawn Chin - 88th minute
Cautions:
None
Ejections:
None
Final Stats:
FCTB: 6 Shots, 9 Saves, 3 Corner Kicks, 13 Fouls
EDM: 14 Shots, 3 Saves, 8 Corner Kicks, 10 Fouls
Attendance:
1,838
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