BETHLEHEM, Pa. (June 22, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies scored twice in the first half and put in a professional performance to beat Bethlehem Steel FC 2-1 in a match that was not nearly as close as the final score indicates.
Juan Tejada and Sebastian Guenzatti each got on the scoresheet before halftime and the Rowdies never relinquished control of the match. Bethlehem captain James Chambers scored a penalty kick in the 91st minute to set up an interesting finish but Tampa Bay would close out the match successfully.
The win keeps the Rowdies (9-1-6, 33 points) in first place in the Eastern Conference as the halfway point of the regular season approaches. It was Tampa Bay’s fifth road win of the season, surpassing its 2018 road record with 10 away games left to play still.
Tejada netted his fifth goal of the year — and first since May 18 — after only 13 minutes of play. Zach Steinberger teed up a free kick from outside the corner of the box and the pinpoint delivery fell directly to Tejada standing six yards from goal. The young Panamian forward put it away with aplomb to give the Rowdies an early lead.
Tejada was at the heart of the attack again in the 34th minute, blistering a low shot that Bethlehem goalkeeper Matt Freese tipped onto his left-hand post, only for it to bounce right to Guenzatti on the six-yard box. Guenzatti reacted quickly and made the simple finish for his team-leading eighth goal of the year.
The Rowdies controlled the pace of play throughout the second half, though Bethlehem (4-8-4, 16 points) did come into the match a little bit after halftime. Steel FC recorded two shots on target in regulation, though both were hit softly right at McCarthy.
Tampa Bay defender Tarek Morad was adjudged to have committed a foul in the 90th minute and Steel FC was awarded a penalty kick. Captain James Chapter beat McCarthy from the spot to make the score 2-1 in the dying minutes.
Bethlehem made another desperate thrust in added time but it was ultimately not enough to avoid defeat.
The Rowdies will be back at home next weekend to take on Ottawa Fury FC on Pride Night on Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets for that match are available here. That match will be part of the second Rays to Rowdies doubleheader with the Tampa Bay Rays taking on the Texas Rangers at 4:10 p.m. the same day. Fans can purchase a special combined ticket here.
Scoring Summary
Tampa Bay: Juan Tejada – 13th minute (assisted by Zach Steinberger)
Tampa Bay: Sebastian Guenzatti – 34th minute
Bethlehem: James Chambers – 90+1 minute (penalty kick)
Caution Summary
Bethlehem: James Chambers – 29th minute
Bethlehem: Cole Turner – 50th minute
Bethlehem: Shanyder Borgelin – 54th minute
Bethlehem: Anthony Fontana – 57th minute
Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (3-5-2): GK John McCarthy; D Tarek Morad, Pape Diakite, Caleb Richards; M Malik Johnson (Shawn Barry 65′), Yann Ekra, Zach Steinberger (Leon Taylor 90+2′), Jordan Doherty, David Najem; F Sebastian Guenzatti (c), Juan Tejada (Kwadwo Poku 83′)
Bethlehem XI (4-4-2): GK Matt Freese; D Nathan Harriel, Mark McKenzie, Ben Ofeimu, Matt Real; M Issa Rayyan, Anthony Fontana (Steve Kingue 73′), Cole Turner (Chavany Willis 55′), James Chambers (c); F Zach Zandi, Shanyder Borgelin (Axel Picazo 55′)
