ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (October 8, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies didn’t get the results they needed Saturday night to push the race for a spot in the USL Cup playoffs into the final weekend.
Tampa Bay was formally eliminated by their loss to the Charlotte Independence, but points picked up elsewhere meant that even a win may not have been enough.
For a full wrap on all the most important storylines from around the league, click here. Here’s a look at how the matches we highlighted last week turned out.
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 – 2 Charlotte Independence
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.
A pair of Charlotte goals in the first half withstood a late rally from the Rowdies in a result that actually eliminated both teams for playoff contention because of other results around the Eastern Conference.
Indy Eleven 1 – 1 Bethlehem Steel FC
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Coming into the weekend, the Rowdies needed an Indy Eleven win from this match, but it didn’t quite pan out that way for Tampa Bay. Bethlehem scored late in the first half and Indy equalized at the hour mark, but neither team was able to notch the winner. As a result, neither team clinched a playoff berth.
North Carolina FC 1 – 2 New York Red Bulls II
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.
North Carolina put its postseason chances in serious danger with a home loss to a bubble rival. Heading into the last week of play, New York sits in eighth place, but North Carolina is in 10th. Both teams play twice this week.
