ST PETERSBURG, FL – The Tampa Bay Rowdies claimed a victory in their first game of the preseason on Saturday at Al Lang, besting Florida International University’s men’s soccer program 3-1. Rowdies veteran Lucky Mkosana opened the scoring with an early strike, while newcomers Jake LaCava and Kyle Greig each notched a goal.
Following last Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, the matchup with FIU was the first competitive one for the Rowdie since preseason camp opened on January 31. All in all, Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins was pleased with the early signs showed by this year’s squad.
“Loads of positives to take, in terms of getting the fitness under our belts, some really good individual moments and collective moments for the team, but then of course so many things to work on. You wouldn’t expect anything else. If we were perfect on our first day of preseason, it wouldn’t leave much of anywhere to go. The attitude was good against a really, really well-coached and difficult opponent. I don’t think we could’ve asked for a tougher game in our first preseason game. It was really competitive, so that will stand us in good stead.”
Right wing back Conner Antley initiated the first scoring sequence of the afternoon for the Rowdies, driving in from the right side of the box before driving a pass to Mksona in front of the net. The seasoned striker made the most of the early chance in the 6th minute and buried the ball into the back of the net.
The visitors then found an equalizer in the 16th minute, as an FIU attacker took a hopeful shot from far out that hit the mark in the top right corner.
After FIU leveled things, the Rowdies began to take hold of the action. FIU was limited from taking any more meaningful looks the rest of the game and the Rowdies consistently put them under pressure.
LaCava put the Rowdies back out in front just five minutes after FIU’s striker. The Rowdies attacker streaked down FIU’s half all alone, dribbling past the last defender and keeper before depositing the ball into the net.
Greig then added a third goal to seal the game in the 75th minute, as Yann Ekra slipped into the box and chipped a cross to the back post. Greig was waiting to hammer the service home.
“When you talk about positives, three forward players scored – Lucy, Kyle, and Jake. I mean, no surprises to see any of those guys scoring the way that they’ve trained the first two weeks. So they’ve been able to take that into the game,’ said Collins. “We could’ve had more. We could’ve capitalized on some great opportunities we created in the second half. We would expect in a game where you’re getting those kinds of opportunities, good crosses into the box, to capitalize on those positions. I thought we restricted them well, as well. In between both boxes, there’s lots to work on.”
Next Saturday, the Rowdies continue their preseason with an away trip to MLS’ Orlando City for another closed door match. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm. Stay tuned to @RowdiesGameday on Twitter for live updates.
Rowdies First Half XI: Raiko Arozarena; Jordan Scarlett, Timmy Mehl, Brandon Terwege (trialist); Conner Antley, Lewis Hilton, Jake Areman, Sebastian Dalgaard; Jake LaCava, Steevan Dos Santos, Lucky Mkosana
Rowdies Second Half XI: CJ Cochran; Terwege, Antley, Tate Johnson (TBU Soccer); Dayonn Harris, Yann Ekra, Feres Sahid (TBU Soccer), Leo Fernandes; Juan Tejada, Kyle Greig, Sebastian Guenzatti
