ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – The Tampa Bay Rowdies ended in a 2-2 stalemate in their preseason contest against Soccer Institute at Monteverde Academy (SIMA) on Wednesday afternoon at Al Lang Stadium. Wednesday’s match was the third of six preseason matches Tampa Bay is set to play before the club opens the USL Championship season at home on Saturday March 11.
Veteran forward Lucky Mkosana nearly gave the Rowdies the lead in the opening minutes of the match, striking a powerful shot from inside the box on target that was well stymied by the visiting keeper.
SIMA was the side to strike first, though. The visitors caught the Rowdies on a counter attacker launched after successfully defending a Tampa Bay corner kick.
The Rowdies made several changes at the halftime break and managed to level the match at 1-1 only five minutes into the second half. Using a high press, the Rowdies pinned SIMA into the final third and caused a turnover. With time and space out on the right edge, wing back Conner Antley whipped in a teasing cross. Mkosana and striker Cal Jennings were both in the area to convert the chance, but it was the former who got the finishing touch on the pass.
Tampa Bay continued to control possession through most of the second half. A go-ahead goal finally came from the penalty spot in the 77th minute. Antley, again from the right wing, penetrated the box before being tripped up to draw a whistle from the referee. Newcomer JJ Williams stepped up to the spot and converted with a calm finish past the keeper.
The visitors levelled the match once again in the 86th minute with a shot from distance.
The Rowdies hit the Rowdies this Saturday for their first away trip of the year. They will face last year’s USL League One championships, South Georgia Tormenta FC at Optim Sports Medicine Field at 2 p.m. ET.
Rowdies XI: Arozarena; Antley, Kleemann, Guillen Lasso, 62′); Johnson (Castaneda, 30′), Dalgaard, Doherty (Herivaux, 62′), Ekra (Fernandes, 46′), Trenton Blake* (Dennis, 46′), Martinez (Hilton, 62′), Mkosana (Williams, 62′)
2023 Rowdies Preseason Schedule
Saturday, February 11 vs New England Revs 2 (5-1 Win)
Saturday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. vs CF Montreal (2-1 Loss)
Wednesday, February 22 vs Monteverde Academy (2-2 Draw)
Saturday, February 25, at South Georgia Tormenta FC
Tuesday, February 28, 11 am vs Orlando City B
Friday, March 3 vs USF
