JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 16, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have been eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after a 1-0 loss to the Jacksonville Armada at Southern Oak Stadium on Wednesday night.
Jacksonville’s J.C. Banks scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute to eliminate the Rowdies in the Second Round.
Tampa Bay midfielder Jack Blake looked to score an early goal for the Rowdies, firing a rocket on frame from over 30 yards out, but Armada goalkeeper Brian Holt was able to make a save.
The Rowdies were able to dominate possession for most of the first half but they wouldn’t create another dangerous chance until the 27th minute. Forward Sebastian Guenzatti was able to slide and make contact with a Michael Nanchoff cross, but the shot trickled wide right.
The match would open up as it inched closer to halftime, with Jacksonville have several chances late. Defender Wesley Charpie sent in a low cross to Joshua Castellanos, but goalkeeper Cody Mizell extended his right arm to poke it out of the way of the oncoming Armada player.
Midfielder J.C. Banks had the last chance of the half, taking a shot from far out. His shot trickled wide left after beating a stretching Mizell.
Despite creating early chances, the Rowdies found themselves down 1-0 after 58 minutes. Banks found himself past the Rowdies back line and was able to net his shot past Mizell.
The Rowdies had numerous opportunities minutes later but the Armada back line held on to keep the home team up 1-0. Defender Zac Portillos came very close to equalizing the match, but his thunderous strike blasted off the cross bar and was cleared out.
With the minutes winding down, Tampa Bay threw numbers forward but were unable to find the goal that would force extra time.
Scoring Summary
Jacksonville: JC Banks – 58th minute
Caution Summary
Tampa Bay: Leo Fernandes – 14th minute
Jacksonville: Michael Melvin – 27th minute
Tampa Bay: Jack Blake – 62nd minute
Tampa Bay: Michael Nanchoff – 69th minute
Jacksonville: Drew Beckie – 90+ minute
Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-3-3): GK Cody Mizell; D Max Lachowecki, Hunter Gorskie, Neill Collins (c), Zac Portillos; M Jack Blake, Michael Nanchoff (Joe Cole 75′), Lance Rozeboom; F Junior Flemmings (Georgi Hristov 67′), Sebastian Guenzatti (Jochen Graf 80′), Leo Fernandes
Jacksonville Armada XI (4-5-1): GK Brian Holt; D Wesley Charpie, Mechack Jerome, Drew Beckie, Michael Melvin; M Joshua Castellanos (Camilo Portilla 69′), Conor Doyle (Christian Silva 90′), Yuma, JC Banks, Derek Gebhard (Alhassane Keita 80′); F Ciaran Kilduff
