CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 14, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies lost 2-0 to FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at Nippert Stadium. Two second-half goals gave the home side the victory, keeping them first in the USL Eastern Conference standings.
Midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma and forward Danni Konig scored the goals for the home side, coming in the 54th and 84th minutes, respectively.
Despite both clubs having their chances in the first half, neither was able to get on the scoresheet, with both goalkeepers making several saves to keep their teams in the match.
Rowdies forward Junior Flemmings had the first clear chance of the match in the 12th minute, finding his way past defender Forrest Lasso to put his strike on frame. Despite the powerful shot by the Jamaican, goalkeeper Evan Newton was in perfect position to make a comfortable save.
Minutes later, Cincinnati came inches from getting a goal of their own off a terrific free kick by midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma. His curling free kick had goalkeeper Cody Mizell beat, but luckily for the Rowdies it went just over the crossbar.
The home side had yet another chance in the 31st minute, with midfielder Corben Bone firing a shot from just outside the box. Mizell was forced to dive to his right and punch it out for a corner kick.
Cincinnati kept applying the pressure as the minutes passed, with Danni Konig getting a chance in the 41st minute. Leaping over the Tampa Bay defense, the Danish forward was unable to get his header on frame as it bounced just wide of the goal.
Right before halftime, Flemmings found himself in front of goal after making a fantastic solo run down the right side of the field. But just like his first shot, Newton made a great save and sent it out for a corner.
FC Cincinnati came close to scoring the first goal of the match in the 49th minute, but midfielder Dominic Oduro was on the line to head it out. However minutes later, the home side would find its first goal.
As the match entered the 54th minute, Ledesma found space behind defender Hunter Gorskie and headed it past Mizell to make it 1-0.
After picking up the assist on the first goal, Bone nearly doubled the lead four minutes later but his shot smashed off the cross bar keeping it 1-0 for the home side.
Despite searching for the equalizer, the Rowdies would go down 2-0 in the 84th minutes. A perfectly-executed counter attack by substitute Emery Welshman led to Danni Konig’s ninth goal of the season.
For the first time in five official matches, FC Cincinnati was able to defeat the Rowdies.
Tampa Bay returns home on Saturday, July 21 to host Indy Eleven at Al Lang Stadium. For tickets, call 727-222-2000 or click here.
Scoring Summary
Cincinnati: Emmanuel Ledesma – 54th minute (assisted by Corben Bone)
Cincinnati: Danni König – 84th minute (assisted by Emery Welshman)
Caution Summary
Tampa Bay: Junior Flemmings – 23rd minute
Cincinnati: Emmanuel Ledesma – 63rd minute
Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-4-2): GK Cody Mizell; D Kyle Porter, Tamika Mkandawire, Hunter Gorskie, Max Lachowecki; M Afrim Taku (Leo Fernandes 61′), Dom Oduro, Kwadwo Poku (Leon Taylor 71′), Joe Cole (c); F Junior Flemmings, Stefano Bonomo (Georgi Hristov 77′)
FC Cincinnati XI (4-2-3-1): GK Evan Newton; D Blake Smith (Matt Bahner 90+), Forrest Lasso, Dekel Keinan (C), Justin Hoyte; M Michael Lahoud, Kenney Walker; M Corben Bone, Nazmi Albadawi (Jimmy McLaughlin 89′), Emmanuel Ledesma (Emery Welshman 84′); F Danni König
