ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – The Tampa Bay Rowdies fell 2-1 to Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. Newcomer Cal Jennings notched his first goal of the preseason to open the scoring in the first half before Montreal pulled ahead with two goals.
Saturday’s match capped off week three of preseason training for the Rowdies. While Montreal is set to kick off its MLS Campaign next weekend, the Rowdies are just starting ramp up the intensity of preseason camps with the start of the USL Championship three weeks away.
“We never like to lose a game, especially one I thought we probably didn’t deserve to lose,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “Keeping everything in perspective, there were a lot of positives. There were a lot of positives for the new players that played. Of course there are things we’ll need to keep working on and I think we need to get better at, but when you consider the opposition and where they’re at in their preseason it was a good performance on our part. After what was our toughest week of training so far, this was a good night’s work.”
Montreal held the edge in possession through the first half hour, yet the Rowdies were the ones to take the lead in the 29th minute. Dayonn Harris did well to beat a Montreal defender to the ball on the right edge, leaping over the defender and charging forward with the ball before finding Jennings open in the box. Jennings made the most of the moment and slipped his shot into the back of the net.
“It’s always great to get on the scoresheet,” said Jennings. “I’m grateful for the work all the team put into it, especially Dayonn. That was a great little play jumping over a defender. He made it easy for me, so I’m thankful for that. Today was a step in the right direction. I mean, it’s still early and we’re still getting our legs under us, but I know I felt better and it looked like a lot of the guys had a good game today. We’re looking to continue and look forward and make progress.”
Montreal answered Jennings goal with an equalizer four minutes later. The visitors then found their winner in the 66th minute.
Veteran Aaron Guillen and recent signing Felix Schröter both earned their first minutes preseason action in the second half of Saturday’s match. Guillen entered as a halftime substitute after being held out of last week’s preseason match as a precaution, while Schröter was making his first appearance for the Green & Gold after arriving from Germany late last week. Schröter produced the best chance of the second half, blasting a strike from inside the box that forced Montreal’s keeper into a swift reaction save at the near post.
Next up, the Rowdies will face Monteverde Academy on Wednesday, February 22.
Scoring Summary
TBR – Jennings (Harris), 29′
MTL – 33′
MTL – 66′
Rowdies Starting XI: Breno; Doherty (65′, Martinez), Herivaux, Lasso (65′, Kleemann), Johnson (46′, Guillen); Hilton, Dennis (65′, Dalgaard), Fernandes (46′, Ekra), Harris (56′, Antley); Jennings (65′, Schröter), Williams (77′, Mkosana).
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
Saturday, February 25, at South Georgia Tormenta FC
Tuesday, February 28, 11 am vs Orlando City B
Friday, March 3 vs USF
