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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (August 8, 2018) — Neither side found a way to break the deadlock in a  tightly-contested scoreless draw between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Charleston Battery at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a big night for the Rowdies as they attempted to bounce back from a loss last week against one of the Eastern Conference’s best — and stingiest — teams. This was Charleston’s fifth-consecutive shutout.

“A lot of very, very positive performances,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “We created more than enough chances to win the game, but you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net. If we perform like that, we’ll be good.”

Tampa Bay (7-9-6, 27 points) made a tactical switch for this match, lining up in a 3-5-2 with newly-signed Tarek Morad inserted straight into the lineup as one of three center backs. While the Rowdies lacked the final product, they looked a much better side defensively than in recent weeks, a positive sign for the stretch run of the regular season.

The Rowdies, armed with a high defensive press, carried 57 percent of the possession and held the Battery (10-3-10, 40 points) to just one shot on target all night. Charleston forward Ataulla Guerra, who is tied for the league lead with 12 goals on the season, did not record a shot on target. It was the Rowdies’ first clean sheet since June 2 and just their fourth of the season.

Apart from a couple of chances that Rowdies midfielder Junior Flemmings rolled inches wide early in the second half, the closest either side came to scoring was in the 65th minute when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and put it in the back of the net only for the offside flag to be raised.

“They had five guys in the back, so that was really tough,” Flemmings said. “They were solid defensively. They’re (third) in the table, so they must be doing something good. I thought they were solid and I didn’t think we were really creative enough up top to pull those center backs out.”

The Rowdies’ other good chance was in the 18th minute when Stefano Bonomo received a Leo Fernandes cross and put a header on target.

Tampa Bay tallied 14 shots on the night, but only two were on target against Battery goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky. Nearly the entire match was played in Charleston’s half with eight of their 11 players’ average position being on their own side of the halfway line.

“It just comes down to small parts of the game where you’ve got to finish off good play,” Collins said. “And there was a lot of good play.”

The result keeps Tampa Bay below the playoff line for now, four points behind Ottawa for the final playoff spot with 12 matches to play. The Rowdies are in a tie with North Carolina FC, which visits Al Lang Stadium for a huge match Saturday night. For tickets, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

Caution Summary
Charleston: Vincenzo Candela – 23rd Minute
Tampa Bay: Dominic Oduro – 58th Minute
Tampa Bay: Joe Cole – 86th Minute

Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-3-3): GK Cody Mizell; D Kyle Porter (Georgi Hristov 82′), Hunter Gorskie, Papé Diakité, Tarek Morad; M Joe Cole (c), Dominic Oduro, Kwadwo Poku; F Junior Flemmings, Stefano Bonomo (Leon Taylor 61′), Leo Fernandes (Max Lachowecki 82′)

Charleston XI (3-4-3): GK Joe Kuzminsky; D Skylar Thomas, Taylor Mueller (c), Neveal Hackshaw; M O’Brian Woodbine (Jay Bolt 73′), Tah Brian Anunga, Vincenzo Candela, Jarad van Schaik; F Victor Mansaray (Nico Rittmeyer 66′), Gordon Wild (Kotaro Higashi 89′), Ataulla Guerra

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (August 8, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies signed experienced USL defender Tarek Morad, the club announced Wednesday. 

Morad brings nearly 100 appearances and 8,000 minutes of USL play to the Rowdies’ roster despite being just 25 years old. He spent the previous three seasons with Louisville City FC after making his professional debut with OKC Energy FC in 2014. 

Morad made 32 appearances in all competitions for Louisville last season, helping guide the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference and the USL Cup. He scored twice in Louisville’s quarterfinals win over the Bethlehem Steel. He departed the club after winning the USL Cup Final as Louisville’s all-time appearances leader with 88.

“We’re always happy to improve our squad and when a player of Tarek’s ability is available, it’s a great addition,” said Head Coach Neill Collins said. “He’s a player that has played a lot of games in this league at a really high level and we’re excited to have him in our team.”

Morad was born in Los Angeles to Egyptian parents and finished his collegiate career at nearby UC-Irvine before signing with Oklahoma City. He will wear the No. 24 jersey and will be available for selection tonight against the Charleston Battery.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (August 4, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies fell to a frustrating 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ottawa Fury FC on Friday night at TD Place.

Here’s Three Things from the match…

1. Conceding early
The Rowdies conceded a goal only 23 seconds into the match, derailing whatever plans they may have had for the match. Ottawa’s Tony Taylor took a speculative shot from the corner of the box and it slipped through the hands of Cody Mizell for an early shock to the Rowdies’ system.

In last week’s match against New York, Tampa Bay conceded a goal in the second minute, but immediately rallied to take a 2-1 lead by the ninth minute. This week, they couldn’t replicate that success.

Conceding that early in a match is never ideal, but it’s particularly harmful in Ottawa and against the Fury FC. Ottawa tends to sit deep and defend with all 11 eleven players waiting to spring a counterattack even when the score is tied, but with an early lead, there was even less pressure to be ready to counter. This season, Ottawa has now won 11 out of 14 games in which it has scored first.

As expected, the Rowdies had plenty of the ball (68 percent) and did plenty with it (the Rowdies completed 557 passes compared to 258 for Ottawa), but couldn’t find enough ways to break through Ottawa’s compact defensive block. Tampa Bay managed only two shots on target, compared to six for the Fury FC.

2. Coach Cole
With Neill Collins serving a one-match touchline ban following his dismissal last week, Rowdies midfielder/assistant coach Joe Cole served as Acting Head Coach for the night. It was Cole’s first time taking charge from the bench.

Perhaps due to the newness of the situation, Cole wore cleats to coach the match. He’ll be back on the field this coming week when the Rowdies host a pair of games against the Charleston Battery and North Carolina FC on Wednesday and Saturday night, respectively.

3. The playoff picture
The Rowdies are in the thick of a fight in and around the playoff positions, even after Saturday night’s defeat in Ottawa.

As of Saturday morning, the Rowdies sit four points outside the current playoff field, but the table is extremely tight. The difference between sixth place Indy Eleven and 13th place Penn FC is only five points, meaning there are eight teams within touching distance of the last three playoff spots. New York is in fifth place on 35 points, but every team in the East has multiple games in hand over New York, so their place is far from safe.

About 10 weeks remain before the regular season ends October 14 and it figures to be a wild ride all the way to the end.

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada (August 3, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies suffered an early blow Friday night at TD Place and never quite recovered in a 2-0 loss to Ottawa Fury FC.

The home team took a lead only 23 seconds into the match when a Tony Taylor shot from the corner of the box slipped through Tampa Bay goalkeeper Cody Mizell’s hands and into the net.

The Rowdies (7-9-5, 26 points) managed a few decent scoring chances on the night, but never really threatened to get a result after the early goal.

Tampa Bay was coached on the night by Joe Cole, who served as Acting Head Coach while Head Coach Neill Collins served a one-game suspension.

“It’s a tough result to take,” Cole said. “The last thing you want to do is concede a goal 23 seconds in. Cody was excellent last week, he made a mistake this week. We had more than enough time to get back into the game. We need to find a way as a group to stop conceding goals.”

Ottawa (9-9-3, 30 points) doubled its lead on a set piece in the 53rd minute when Nana Attakora got on the end of a Kevin Oliveira free kick.

Tampa Bay had a few chances, but couldn’t make them count in the defeat.

The Rowdies’ best chance of the night came in the 35th minute when Rowdies midfielder Junior Flemmings threaded a perfect through ball to Stefano Bonomo. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Bonomo couldn’t connect with the pass and the chance evaporated.

Playing in Ottawa, against a team that sits back absorbs pressure with everyone behind the ball regardless of the score, it was too tall a hill for the Rowdies to climb.

“Especially in this stadium, you can’t give up a goal that early,” Cole said. “It played right into their hands and we didn’t really have a chance to lay a glove on them. It’s one of those performances where we learned a lot about where we can get better.”

Tampa Bay now returns home for a crucial week. The Rowdies host the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night and then North Carolina FC on Saturday night. For tickets to those matches, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

Scoring Summary
Ottawa: Tony Taylor – 1st minute (assisted by Steevan Dos Santos)
Ottawa: Nana Attakora – 53rd minute (assisted by Kevin Oliveira)

Caution Summary
Ottawa: Adonijah Reid – 46th minute
Rowdies: Hunter Gorskie – 79th minute
Rowdies: Papé Diakité – 83rd minute

Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-3-3): GK Cody Mizell; D Hunter Gorskie, Tamika Mkandawire (c) (Leo Fernandes 72′), Papé Diakité, Max Lachowecki; M Michael Nanchoff (Alex Morrell 55′), Kwadwo Poku, Dom Oduro; F Junior Flemmings, Stefano Bonomo, Georgi Hristov (Leon Taylor 73′)

Ottawa XI (4-3-3): GK Maxime Crepeau; D Eddie Edward, Nana Attakora, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Onua Obasi; M Kevin Oliveira, Cristian Portilla (Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare 74′), Jamar Dixon (c); F Tony Taylor, Steevan Dos Santos (Chris Mannella 64′), Adonijah Reid (Adonijah Reid 67′)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (August 1, 2018) — Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Junior Flemmings will be eligible to play Friday night against Ottawa Fury FC after a decision by the United States Soccer Federation.

Flemmings was shown a straight red card deep in first half stoppage time of last weekend’s match against New York Red Bulls II. The Rowdies appealed that card and the Federation has overturned the decision.

While Flemmings will be available for selection Friday night in Ottawa, the Rowdies will be without Head Coach Neill Collins, who will serve a one-game suspension following his dismissal against the Red Bulls.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 31, 2018) — Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Stefano Bonomo was named to the USL Team of the Week on Tuesday after scoring two goals in 50 seconds in Saturday night’s 2-2 draw against his former club.

The full Team of the Week is below.

GK – Owain Fôn Williams, Indy Eleven: Fôn Williams recorded a four-save shutout on Thursday as Indy scored a late 1-0 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC at Goodman Stadium.

D – Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City FC: Jimenez notched a pair of assists to help lead Louisville to a convincing 3-0 victory on the road against Ottawa Fury FC.

D – Cyprian Hedrick, San Antonio FC: Hedrick won 21 of 25 duels and recorded 18 clearances as San Antonio took victories against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and OKC Energy FC.

D – Ramon Martin Del Campo, Fresno FC: Del Campo won 16 of 20 duels and recorded 21 clearances as the Foxes earned road draws against both OKC Energy FC and Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

M – Matthew Srbely, Toronto FC II: Srbely scored once, recorded a pair of key passes and won a penalty kick as Toronto won its first game of the season, defeating Nashville SC on Saturday night.

M – Nico Rittmeyer, Charleston Battery: Rittmeyer’s first two professional goals set the Battery on the way to a 3-0 victory against longtime rival the Richmond Kickers at MUSC Health Stadium.

M – Brenden Aaronson, Bethlehem Steel FC: The 17-year-old Aaronson recorded his first goal and assist in the pro ranks as Steel FC swept to a 4-1 victory against ATL UTD 2 on Sunday evening.

M – Charlie Ward, San Antonio FC: Ward completed 65 of 65 passes and provided the assist on Ever Guzman’s late winner as SAFC defeated OKC Energy FC for the first time in its history.

M – Wal Fall, Saint Louis FC: Fall scored the game-tying goal from the penalty spot and then recorded the assist on Sam Fink’s stoppage-time winner as Saint Louis defeated Reno on the road.

F – Foster Langsdorf, Portland Timbers 2: Langsdorf scored a pair of goals to lead T2 to a 4-3 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday afternoon at StubHub Center.

F – Stefano Bonomo, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Bonomo scored a pair of goals as the Rowdies played to a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.

Bench: Michael Nelson (RGV), Wuilito Fernandes (NC), Pedro Ribeiro (FRS), Antonee Burke-Gilroy (SEA), Sebastian Velasquez (SLC), Jeremy Ebobisse (POR), Faris (BST)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 29, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies will likely have very mixed emotions after Saturday night’s 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.

After a bad start, the Rowdies roared to life and took a well-deserved lead and they were flying high before a double dismissal deep into first half stoppage time changed the course of the night for good.

Here’s Three Things from the match…

1.  The boiling point
Tampa Bay was under heavy pressure from the New York Red Bulls as the half wore down, but it looked like the Rowdies would escape the first half with their 2-1 lead and have a chance to regroup during halftime and come back out and shut things down in the second half.

No such luck, though, as Junior Flemmings was whistled for a foul right in front of the fourth official in the ninth minute of stoppage time and was shown a straight red card. Neill Collins protested the decision, which he would was influenced by New York’s bench suggesting it was an elbow to the head, and Collins was dismissed as well, leaving the Rowdies without both Flemmings and their head coach for the second half.

In his postgame press conference, Collins asked for a little more consistency from referee crews across the league. We’ll let him speak for himself, but the gist is that the Rowdies have had a player sent off before halftime in three of his eight home matches as coach so far for soft red cards.

2. The Bonomo and Flemmings Show
Stefano Bonomo and Junior Flemmings, both former Red Bulls II players, put on a show against their former club Saturday night, continuing their excellent form.

Both players scored against Indy Eleven a week earlier and they picked up where they left off Saturday night. Flemmings drew a penalty in the seventh minute with an incisive cut toward goal. Bonomo converted the penalty with a perfectly-placed kick into the side netting that New York goalkeeper Evan Louro didn’t have a chance at saving even though he dove the correct way.

Only 14 seconds after play was restarted, Flemmings took advantage of a lazy pass in midfield, picking up possession and racing toward goal again. Bonomo darted to the penalty spot and slotted Flemmings’ pass through Louro’s legs for his second goal in 50 seconds.

The chemistry that Bonomo and Flemmings have from their three years playing together in New York is paying major dividends for the Rowdies as their attack looks extremely potent.

3. Suspensions all around
Tampa Bay was without leading goalscorer Georgi Hristov as he served a one-game suspension Saturday night for yellow card accumulation. Hristov is eligible to return next week when the Rowdies visit Ottawa Fury FC, but the Rowdies figure to be without Junior Flemmings and Neill Collins in Ottawa following their dismissals Saturday night.

Additionally, Joe Cole is one yellow card away from picking up an accumulation suspension of his own.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 28, 2018) — A pair of controversial dismissals derailed the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ night on Saturday as they settled for a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls II at Al Lang Stadium.

The Rowdies led 2-1 after a wild opening 10 minutes and retained that lead until first-half stoppage time when the match took a sudden turn.

In the ninth minute of added time, Rowdies midfielder Junior Flemmings was whistled for a foul against Red Bulls midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr. Flemmings was shown a straight red card and ejected from the match, with Tampa Bay Head Coach Neill Collins ultimately being dismissed as well for dissent against the decision, which he felt was made because of the dramatic reactions from Casseres and the New York bench, rather than the foul itself.

“All we ask for is a modicum of consistency (from referees),” Collins said. “I respect how hard the referees’ job is and I respect that they’re not going to get every decision right, but when you look at 11 games (since I became coach) and three red cards in the first half for nothing more than, at most, a yellow card, it makes my job even more difficult. It’s very, very frustrating.”

Playing down a man and without their head coach on the sideline, the Rowdies (7-8-5, 26 points) faced an uphill task to protect their 2-1 lead and win the match.

New York (8-6-8, 32 points) had 77 percent of the possession after halftime, but the Rowdies got past the hour mark without conceding.

Tampa Bay’s lead wouldn’t last much longer, though, with New York’s Brian White heading a Chris Lema cross past Rowdies goalkeeper Cody Mizell for the equalizer in the 62nd minute.

Though New York held much of the ball from there on, neither team really created a ton of danger. The short-handed Rowdies did not register a shot in the second half after posting seven in the first half.

It was a slow and miserable denouement after a match that started at breakneck pace.

New York’s Jared Stroud opened the scoring barely more than a minute into the match with a right-footed curler from the corner of the box, but Tampa Bay struck back immediately.

Flemmings cut into the box in the seventh minute and drew a penalty, which was scored by Stefano Bonomo a minute later to pull the match even at 1-1.

Bonomo was back on the attack less than a minute later, beating New York goalkeeper Evan Louro for his second goal of the night in the ninth minute. Only 50 total seconds passed between Bonomo’s two goals and his second goal came only 14 seconds after the Red Bulls restarted play.

Flemmings and Bonomo are both former Red Bulls players who combined for 41 goals for New York in their time there.

“Junior set up one goal and drew the penalty,” Collins said. “He should have scored a third, but then we lose him and go to 10 men against a team that was already playing really well. Credit to our boys because they played well in the second half. We lost a goal, but overall we made it tough for them to bring us down and we ended up fairly comfortable.”

With another point in the bag, the Rowdies will head to Canada next week to take on the Ottawa Fury FC on Friday, August 3 before returning home to host back-to-back matches against the Charleston Battery on August 8th and North Carolina FC on August 11. For tickets to those matches, call (727) 222-2000 or click here. 

Scoring Summary
New York: Jared Stroud – 2nd Minute (Assisted by Tom Barlow)
Tampa Bay: Stefano Bonomo – 8th Minute (Penalty)
Tampa Bay: Stefano Bonomo – 9th Minute (Assisted by Junior Flemmings)
New York: Brian White – 62nd Minute (Assisted by Chris Lema)

Caution Summary
New York: Hassan Ndam – 17th Minute
Tampa Bay: Stefano Bonomo – 35th Minute
Tampa Bay: Dominic Oduro – 45th+ Minute
Tampa Bay: Junior Flemmings – 45th+ Minute (Red Card)
Tampa Bay: Cody Mizell – 88th minute 

Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-3-3): GK Cody Mizell; D Papé Diakité, Max Lachowecki, Tamika Mkandawire, Kyle Porter; M Joe Cole (c) (Hunter Gorskie 72′), Dominic Oduro, Kwadwo Poku; F Junior Flemmings, Stefano Bonomo (Leon Taylor 77′), Leo Fernandes (Michael Nanchoff 62′)

New York XI (4-3-3): GK Evan Louro; D Niko De Vera, Kevin Politz, Hassan Ndam, Lucas Stauffer (Allen Yanes 83′); M Chris Lema, Andrew Tinari, Vincent Bezecourt (Cristian Cásseres Jr. 40′); F Jared Stroud, Tom Barlow (Ben Mines 75′), Brian White