Atlantic Division Week 4 Wrap-Up
May 17, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The Tampa Bay Rowdies got an early reprieve from Atlantic Division action this past weekend with their matchup against the defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Rising FC. However, the next three months will be nothing but Atlantic Division fixtures for the Rowdies. Their next non-Atlantic foe will be expansion side Oakland Roots on September 3.
Atlantic Division teams will play each other four times during the season, twice at home and twice away. The top four teams at the end of the year will qualify for the postseason.
After three matches, the Rowdies sit atop the division as the only team to have not dropped any points so far. Hartford Athletic are just two points back in second after finding last-minute equalizer in against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Miami FC, who comes to Al Lang Stadium this Saturday night, are in third thanks to a win in their trip to New York Red Bulls II on Friday. The Charlotte Independence holds the division's fourth spot after their impressive win over the Charleston Battery.
Last place Loudoun United FC has been off since its opener on May 2 but returns this Tuesday to host New York.
New York Red Bulls II 0-1 Miami FC
Miami FC made its first trip up to New York since joining the USL last year a successful one with some help from former New York Red Bulls II player Speedy Williams. The visitors started on the front foot against New York and were rewarded in the 15th minute, as Williams received a deflection off a blocked shot outside the box and rifled the ball back toward goal and slipped on the underside of the crossbar. Miami continued to dominate the rest of the night but failed to convert any of their numerous chances. Paul Dalglish's side took 18 total shots in the match, 11 of which were fired from inside New York's box.
The Rowdies host Miami this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Charleston Battery 0-3 Charlotte Independence
The Charleston Battery hosted their first match of 2021 last Friday, and the visiting Charlotte Independence took the opportunity to spoil the night by handing the Battery a 3-0 defeat. The result was a long time coming for Charlotte, who had not beaten Charleston since 2016.
Just 12 minutes into the match, Charlotte jumped ahead as Marcelo Palomino pounced on a rebound chance after a well-struck free kick from Jake Areman clanged off the crossbar and back into play. Charlotte never looked back after that. Newcomer Irvin Parra notched his first two of the year, a header into the bottom left corner in the 18th minute and then a confident penalty conversion in the 49th minute.
Hartford Athletic 1-1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
After opening the season with a 3-0 loss at Al Lang Stadium, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC remained on the road for a matchup with Hartford Athletic SC. Russell Cicerone opened up the scoring three minutes before the halftime break, when Thomas Williamson flicked a header over the last defender and into the box for Cicerone to bury into the top right corner.
Pittsburgh's lead held until the final moments after Hartford's rally picked up a boost when Pittsburgh's Kenardo Forbes was shown a red card in the 89th minute. With a man advantage, Hartford finally founds its equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time as Danny Berrera's free kick from the right wing found the head of Luka Prba, who redirected the ball onto frame and past keeper Danny Vitiello.
Upcoming Schedule:
Loudoun United FC vs. New York Red Bulls II, Tuesday, May 18, 7p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Charlotte Independence, May 22, 7 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Miami FC, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
Charleston Battery vs. New York Red Bulls II, May 23, 2p.m. ET
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- Atlantic Division Week 4 Wrap-Up - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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