Joe Cole Scores in Rowdies 2-0 Road Win over Minnesota United FC
May 28, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Eric Avila of the Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota United FC
(Tampa Bay Rowdies)
BLAINE, Minn. - The Tampa Bay Rowdies are back on track following an emphatic 2-0 road win over Minnesota United FC on Saturday night. Midfielders Joe Cole and Eric Avila gave the Rowdies the win at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn.
Offensively, the Rowdies looked sharper than at any previous point this season.
Defensively, Tampa Bay stood tall against the Loons' potent attack.
All together, it was a performance fully worthy of the three points.
Joe Cole's first goal, brilliantly headed home off a Kalif Alhassan cross gave the Rowdies a lead just before halftime. This goal is the first for the Rowdies since his arrival in early May.
Just after halftime, midfielder Eric Avila doubled the lead, coolly finishing a Cole through ball first-time past Minnesota goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock into the bottom corner of the net.
The match was a chippy affair. Minnesota United FC had not conceded a goal at home all season, so down 2-0, the play got feisty.
The frustration began to boil over in the 59th minute when Loons midfielder Ibson, in disagreement with a foul, kicked a ball at the center referee, earning himself a yellow card in the progress.
As the match continued, the temperature approached a boil.
Minnesota had a great chance to pull a goal back in the 64th minute, but goalkeeper Matt Pickens made a point blank save on J.C. Banks inside the 6-yard box to keep the scoreline at 2-0. Minnesota appeared to have scored in the 68th minute, completing a sweeping move forward with some nice passing, but the goalscorer, Bernardo Anor, was flagged for offside.
The Rowdies nearly extended their lead to 3-0 in the 83rd minute, but Michae Nanchoff's bending free kick was pawed away by a diving Sammy Ndjock just before it crossed the line.
The Loons pressed hard in the final minutes, but Pickens tallied three saves to earn his fourth clean sheet of the season.
The win was exactly what the Rowdies needed heading into a busy week that begins Wednesday night with the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against FC Cincinnati.
Images from this story
 Eric Avila of the Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota United FC |
North American Soccer League Stories from May 28, 2016
- Martinez Goal the Difference as Eddies Fall 1-0 to Miami FC - FC Edmonton
- Cosmos Sit Atop Standings as Spring Season Races to Finish - NASL
- Loons Drop First Points at Home in 2016 - Minnesota United FC
- Ariel Martinez Lifts Miami FC to Historic Victory - Miami FC
- Cosmos Beat Rayo to Stay Perfect at Home - New York Cosmos
- Joe Cole Scores in Rowdies 2-0 Road Win over Minnesota United FC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Bahner's Strike Snaps Armada's Scoreless Streak in 1-1 Draw with Indy - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Indy Eleven Stay Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at Jacksonville Armada FC - Indy Eleven
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