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USL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies Fall 2-1 to Nashville

August 31, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rowdies came up short Saturday night against Nashville SC, falling 2-1 in a matchup of two of the best teams in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay fell behind just before halftime but captain Sebastian Guenzatti pulled the Rowdies (14-5-7, 49 points) level just after the break as the tide turned in Tampa Bay's favor. Kharlton Belmar scored the game-winner for Nashville in the 79th minute as Nashville (15-6-6, 51 points) jumped the Rowdies into second place in the East. The Rowdies are two points behind Nashville with one game in hand.

The Rowdies looked the better side for the majority of the second half but couldn't fight back from a second deficit. Tampa Bay outshot Nashville 20-10 (8-3 on target) but former Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens made seven saves to carry his team to victory.

"I feel so disappointed for the players," Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. "When they perform like that, they deserve to get something out of the game. But equally, that's the sport we're in and that's part and parcel of it. I'm very disappointed."

The first half was very tight, with neither side able to take control of the match. Nashville pulled ahead after a controversial foul call set them up with a free kick 24 yards out from goal. Tampa Bay goalkeeper John McCarthy made an excellent diving save on Cameron Lancaster's free kick, but Lebo Moloto was first to the rebound and poked it past McCarthy to send the visitors into the halftime break up 1-0.

The Rowdies came out quick in the second half, with Poku taking a shot in the 49th minute that was saved by Pickens, only for Guenzatti to score on the rebound and tie the match at 1-1.

It was Guenzatti's 14th goal this season, setting a new Modern Era record for regular season goals.

From there, the Rowdies took control of the match, peppering Pickens' net but being denied time after time. Tampa Bay had scoring chances in the 54th, 56th and 58th minutes but couldn't pull ahead.

Nashville scored against the run of play in the 79th minute, with Bradley Bourgeois playing a long ball over the top for Belmar. He struck it well with his first touch, beating McCarthy and placing into the side netting.

Second-half substitute Lucky Mkosana had the Rowdies best chance to equalize in added time but Pickens made another big save to preserve Nashville's victory.

"In the second half I thought we really stepped up," Collins said. "I thought we were excellent in pretty much every aspect of our play. We didn't punish them, then we switched off and they punished us. Give me that performance between now and the end of the season and I'll be a happy man."

The Rowdies now have time to regroup before heading to Charlotte next weekend for a match against the Independence on Saturday night. Tampa Bay will return home to host Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, September 14. Tickets are available here.

Scoring Summary

Nashville: Lebo Moloto - 44th minute

Tampa Bay: Sebastian Guenzatti - 49th minute

Nashville: Kharlton Belmar - 79th minute (assisted by Bradley Bourgeois)

Caution Summary

Tampa Bay: Lucky Mkosana - 90+ minute

Starting Lineups

Rowdies XI (3-5-2): GK John McCarthy; D Tarek Morad (Shawn Barry 80'), Pape Diakite, Caleb Richards; M Malik Johnson, Dom Oduro, Andrew Tinari (Lucky Mkosana 71'), Kwadwo Poku, Leo Fernandes; F Sebastian Guenzatti (c), Juan Tejada

Nashville XI (3-5-2): GK Matt Pickens; D Bradley Bourgeois, Ken Tribbett, Forrest Lasso (c); M Darnell King, Taylor Washington, Matt LaGrassa, Bolu Akinyode; F Lebo Moloto (Alan Winn 62'), Ropapa Mensah (Justin Davis 84'), Cameron Lancaster (Kharlton Belmar 71')

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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