Rowdies' Season Ends in Defeat to Birmingham
October 21, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The Tampa Bay Rowdies 2023 season came to an end on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium, as the club fell 3-0 to Birmingham Legion FC in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. With the loss, Tampa Bay exited in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
"Tonight and particularly over the last month you could see the injuries and the adversities the players have faced throughout the season have taken their toll on the team and the energy had just been sucked out of them," said Rowdies Head Coach Nicky Law. "They kept trying but they just didn't have enough to get us over the line in these bigger games."
The Rowdies attack never quite clicked as they were held to just two shots on frame all night, both second-half headers which were easily handled by the keeper. Birmingham, though, made the most of their chances, striking three blows on the counter attack.
Birmingham broke through just before halftime. In the 41st minute, Juan Agudelo got the better of Rowdies center back Forrest Lasso in a fifty-fifty challenge and played the ball into space for Preston Tabort Etaka at the top of the box. Tabort Etaka then drove into the box before slotting a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
"We just didn't have the energy tonight,"said Law. "I felt coming into tonight we needed to score first. You've seen lately when we've conceded first it's been really difficult for the guys to push themselves and dig deep. Time after time they've pushed through this year but I think the adversities of the season have taken their toll. It's been difficult for the guys to summon that again and again. We've asked them so many times this season, too many times in a year. There's only so many times in a year you can do it."
Looking for a spark, the Rowdies brought Leo Fernandes off of the bench at halftime. However, the comeback was hamstrung just a few minutes into the second half when midfielder Lewis Hilton was unable to continue due to injury. Shortly after Hilton's early exit, Birmingham pounced again on a turnover in Tampa Bay's half in the 57th minute. Enzo Martinez threaded a ball through the Rowdies back line for Tabort Etaka, who centered for an unmarked Diba Nwegbo to convert.
"One of the most disappointing things is that, looking in the mirror, we kind of know we hurt ourselves tonight," said Lasso. "No discredit to Birmingham. They played a phenomenal match. They scored goals and had guys step when they needed it. But looking back, if we were sharper in a few areas we maybe wouldn't have given them the chances to penalize us."
The visitors delivered the final blow in the 77th minute. Moving the ball down the left wing, Birmingham slipped over the back line with a chipped pass followed by a cross from Agudelo to Neco Brett, who made the final pass to Prosper Kasim for the finish.
"I think at times tonight everyone pulled in opposite directions by themselves instead of sticking together as a group, which is not the Rowdies mentality and culture," said Rowdies captain Aaron Guillen. "We need to fix that for next year to come back stronger. We need to be a family. We need to be a group that sticks together, and works together, and wins together, and loses together as well. That's the main takeaway for me tonight."
Scoring Summary
BHM - Tabort Etaka (Agudelo), 41'
BHM - Nwegbo (Tabort Etaka), 57'
BHM - Kasim (Agudelo), 77'
Lineups
TBR: Sparrow, Antley, Doherty, Lasso, Guillen, Dennis (Martinez, 79'), Hilton (Perez, 51'), Ekra (Kleemann, 59'), LaCava (Mkosana, 79'), Williams (Fernandes, 46'), Jennings
BHM: Van Oekel (Spengenberg, 45+5'), Crognale, Rufe, Mensah, Smith, Martinez, Kasim, Agudelo, Pasher, Tabort Etaka, Nwegbo
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