The Tampa Bay Rowdies concluded a successful preseason trip to England Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against Stoke City Tuesday.
The Rowdies, 1-0-2 on their trip, led for most of the game before allowing the tying goal in stoppage time.
The Rowdies now return to Tampa Bay, where they will play their final preseason game against the University of Tampa at UT’s Peppin Stadium.
“We were playing against a really good side and it was a great experience for our players playing against two season Premier League professionals who moved the ball better than anyone else we’ve come up against this preseason,” Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell said. “I thought it was a very evenly contested game where both teams were aggressive and looked to play football the correct way.”
After a scoreless first half that featured a few clear-cut chances for both teams and a highlight-reel double save by Matt Pickens, it was the Rowdies that found the scoresheet first in the 54th minute. Nanchoff, in possession in an advanced position, slotted the ball between two Stoke City defenders to Darwin Espinal, who beat the goalkeeper into the far side netting to give the Rowdies a 1-0 lead.
