It was a tough week for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
No wins.
No draws.
No goals.
And furthermore, ouch.
The Rowdies lost 2-0 to Ottawa Saturday night, three nights after dropping a 1-0 loss to Rayo Oklahoma City. Six games into their Fall Season, the Rowdies are 1-3-2.
Tampa Bay gave up a quick goal to Ottawa’s Mallan Roberts in the second minute of the game. They later allowed an own-goal to Tamika Mkandawire in the 36th minute.
Rowdies midfielder Joe Cole cleared the free kick delivery out of the box, but Tissot put it back in with his first touch and Roberts found an open path to the ball. His first touch was on target, sneaking under Matt Pickens and into the net for an early Ottawa lead.
“We defended the free kick well and cleared it, but in the second phase, we switched off and got caught sleeping,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “After a couple of minutes, the whole game plan changes. The boys responded well and we were pushing and pushing for a goal before the own goal.”
Things got worse when Mkandawire, retreating toward his own goal, attempted to head a ball back to the safety of Pickens.
Pickens, however, was not where Mkandawire expected him to be and it was immediately clear that neither player could recover in time to prevent the own goal.
“We’re in one of those runs at the minute where things are not going well for us,” Campbell said. “We’re not getting the roll of the ball. The week we’ve had caught up on us. I think for the first time really we looked fatigued toward the end. We had a tough couple of days on the road so we’re definitely looking forward to getting back home and starting a new week to build for a great home game.”
The Rowdies play at home next week against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Al Lang Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
