The Tampa Bay Rowdies continued to have problems finishing on their offense Saturday night.
This time, however, the defense faltered, as well.
The Rowdies lost a 4-1 decision to the Carolina Railhawks. The Rowdies played without Neill Collins and Tamika Mkandawire, who had played every minute of the season. Even worse, backups Stefan Antonijevic ad Frankie Sanfilippo each committed fouls that let to successful penalty kicks by Carolina.
“[We’re] obviously disappointed with the result,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “Obviously to lose 4-1, it’s a big signal for us.”
The Railhawks outscored Tampa Bay 3-0 in the second half.
“We knew [Collins and Mkandawire] were going to be big misses for us,” Campbell said. “Defensively we’ve been very good this season and they’ve been a big component of that. We still shouldn’t concede four goals.”
Matt Fondy’s header gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. Georgi Hristov scored his fifth goal to tie things, however, on a penalty kick.
The Railhawks got their first penalty kick in the 55th minute, however, when Brian Shriver scored. Four minutes later, Nazmi Albadawi scored with a shot off the left post. Albadawki scored again in the 71st minute.
The Rowdies play Puerto Rico FC next Saturday night at home. The following week, they play the New York Cosmos at home.
