Two of the hottest clubs in the USL faced off in St Petersburg on Saturday evening. The Tampa Bay Rowdies looked to continue their unbeaten season, while United was looking to run their win streak to four in the league.
The Rowdies certainly held up to their end of the bargain. The hosts came out looking like one of the best teams in the league and United paid for it early. Within thirty seconds, new Tampa Bay forward Manuel Arteaga came close to breaking the game open. Arteaga would give the ball a go from distance and was unlucky to be off-target.
From there, the first half became the Cal Jennings show.
In the 7th minute, the Rowdies had won a corner and going against the wind, the ball was delivered to the far post. There stood Forrest Lasso, who was able to head the ball back across goal to Jennings. Despite United having three men standing on the goal line, Jennings was able to push the ball past them to open the scoring, 1-0.
Jennings would add to his tally in the 16th when he earned a brace. Once again, United was caught in their defensive third while trying to play the ball out. Arteaga was able to intercept a pass deep in the half and cross the ball back in for Jennings. Jennings would shoot across the goal and go bottom left corner to double the lead, 2-0.
Hoping for some sort of answer, United’s best chance of the half came in the 26th minute. Jacobo Reyes was played into the area and Dayonn Harris came on a late run from the left side of the area. Reyes played the ball across the box, allowing Harris to run up on the ball. Harris’s shot was on frame but sent straight down the middle of the goal. The poor placement on the shot allowed Tampa keeper Jordan Farr to make the save to protect the scoreline.
Things didn’t get better for United in the opening minutes of the second half. Tampa remained on the front foot and weren’t about to settle for just two goals.
In the 56th, the Rowdies looked primed to add a third. Danny Crisostomo had a chance inside the area, but looked up to see Arteaga on his left. The ball was placed perfectly in front of the forward, and by all accounts, should have found the back of the net. Shooting off of a short hop, Arteaga got too far under the ball and sent it off of the crossbar.
Arteaga would have a chance to redeem himself just minutes later.
Coming in through the left side of the box once again in the 60th, Arteaga came face to face with Marco Micaletto. As Arteaga tried to play back onto his right foot, Micaletto slid in and caught the forward with his trailing foot, sending him to the ground. Jennings and Arteaga had a brief conversation about who was going to take the penalty, and it was given to Arteaga.
Arteaga stood at the mark and coolly took his shot. Alex Tambakis went to his left, but Arteaga went down the middle, converting and extending the lead, 3-0.
That’s where the night would end. The Black & Yellow struggled to get off the mark throughout the night and were outclassed by the Rowdies from start to finish.
Player of the Match
Cal Jennings – Jennings showed why he is one of the premier strikers in the USL. Jennings put his club ahead early and they didn’t look back. He found space often and made United pay for it.
Up Next
After the loss, the East Coast portion of United’s road trip. Next up for New Mexico is a trip to Sin City. United will look to right the ship against the ailing Las Vegas Lights. Coverage of that match will begin at 7:30 PM (MT) on Saturday, May 4. The pregame show with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman will be on the air on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and the TEAM apps. Kickoff will follow at 8:30 PM (MT). Catch every minute of every play on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM.