For the first time since 2013, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have earned a second match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this season.
After losing its first Open Cup match in each of the last two seasons, Tampa Bay has now advanced to the Fourth Round with a 1-0 win over the USL's FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night in St. Petersburg. Georgi Hristov scored the only goal of the match in the 11th minute.
The Rowdies will face MLS's Columbus Crew SC in Columbus on June 15 in the Fourth Round.
"I'm delighted to be in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup," Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said.
"From a selfish, personal standpoint, I love cup competitions. I had some success in them back in England, but I've had zero success with them over here as a player and as an assistant coach. Now as a head coach, I wanted to go out and win. It's a completely different animal, playing in the cup."
Tampa Bay had been dumped out of the last two Open Cups at the first test, losing to USL teams Orlando City SC in 2014 and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2015.
"Overall, I think it was a very good performance from the whole team," Hristov said. "Honestly, it was really tough because of a long trip over the weekend and we had a really short period of time to prepare for that game. ... It's always very difficult to play against USL teams and we've lost those games the last two years. I'm very glad we're going forward to play an MLS team."
Hristov's 11th minute goal was the earliest Tampa Bay has scored this season. After failing to score in the first half of their first six matches this season, the Rowdies have now scored in the opening half in three consecutive matches.
Hristov was the recipient of a long ball over the top from Neill Collins just more than 10 minutes into the match. Hristov collected the ball outside the box, beat two defenders with his dribble and then fired past FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt to edge the Rowdies ahead.
As it turned out, one goal was enough.
Tampa Bay goalkeeper Matt Pickens made two saves on the night to keep his fifth clean sheet in nine matches to open the year. Ahead of Pickens, Rowdies defenders made a handful of blocks to ensure Pickens had as easy a night as possible.
"In these little tournaments, we're going to have to make a save here and there and absorb some pressure here and there," Pickens said. "We held onto a 1-0 lead. We would've liked it to be two or three, but we've got a good defensive team. In my eyes, it's a good thing to score 10 minutes into a game and defend them off for 80 minutes. Well done to the guys."
Tampa Bay could've doubled the lead with an impressive build in the 51st minute, but both Walter Ramirez and Junior Burgos declined open shots in favor of trying to find something better. In the end, Ramirez fired from a close angle and hit the far post.
The Rowdies closed the match in a professional manner, enduring five minutes of stoppage time to clinch a berth in the Fourth Round. That match against Columbus will be played midweek on June 15 after the Rowdies close the Spring Season in Jacksonville on June 11.
Scoring Summary
Rowdies: Georgi Hristov - 11th minute (Assisted by Neill Collins)
Caution Summary
Cincinnati: Kenney Walker - 70th minute
Tampa Bay: Darnell King - 78th minute
Tampa Bay: Joe Cole - 90th minute
Cincinnati: Corben Bone - 90th minute
Starting Lineups
Rowdies (4-3-3): GK Matt Pickens; D Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire (c), Neill Collins, Ben Sweat; M Joe Cole, Juan Guerra, Junior Burgos (Justin Chavez 83'); F Eric Avila (Kalif Alhassan 69'), Georgi Hristov, Walter Ramirez (Danny Mwanga 77')
FC Cincinnati (4-2-3-1): GK Mitch Hildebrandt; D Pat McMahon, Paul Nicholson (Evan Lee 46'), Harrison Delbridge, Tyler Polak; M Kenney Walker (Antoine Hoppenot 88'), Ross Tomaselli Omar Cummings 79'); M Andrew Wiedeman, Corben Bone, Jimmy McLaughlin; F Sean Okoli
