June 2, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Tampa Bay Rowdies handed Sacramento Republic FC their first defeat of the season on Saturday night at Heart Health Park, claiming a 1-0 victory over the last unbeaten team in the USL Championship. Midfielder Charlie Dennis notched his first goal of the 2024 campaign to lift the Rowdies to victory.
“We spoke about it before the game… about playing the way we want to play and dominating the game in possession and out of possession,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “I thought we did that for long periods tonight. That was the most pleasing thing. Because if we want to go and try and win championships, you have to win away from home. We managed to do that tonight against one of, if not the, best west coast teams.”
Sacramento nearly jumped out in front seven minutes into the match. Following a turnover in Tampa Bay’s defensive half, Sacramento’s Kieran Phillips charged forward into the box before centering a bouncing pass for Nick Ross, who was unmarked but sent his effort wide right of the goal.
Tampa Bay earned their best scoring chance of the opening half near the half hour mark. Forward Cal Jennings did well to shield a defender off of the ball as a pass from teammate Lewis Hilton came down in Sacramento’s defensive half. After winning the ball, Jennings waited for Joshua Perez to join him in the attack and slipped a pass forward for him. Perez hit his shot with conviction but keeper Danny Vitiello was up to the task and denied him with a kick save.
The hosts looked for a go-ahead goal again as the match neared the halftime break. In the 44th minute, Phillips broke the defensive line on the right flank to penetrate the box. However, defender Eddie Munjoma and keeper Jordan Farr both swiftly moved in to shut down his angle. Farr made a stop on Phillips’ initial attempt and then saved the follow up attempt after Phillips regained possession.
Farr had an important hand in Tampa Bay’s eventual breakthrough goal only eight minutes into the second half. A hopeful pass from Sacramento’s back line sailed through a crowd of players to roll toward the Rowdies keeper outside of his area and, with one touch, Farr sent the ball back up field. Sensing an opportunity, Dennis rushed in as Farr’s delivery bounced right between the last defender and Vitiello way outside of the box. Dennis deftly controlled the ball with his chest, pushing past…