Rivera Strikes Late, Rowdies Down Louisville 3-2

June 16, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – The Tampa Bay Rowdies picked up a crucial victory over first-place Louisville City FC on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. After pulling ahead by two in the first half, the Rowdies conceded twice but ultimately found a stoppage time winner from 21-year-old Damian Rivera, sealing a 3-2 result for the Rowdies.

“First and foremost, I’m delighted to get the three points,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “Louisville are a top team. They’ve played so well this season. For us to get the three points was really important. I thought the way the players started the game and got the first two goals and then responded to the setback to finally get the end result was brilliant.”

The Rowdies were the first to strike in the rivalry matchup, jumping out to a two-goal lead in the span of only five minutes. Cal Jennings drew first blood at the half hour mark. Receiving a sublime chipped pass from teammate Joshua Perez into the final third, Jennings streaked into the box to push the ball past keeper Damian Las as he rushed off his line to thwart the chance. Running out of space on the endline, Jennings sliced a shot from a tight angle to take the lead.

“I saw him [Damian Las] coming off his line and I was like ‘I’m going to beat him to it. Let me just touch it around him,'” said Jennings. “At that point, it’s about composure. Passing the ball in the back of the net.”

Five minutes later, forward Manuel Arteaga buried an opportunity from the penalty spot after Tampa Bay’s Eddie Munjoma drew a foul in Louisville’s box. Las guessed correctly on the penalty as he dove to his right, but Arteaga hit his shot with enough power to beat the keeper to the bottom corner.

Louisville found their way back to level terms on two hectic set piece sequences. The first came two minutes into first half stoppage time, as a corner kick sent in by Ray Serrano was headed on goal but denied deftly by Jordan Farr. The Rowdies keeper managed to parry the ball off his line, but Louisville persisted. An initial rebound attempt was blocked by Tampa Bay’s Lewis Hilton, and then the second was stymied by Farr again. The third rebound attempt did the trick, though, as Aiden McFadden headed home the fourth chance.

The visitors equalized off of another corner kick, this time six minutes into the second half. As the Rowdies were unable to clear the delivery to the back post, Louisville…