OCSC Lose to Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0

July 13, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release

Orange County SC fell victim to a 2-0 defeat against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, July 13 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL. The County Boys saw the return of three key players off the injury list (midfielder Dillon Powers, defender Andrew Fox, and captain defender Markus Nakkim) in the loss.

The Black and Orange had the first chance of the night in the second minute as goalkeeper Colin Shutler played the ball deep into the attacking half of the pitch that was headed by forward Ethan Zubak to midfielder Ryan Flood. Flood played the ball ahead into the left side of the box before striking a rocket towards goal that was saved by Tampa goalkeeper Jordan Farr.

The County Boys again played forward in the fourth minute as defender Owen Lambe sent a cross into the center of the box towards forward Bryce Jamison. Jamison connected with a header that just missed wide right of the goal.

Tampa quickly answered in the sixth minute with a steal by forward Cal Jennings on the right side of the box. Jennings took a touch, then fired a shot with his left foot that trickled past Shutler for the first goal of the match, putting Tampa up 1-0.

Tampa continued to push the attack forward in the 15th minute as defender Aarón Guillén played the ball over the head of Shutler to forward Manuel Arteaga. Arteaga took a shot from a difficult angle on the right side of the box that missed just wide right of the goal.

Following an hour 17 minute weather delay, Tampa added another goal in the 30th minute. Midfielder Edwin Munjoma flicked the ball into the attacking half of the pitch as the ball bounced to the head of Arteaga. Arteaga headed the ball to Jennings who took a couple touches into the box and delivered a strike into the bottom left corner of the net to put the Rowdies up 2-0.

Jennings almost had a hat trick in the 35th minute as Niyongabire sent the ball to his teammate on the near post. However, Jennings’ header was punched out of play by Shutler at the last minute, keeping Tampa at bay.

Tampa had one more chance before the half in the 45th minute as Arteaga flicked the ball to Niyongabire in space. Niyongabire dribbled into the right side of the box before striking one on goal with his right foot that was saved out of play by Shutler, sending Tampa into the break maintaining a 2-0 lead.

Tampa had the first chance of the second half in the 47th minute as Arteaga fired a…