Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-1 El Paso Locomotive FC: Crisostomo excellence continues but El Paso steal a point on a worldie.
Rowdies probably deserved all three points but its another draw
El Paso snapped its four USL Championship match losing streak (though they extended their overall winless streak to nine in all competitions) with an unlikely 1-1 draw against Tampa Bay.
The goal Locomotive scored as an unlikely lob from distance by Francisco Neverez in minute 64 with Jordan Farr way off his line. It was what we call a worldie. But otherwise, the Rowdies controlled the proceedings though were often too open as the match got stretched. Tampa Bay got an equalizer ten minutes later via Manuel Arteaga. The goal was set up by Daniel Crisostomo, who had a blinder - he was by some distance the best player on the pitch on Saturday night.
We all knew Crisostomo was quality when he signed but I in particular wasn’t sure how a player so tied to Southern California (LAFC and Orange County SC) whose furthest pro foray away from the area was to nearby Las Vegas would settle in Florida.
But he’s settled well as he stated after the match.
“It was a big change for me and my family in the first place. It’s always going to take some time to get adjusted, but the staff, the team have really helped me. As the games have gone on, you get to know the guys, get to know the philosophy we’re trying to do and I’m finding my groove. Still have aways to go but it’s definitely getting better since the first game.”
Outside of Crisostomo, Tampa Bay’s backs Jordan Doherty, Forest Lasso and Aaron Guillen stood out for me. It’s not just defending, but the ability of all three to start impressive passing moves from the back and Doherty’s case to link up in wide areas.
Lasso in particular was left defending in multiple one-v-one situation and as usual acquitted himself well winning his challenges cleanly. But this was a bi-product of a largely stretched match which put Rowdies defenders often times on the back foot against the El Paso counter-attack.
Photo courtesy of El Paso Locomotive FC
Tampa Bay was still without Nick Moon, a key offseason addition and Charlie Dennis played only a handful of minutes once again this week. How Head Coach Robbie Neilson plans to use Dennis and Leo Fernandes when he is fit in the lineup is anyone guess. Daniel Crisostomo and Lewis Hilton make a good midfield partnership - Hilton even into his 30’s covers a lot of ground and Crisostomo as we’ve seen through the years in both MLS and USL can play box-to-box as well as further up the pitch or push wide .
After the match Neilson said “I can not fault the players one single bit. We lost a goal today that was an absolute worldie. One of the best goals you’ll ever see. Other than that, we controlled the game, we created loads of chances, the players worked hard. I think the fans will agree that it was an entertaining game tonight. There was a bit of tension trying to chase that equalizer and then chasing the win. The boys were outstanding. I think that was probably the most chances we’ve created in a game. We just couldn’t get that wee final moment. If we play like that throughout the season, we’ll be in a happy place throughout the season.”
The Rowdies return to national television with a showdown against red-hot New Mexico United next Saturday night from Al Lang Stadium. Kickoff on the CBS Sports Network is slated for 7:30.
When Tampa are fully fit, they might be the best team in the east although I know based on your Twitter, you seem to think Charleston has 20 good players or whatever
Tampa Bay will be win the east when it's all said and done.
They have more high-level players than anyone. Charleston has more good players than anyone, but not as many match winners.