skip navigation

Gameday Report: Red Bulls II, Rowdies end all square

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/23/22, 3:07PM EDT

Share

Tampa Bay scores late to equalize, has penalty kick overturned by officials, resulting in 1-1 draw

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies were held to a 1-1 draw by the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park as the visitors got a late goal to level the score before a potential game-winning penalty kick for the Rowdies was overturned by the officiating crew in the final minute.  

The Rowdies opened on the front foot and in just the third minute Jake LaCava – with Tampa Bay on loan from the New York Red Bulls – had a shot from 20 yards that was parried away by New York’s AJ Marcucci. The visitors put the ball in the net in the 22nd minute only for Conner Antley to be ruled offside in the build-up, but for their possession advantage the Rowdies were unable to create a major chance before the break. The closest the visitors came to taking the lead arrived in the 31st minute when Dayonn Harris’ shot from the right side of the penalty area was palmed over the crossbar by Marcucci.  

That proved key in the final minute of the half as Jeremy Rafanello put the Red Bulls II ahead on a free kick beyond the top-right edge of the penalty area that clipped off the defensive wall and found the top-right corner of the net to put the hosts ahead. The Rowdies tried to find a way back into the game in the second half and had a penalty claim turned down with 15 minutes to go when LaCava wove into the penalty area but had his shot blocked by Juan Castillo as the ball appeared to deflect off the defender’s arm after his lunging challenge had initially denied the effort.

Tampa Bay’s persistence paid off with five minutes to go, however, as Leo Fernandes leveled the game, putting home the rebound after Marcucci had initially saved a shot by Antley toward the bottom-left corner. The Rowdies then appeared to have a chance to go ahead from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, but after consulting with his assistant, referee Matthew Thompson reversed his decision, negating the penalty kick. Fernandes had a chance in stoppage time that was saved by Marcucci as the visitors tried to grab a late win, but the contest ended all square as the Red Bulls II played to their first draw of the season.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

AJ Marcucci, New York Red Bulls II – Marcucci recorded six saves to keep the Rowdies at bay as the hosts earned a point from one of the Eastern Conference contenders on home turf.

Scoring Summary
NY
– Jeremy Rafanello 45’
TBR – Leo Fernandes 85’

Full Box Score

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos