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Rowdies home opener a 0-0 battle

 
The Rowdies’ Justin Chavez, right, and Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra battle for the ball in the first half. The scoreless tie drops Tampa Bay to 1-0-1.
The Rowdies’ Justin Chavez, right, and Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra battle for the ball in the first half. The scoreless tie drops Tampa Bay to 1-0-1.
Published April 12, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — It was about as exciting as 0-0 gets. For the final 45 minutes the Rowdies did just about everything they could to reward a sold-out crowd Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium but in the end settled for a scoreless draw with Minnesota.

Tampa Bay (1-0-1) has four points from its first two games, against two of the NASL's better clubs, but Brian Shriver very nearly made it a full six points. On a hustling cross from fellow substitute Martin Nunez, Shriver's header appeared to be the winner in the 90th minute. In fact, the entire south side of the stadium thought the ball was in, but it landed in the side netting.

"That moment, when I looked up and everybody thought it was in, I think you could hear the crowd all the way in Tampa," said Corey Hertzog, who was responsible for some anticipatory screams himself as the Rowdies applied pressure throughout the second half.

With 20 minutes left, Tampa Bay had a two-on-one opportunity, but Hertzog's shot was deflected away by a defender, followed by a wild scramble that ended with Shriver whistling one low past the left post. His 20-yard scorcher early in the second half was well saved by Sammy Ndjock.

Robert Hernandez's speed and skill often left Minnesota defenders flailing, but he also missed on a doorstep chance to score in the 53rd minute. Georgi Hristov's cross from the left wing curled perfectly around two defenders, but with Ndjock beaten, Hernandez sent the ball wide.

"I'm pleased with the performance, but not happy with the result," said coach Thomas Rongen. "I'm disappointed, more so for the fans. Saying that, it was a good game."

Minnesota could've easily scored in the first half, when Rongen said the team came out conservative. It had two serious bids, including one when many in the sold-out crowd — an announced 7,010 — had yet to enter the park. Five minutes in, Jonny Steele was sent on goal and had a clean look from 12 yards in. But Kamil Contofalsky got a hand on the ball, just enough to send it off the right post.

About 20 minutes later Contofalsky's inability to clear an innocent-looking ball had disaster staring him in the face, but he was able to recover and swat away Christian Ramirez's attempt.

Only Fort Lauderdale tallied a victory of the four NASL games played Saturday, leaving the Rowdies and the New York Cosmos tied for the lead. They play Saturday night in New York.