Tampa Bay, Miami Leave Frustrated After Splitting Points At Al Lang Stadium

Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

Neither Miami FC nor Tampa Bay hurt its chances of advancing to The Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament, after a spirited 1-1 draw at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night. Both teams remain hot on the trail of Minnesota United for the fourth and final postseason spot.

A quick counterattack led to the Tampa Bay (5W-5D-6L, 20 Fall; 9-9-8, 36 Combined) goal in the 31st minute. Carlos Preciado led the break, passing to Georgi Hristov on the left. Hristov slid a ball across the top of the area to Eric Avila for a left-footed shot that eluded Miami FC (8-5-4, 29 points Fall; 9-9-9, 36 Combined) goalkeeper Daniel Vega.

Miami FC drew even in the 74th minute when defender Rhett Bernstein, who had gone forward for a corner kick, pounced on a misplay in the Rowdies’ goal box to rap a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

Tampa Bay is now unbeaten in six games, but had its two-game winning streak stopped.

For more information on the game, go to rowdiessoccer.com and miamifc.com