It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was a little frustrating, but the Rowdies managed to fight off an early deficit and finish Saturday night’s matchup with Ottawa with a 1-1 draw.
This match had the making of everything that makes your grandfather wonder why you watch this over “real American football”: Nobody won, and there was a lot of falling down. A lot. Like, Ottawa players might have been better off with skates and ice holding sticks rather than trying to hoof it on turf.
“It was a scrappy little game, a lot of stoppages and free kicks here, taking a long time to get the restart, having a water break,” Coach Stuart Campbell said. “I thought it was a scrappy old game and I was hoping we would nick one in the end. But it wasn’t to be.”
The draw felt like a shame, considering the Rowdies have won every home match since July 6, and haven’t lost at home April.
“It’s unusual. We’ve been excellent at home with the atmosphere; the supporters are absolutely fantastic and I think it was a really, really big crowd tonight and we want to get the win for them,” Campbell said. “It seems a bit strange dropping points at home. We’re not used to that, but that’s life. Get on with it.”
A “really, really big crowd” it was. Second highest recorded attendance this week, actually, topping 6,700 — about 1,000 shy of the season high of 7,700 for the first match this year.
Georgi Hristov could easily take home the title of "man of the match." Ottawa scored the opening goal to take the lead in the third minute, but the lead was short-lived.
Marcel Schafer ushered the ball up the left wing and picked out a teammate with a low cross that was deflected right to Hristov’s foot. Hristov slotted the ball past the keeper with ease, scoring the tying goal after 11 minutes of play.
“Marcel’s crosses are dangerous every time,” Hristov said. “I’ve been told by coach, just be positive and goals are going to come as long as I do what I’m supposed to do on the field. But obviously, I would prefer to win and not score a goal.”
The Rowdies will now enter into an off week next week, much to the dismay of fans and players.
“I’m sure if you ask the guys, they want to play on a Saturday night,” Campbell said about the night off.
The team will then head into an extended road trip, playing away at New York, Harrisburg and Bethlehem (PA), before coming home for three consecutive matches, which will be “crucial,” according to Campbell.
The good news is Joe Cole (back injury) and Keith Savage (ankle injury) are both expected to be available for the match in New York.
This article appears in Aug 17-24, 2017.