“It was frustrating because Michael Nanchoff’s deliveries have been pretty good this season and we changed it. Everyone went back post tonight. But we got on the money there and it was good to be on the end of it,” Collins said. “I thought we deserved it.”
It was a sobering reminder that even Rowdies are human. Their opponent, St Louis FC, was on a four-game losing streak, but struck first after 58 minutes of play to take the lead 1-0. Tampa Bay couldn’t answer back with a winner, but did salvage a draw against the struggling side.
But to err is human and the Rowdies were not the only humans on the field.
Refereeing miscues took center stage, starting in the opening minutes of the evening. The referee was quicker to hand out yellow cards quicker than Oprah can hand out a car to unsuspecting audience members, and quickly fueled the frustration and anger of players that lasted throughout the match.
“It affects individuals,” Collins said. “It takes a slight competitive edge off because you feel one wrong tackle and you could be sent off.
Even the habitually at-ease coach Stuart Campbell aired a bit of his frustrations on how the match was officiated.
“I don’t think there was a bad tackle all night, from both teams,” Campbell said. “For me, a lot of the yellow cards were soft.”
But these frustrations were not used as excuses. Though a tough draw, the Rowdies are still kicking it in second place, only two points shy of the top spot.
“That’s the best part of being a professional soccer player; playing games,” Campbell said. He added that the best part was also playing on the home field in front of the home fans.
“Those fans, who were absolutely great, create a fantastic atmosphere. They were a big part of getting us back in the game.”
The boys will be on the road for the foreseeable future, but return to Al Lang on Saturday, June 10 to look for revenge against the Rochester Rhinos.
This article appears in May 25 – Jun 1, 2017.