The Tampa Bay Rowdies laid claim to the Battle of the Bay Tuesday, as they defeated VSI Tampa Bay FC 2-1 at Plant City Stadium in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The game was a physical one between the two professional soccer clubs in the Tampa Bay area, including a penalty kick by both teams in the first 20 minutes of the first half. The Rowdies are an established club in the North American Soccer League, while VSI Tampa Bay FC are in their first professional season, competing in the United Soccer League, a step below the NASL.
Stuart Campbell scored the first goal of the game in the 20th minute on the Rowdies’ penalty kick. VSI responded in the 26th minute when Shawn Chin hooked up with JT Noone for a goal.
A score by Georgi Hristov late in the first half became the difference in the game, though VSI had several chances and shots on goal in the second half.
The loss eliminated VSI from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. The single-elimination tournament is open to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. This is the 100th anniversary of the cup.
VSI will return to USL PRO action May 26 against the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:30 p.m. at Plant City Stadium. Visit vsi-fc.com for tickets.