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Rowdies get first win in preseason

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY

nmurray@tampatrib.com

Published: March 20, 2010

TAMPA - The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies earned the first victory of their preseason as a goal by Aaron Wheeler gave the side a 1-0 victory against Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union at Pepin Stadium on Friday night.

After a short free kick down the left side in the fifth minute saw Gordon Klestjan get his initial cross blocked the ball came back to Japanese midfielder Takuya Yamada who put a first-time cross into the area. Wheeler found space behind his marker and sent a looping header over Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz and into the net.

"It was perfect," Wheeler said. "The center back just dropped off me and Yama put a perfect ball in and I was just able to meet it."

Wheeler had to leave the game a short while later after he first rolled his ankle before his defender trod on the top of his foot. Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish said he hoped the injury wasn't too severe.

"Aaron's been terrific since day one," Dalglish said. "He really is, at 21 years of age, 6-foot-5, with his finishing ability he's a bit special, and he's been a real plus for us."

Dalglish was happiest, though, with the way the team worked, especially in its own end. The Rowdies kept their defensive shape well making it hard for the Union to break them down.

Philadelphia did create opportunities in either half, though, and goalkeeper Daryl Sattler did well to deny MLS SuperDraft No.1 pick Danny Mwanga and recent Union addition Roger Torres in the first half.

The Rowdies were dangerous too, with Aaron King playing well after coming on for Wheeler and Pascal Millien finding opportunities behind the Union defense as Philadelphia's full backs played further up the field than normal.

"Their full backs were playing too high, they were leaving big channels where the full backs should have been," Dalglish said. "We were just trying to exploit those holes."

Long Tan almost did just that early in the second half, getting the ball on the left before cutting past his defender and appearing to be brought down in the penalty area, but the referee waved away the Rowdies' appeals for a penalty.

Philadelphia then began to build some pressure, with former U.S. Under-17 international Jack McInerney looking dangerous, but the Union weren't able to create a good opportunity until the 67th minute, Pat Noone seeing his shot go just the wrong side of the right post and into the side-netting from close range.

The Rowdies looked the more likely to find the game's second goal late, though, King firing wide with a fierce left-footed shot and Chad Burt firing over after good work by Tan to released him on the left, but Wheeler's goal would prove all the Rowdies would need for their first victory.

"It's all about progression," Wheeler said. "Tonight to come through with our first win it's really big. We're showing we can compete on any level, whether it's MLS, NASL, we just want people to know who we are and what we're here to do."

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