Rowdies pleased with preseason progress

Facing Major League Soccer opposition for the first time, the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies took a big step forward from their first preseason outing as they secured a 2-2 tie against FC Dallas on Friday night.

"The intensity was a lot better, some of the organizational stuff was a lot better," Rowdies midfielder Jeremy Christie said.

The game at the University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium was part of the Tom Fitzgerald Soccer Festival.

With a starting lineup that could begin the MLS season in two weeks, FC Dallas found its stride first, but the Rowdies' tenacity in midfield and defense didn't afford Dallas much in the way of clear opportunities.

Even when Dallas was able to take advantage of its pressure, Rowdies goalkeeper Daryl Sattler saved well or the opportunity was squandered, Atiba Harris' first touch letting him down on a golden chance in the 29th minute.

The Rowdies didn't create as many chances, but a good spell of pressure that included a fierce shot by Stanley Nyazamba that was deflected wide in the 35th minute allowed the team to find more rhythm in the Dallas half.

On the back of that momentum, Chad Burt gave the Rowdies the lead in the 38th minute, firing a blistering free kick from 30 yards out into the right side of the net.

"The wall was a little off-center," Burt said. "We did well to get into the attack and get the foul there and I just put my head down, put it where I wanted it and it went in."

Currently on trial with the club, Burt is in negotations for a contract for the upcoming season and was very happy with the way the side competed.

"The work ethic was all over," Burt said. "Man for man, we did exactly what we wanted."

Dallas hit back twice early in the second half. Less than a minute after the break Jason Yeisley broke in down the right channel, and his low cross into the penalty area found Ruben Luna for a first-time strike from 15 yards out.

Luna was on the mark again four minutes later, scoring off the rebound after Eric Avila's shot came back off the post.

The Rowdies quickly got back on even terms, with Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe scoring two minutes later.

Both sides pushed for a winner, the Rowdies coming close through Joe Donoho, who saw his header from a Romain Onteniente corner go just wide.

Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman reacted well to deny Nyazamba an opportunity as the Rowdies counterattacked quickly from their own penalty area late in the game.

In the end, though, honors ended even, much to the satisfaction of Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish.

"You can't underestimate what the guys have achieved in less than two weeks," Dalglish said.