Late goal gives FC Tampa Bay draw with Atlanta

For most of Saturday night's FC Tampa Bay game, it seemed the team was following the script from its previous matches.

At home against Puerto Rico two weeks ago, FC Tampa Bay dominated possession and offensive chances, but couldn't score, losing 2-0.

In Montreal last week, FC Tampa Bay again had far more scoring chances, but couldn't manage to put the ball into the net, drawing 0-0.

At Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night, FC Tampa Bay (1-1-2) was again pressuring the net with no goals to show for it, until forward Mike Ambersley rewrote that script, scoring in the 74th minute to help the team earn a 1-1 draw with the Atlanta Silverbacks (0-3-1) in front of 3,021 fans.

"I'm happy we got something out of the game," FC Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said. "I'd be even happier if we got three points out of the game. Again I'm standing here talking about a glut full of chances that we're either spurning or not taking enough time, or care, or appreciation of; little things that amount to big things."

FC Tampa Bay had scoring chances in the first half but was wasteful yet again. Ambersley had a breakaway down the left wing but opted to pass the ball across the face of the goal instead of shooting. That pass was broken up and cleared.

Forward Warren Ukah successfully chipped the ball over Atlanta goalkeeper Felipe Quintero, but his attempt rolled wide of the post.

In the 43rd minute, Ukah cleverly turned with the ball at his feet and fired a shot, but Quintero dove to make the save, keeping FC Tampa Bay off the scoreboard in the first half.

FC Tampa Bay was dealt a poor hand early in the first half when starting goalkeeper Daryl Sattler was injured in the 10th minute after a collision just outside the box. Sattler immediately waved for help from the trainers and was forced out of the game with a right knee injury.

Former USF standout Jeff Attinella made his professional debut, coming off the bench just 10 minutes into the game.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Atlanta took the lead off a free kick. Silverbacks defender Mario Perez sent in a cross from 10 yards outside the box that found a wide-open Willie Hunt for a header. Attinella had come off his line, but Hunt beat him to the ball.

FC Tampa Bay's goal came after winger Pascal Millien stole the ball and sent it into the box to second-half substitute Aaron King. King then sent it on to Ambersley, who scored his first goal since arriving from A.C. St. Louis in the offseason.

FC Tampa Bay's homestand continues Saturday against the Carolina RailHawks.