It happened. It took 5 years but the Rowdies are finally on the losing end of a Coastal Cup after a 3-2 loss to the Strikers at home. Of course losing out on a Coastal Cup was inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it stings any less for the club and its fans. Especially considering the way they ended up losing out on this year’s competition.

The Strikers were the side that looked the most convincing for the first 10 minutes of the match, pressing every Rowdies pass and putting pressure on the back four every time they looked to clear the ball from danger. Former Rowdies player, Fafa Picault was clearly the man the Strikers were looking to get the ball to on every attack.

The Rowdies weathered those first minutes and eventually managed to get put Fort Lauderdale’s defense in precarious spots. It paid off quickly as the Rowdies struck first on a goal from Captain Tamika Mkandawire in the 11 the minute. Midfielder Darel Russell delivered a free kick from the left wing high into that box that Keith Savage redirected onto goal, but he was denied by the crossbar, Luckily, the ball bounced directly to a wide open Tam, who wasted no time and one timed it straight into goal.

After Tam’s strike the match evened out and the Rowdies seemed to find their footing. The Strikers continued to test Ricky Hill’s high defensive line but couldn’t find the right timing on passes up to Fafa. The Rowdies had their own usual difficulties of poor form and impatience in the final third. None of that seemed to matter though in the 38th minute when Darel Russell found the back of the net to double the lead. This time, it was Savage on the right flank who kicked off the goal scoring sequence. Savage delivered a dummy free kick to the top of box where Russell created space for himself moving into the box with his first touch and buried the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot on his next touch. Both goals last night might technically count as goals scored in open play, but really they were the result of defensive breakdowns on set pieces from the Strikers. The Rowdies absolutely deserve credit for their execution and quality finishing on those sequences, but it sure would be nice to give them the same kudos on some goals from the run of play.

So with a two goal lead at home and only a few minutes remaining in the first half things were looking pretty good for the green and gold. Recent NASL player of the week for the Strikers, Mark Anderson was forced to come out after an unfortunate injury in the 42nd minute. This seemed like another small victory for the Rowdies. Sadly, Anderson’s substitute and former USF Bull, Shawn Chin didn’t see it the same way. One minute after coming on Chin delivered that perfect pass to Fafa his team had been looking for the entire half. And remarkably he did it again one minute later to tie things up at 2-2. The first goal was a great pass from Chin to play Fafa into open space in the box. There was not much center back Willie Hunt could do about it. He, and likely everyone on the Rowdies roster, is going to lose out in a foot race with Fafa Picault.

Focus is crucial when you’re matching up with a player that has Fafa’s incredible pace. Regrettably, the Rowdies back line lost theirs a few times and the Strikers made them pay for it. The second goal conceded sprung from a beautifully weighted long ball from Chine that Fafa easily brought down directly into his own path and chipped over Pickens. Right back Jordan got caught on the wrong side of Fafa on the long ball, and Pickens seemed completely surprised that Fafa brought down the ball so perfectly for himself. Fort Lauderdale’s game and Coastal Cup clincher came from Chin in the 56th minute. The Rowdies back line failed to close down on Fafa in the box and he fired off a shot that Pickens manage to block right into Chin’s path for a simple finish. Fafa should never be given that much space inside the box. And players cannot afford to be caught ball watching instead of marking open opponents in the box.

The Rowdies attack in the second half was in no position whatsoever to bail its defense out. The half saw a return to the inconsistent midfield play that has afflicted the Rowdies attack all year. Some have pointed to Shane Hill as a scapegoat for the midfield woes. But with Hill sidelined from injury the past two matches it’s clear that the issues go beyond one individual player. Sloppy is the one overwhelming word that comes to mind when describing the midfield play in the second half. The Rowdies don’t have that one guy to take over the midfield. To be calm and cool under pressure. Instead they get careless turnovers as a result of poor passes and players deciding to dribble into several opponents on their own. Other than being filled with Strikers players hitting the deck, the last 20 minutes of the match were filled with the Rowdies sending Hail Marys into the box. That hasn’t worked for the club all year, and it particularly has a slim chance at success against a back line as tall as the one the Strikers have. Tampa Bay needs a general with some composure to be the focal point in the midfield. It’s difficult to see one stepping up this late in the season.

It was inevitable that the Rowdies would not win a Coastal Cup. It was inevitable that Fafa Picault would punish the Rowdies high defensive line. And it was inevitable that the inconsistency in midfield would put the Rowdies playoff hopes on life support. Knowing these things doesn’t make them hurt any less though.