This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Former Eddie Daniel Antoniuk scores the game’s only goal
Coming in to Saturday’s contest against the Tampa Bay Rowdies FC Edmonton had played nine one-goal games. That trend continued in St. Petersburg, unfortunately for the Eddies it was the Rowdies who got the only tally.
The Rowdies enjoyed the majority of possession in the first 30 minutes of the game but Paul Hamilton was unlucky not to open the scoring at the 31 minute mark but the defender’s strike was amazingly cleared off the line by the head of Stuart Campbell.
The attempt seemed to spark the Eddies as the visitors managed two or three more shots just minutes later but Jeff Attinella stood tall in the Tampa goal.
It was former Eddie Daniel Antoniuk who finally opened the scoring in the 44th minute when the 6’3” striker headed home a Mike Ambersley cross to give the Rowdies the lead heading into the half.
Matt Clare had the first chance of the second half in the 51st minute but his shot was steered wide of the post by FCE’s John Smits in goal.
Antoniuk nearly made it 2-0 six minutes later but somehow his close-range effort was deflected wide.
Frankie Sanfilippo had a chance of his own in the 63rd minute but his header from inside the box hit the far post and stayed out but FC Edmonton were on their heels a little bit to start the second half.
Smits was called on minutes later and the ‘keeper made a big save to keep the deficit at one goal. Smits had to make another acrobatic save as Tampa kept the pressure on the visitors in the Florida heat.
Yashir Pinto was the first Eddie to have a chance in the second 45 but the speedy striker’s shot went harmlessly wide of goal.
Head coach Harry Sinkgraven made two changes up front bringing Michael Cox and Paul Craig into the game in the 75th minute. Pinto and Shaun Saiko were the players replaced. Sinkgraven made his last change in the 87th bringing Kenny Caceros on for Sérisay Barthélémy in search of the tying goal.
It was not to be however. Despite putting on a bit of pressure of their own in the dying minutes, the Eddies weren’t able to find the back of the net and fell 1-0 to the second place Rowdies.
“We fought hard as a team but in the end we didn’t get the points,” Sinkgraven said. “Overall I think we played well though.”
Next up for FCE is a home game on Saturday, Aug. 4 against the Minnesota Stars FC.
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