ST PETERSBURG, Fla – The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup returned to Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday night with a thoroughly dominant 6-0 victory over USL League Two’s The Villages SC. Veteran attacker Lucky Mkosana bagged the first two tallies as the Rowdies went on to convincingly book their place in the Third Round of the Open Cup later in the month.
“The most important thing was to move on to the next round,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “I thought it was important for two reasons. The players, I think they want that opportunity to play against the best. And for our fans. I get the impression they want us to progress and have those nights in the Open Cup hopefully here at Al Lang. So I’m please we’re on to the next round.”
Both of Mkosana’s tallies came through assists from one of his partners up top, Kyle Greig. In the 12th minute, Greig slipped Mksona through with a well-weighted pass into the box which Mksosana promptly deposited. Eight minutes later, Mkosana did well to hold his run just enough to stay onside and receive a through ball from Greig before sneaking another shot past keeper Andrew Muller.
“We had a vision going into the game,” said Mkosana. “Neill told us to press from the front and we were ale to keep that organization. Everything came from just playing and taking our chance. It was a really good effort from the team.”
After controlling the match the rest of the half, Tampa Bay extended the lead by another goal in the 36th minute. Jake Areman delivered a pinpoint cross in from the left wing for the head of Jordan Scarlett, who deftly redirected the ball into the back of the net.
In the 53rd minute, Mkosana and Greig were both in position to hammer home a cross from Areman, but Greig was the one to get a touch on the ball to redirect it across the goal line.
Midway through the second half, the Rowdies brought USL Academy signings Tate Johnson and Santi Castaneda off the bench for their professional debuts.
“Any night you can have the opportunity to give two young players that trained with us for two months and played in preseason games their professional debuts, that’s a good night,” said Collins.
Another substitute Jake LaCava added the fifth Rowdies tally of the night just a couple minutes after entering as he streaked down the left wing before rifling a low strike into the bottom left corner in the 63rd minute.
Midfielder Laurence Wyke added the sixth and final goal of the match in the 73rd minute. Driving down the right flank, Wyke cut inside and struck the ball toward the near post. Greig made a run toward the ball and missed out, but his run caused the keeper to hesitate and allow Wyke’s delivery to sneak into the goal.
The Rowdies will learn their opponent in the Third Round of the Open Cup from U.S. Soccer on Friday. In the meantime, the Rowdies return to USL Championship action on Saturday, April 9 when in-state rival Miami FC comes to Al Lang. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
Scoring Summary
Mkosana (Greig), 12’
Mkosana (Greig), 20’
Scarlett (Areman), 36’
Greig (Areman), 53’
LaCava, 63’
Wyke, 63’
