Another Disappointing Defeat for the Hometown Soccer Team... What Next?

ST. PETERSBURG - Despite learning on Tuesday that starting goalkeeper Daryl Sattler would miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee last weekend, FC Tampa Bay players and coaches had high hopes of getting back on the winning track against the Carolina Railhawks this past Saturday.

But instead of playing spirited, stubborn defense in front of rookie keeper Jeff Attinella, FC Tampa Bay had its worst defensive showing of the season by missing assignments and failing to provide adequate coverage on numerous occasions, which led to a disheartening 3-1 defeat at Al Lang Field.

“If I analyze the three goals that they scored, they’re three of the cheapest goals that I’m ever going to see,” head coach Ricky Hill said after the loss.

“I can’t hold Jeff accountable for any of the goals whatsoever. It was a very good start for him. Unfortunately…we gifted them opportunities.”

It was a harsh assessment of a unit that had been the most consistent component of the team so far this season.

But Hill, not one to mince words, wants and expects more from his players on both sides of the ball.

After surrendering a goal to Carolina forward Etienne Barbara in the 19^th minute of the match, FC Tampa Bay (1-2-2) answered right back when midfielder Pascal Millien zipped a shot into the left hand corner of the net four minutes later to even the match at one goal apiece.

“It feels great to…finally put one in the back of the net,” a banged up Millien said after the game. “But… we gotta take care of our home field. We gotta get a win.”

Hope for a win faded quickly after Carolina forward Brian Farber raced past two defenders and easily slid a shot into the left corner just seven minutes after halftime to give the Railhawks a 2-1 advantage.

All chance for a comeback was lost when Etienne was credited with a goal that deflected in off Tampa Bay defender Omar Jaruan’s back on a crossing pass in the 76^th minute.

“A very, very unfortunate deflection for us,” Attinella said.

Although FC Tampa Bay outplayed Carolina for much of the match and had numerous scoring opportunities that barely missed the goal, the end result was another disappointing defeat for the club.

“I’m very pleased…with certain aspects of our game. I feel the effort is there,” Hill added. “But just playing football without any end product or any goals to show for it isn’t what I’m about.”

FC Tampa Bay plays again on Wednesday night at 7 against FC Edmonton at Al Lang Field.