VSI Tampa Bay fell 2-1 to the visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds Friday at Plant City Stadium.
After a forty-five minute delay to start the game, both teams took the field for a pressure filled match. VSI Tampa Bay, holding the eighth and final playoff spot, proved to be all the motivation Pittsburgh needed to propel them past the home team.
In the midst of the heavy traffic, VSI midfielder Tony Donatelli put VSI up 1-0 by finishing low into the corner. Pittsburgh tied the game up in the 58th minute when Rob Vincent found the back of the net. Sticking with the same strategy, Pittsburg would gain the lead after a properly weighted pass found Richard Costanzo in stride on the right flank. A great bit of individual skill allowed an opening for what would prove to beat VSI keeper Alex Horwath in the lower right hand corner to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
With three crucial points on the line and sitting in eighth place for the final playoff spot, VSI Tampa Bay gave their full attention to getting the equalizer the rest of the match. A free kick from substitute Mauricio Salles deflected just high to allow a corner. The corner from JT Noone reached the head of Josh Rife, only to see the ball sail over the crossbar. The home side would throw the extra attacker forward to try and find the equalizer, only to see the Pittsburg defense stand strong and earn the much needed three points on the road.
VSI Tampa Bay will return to Plant City Stadium Sunday night at 7 p.m. to host Orlando City (12-2-6) in search of three crucial points as the playoff race tightens with only a few games left in the regular season.
Tickets are available online at www.vsi-fc.com, or at the Plant City Stadium ticket window on game day.