Draw, Loss Eliminate Rowdies from Playoffs By Carl Wagenfohr Photo by Carl Wagenfohr Aaron King scores Tampa's only goal during stoppage time, giving the Rowdies a tie with the Austin Aztex last Thursday. TAMPA - The Rowdies were eliminated from United Soccer Leagues playoff contention last week, tying the Austin Aztex 1-1 on Thursday night, but suffering a 3-0 loss to Montreal on Sunday. Thursday's game was a nail-biter. Following a scoreless first half, Austin forward Maxwell Griffin scored in the 50th minute. As regulation time ran out, the referee added four minutes of stoppage time. As the extra time was expiring, Rowdies forward Aaron King was in the right place to collect a rebound off the goal post and score the tying goal as he was falling onto his back. There was no such magic during Sunday's game at Montreal. Rowdies keeper Josh Lambo fouled an Impact player in the penalty area in the tenth minute, and Montreal midfielder Tony Donatelli scored the penalty kick. Impact forward Ali Gerba later added two goals, while the Rowdies finished the game scoreless. Two games remain on the Rowdies home schedule, this Friday versus the NSC Minnesota Stars, and on Friday, October 1, versus Crystal Palace Baltimore. Former Tampa Bay Mutiny midfielder Manny Lagos coaches the Minnesota Stars. The October 1 match will feature the retirement of Rowdies number 12, worn by original Rowdie, former Mutiny coach and current Rowdie Director of Player Development Perry Van Der Beck. Photo by Carl Wagenfohr Brighthouse Sports Network Reporter Victoria Lim takes a blistering shot in full stride during a halftime Rowdie alumni/celebrity match last Thursday. "This is going to sound cheesy, but I really am honored to participate in this game. This is the inaugural season for the new Rowdies, and to be able to participate in this way, and support the team in this way, and support the sport in this way, is really exciting to me," Lim said.

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