Ryan Spaulding Notches 1st Assist With Tampa Bay Rowdies
Ryan Spaulding Notches 1st Assist With Tampa Bay Rowdies
Spaulding's assist on Tampa's first goal helped the Rowdies secure a shutout victory!
New England Revolution loanee Ryan Spaulding has seen a good amount of playing time since joining USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies on April 21st. The 24-year-old defender had arguably his best appearance with Tampa Saturday night as the Rowdies hosted Phoenix Rising.
Tampa Bay rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation, which saw Spaulding play in a left midfielder role. A position Spaulding rarely played during his time with the Revolution.
Tampa Bay’s offense found the back of the net early. Some give-and-go passes between Spaulding and Charlie Dennis led to Spaulding driving up the left flank. Spaulding turned his attention centrally as he lobbed a crisp ball to J.J Williams, who leaped into the air and headed the ball into the back of the net to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead ten minutes in! Spaulding’s cross on the Williams goal notched the Cary, North Carolina native his first assist of the 2023 season.
Spaulding attempted to find the back of the net in the 54th minute as he sent a left-footed shot on goal but Rios Novo was all over it as he made the save. Spaulding attempted another shot in the 57th minute, but the shot was blocked and deflected away from danger.
Spaulding went the full ninety minutes as the Tampa Bay Rowdies secured three points with a 2-0 shutout victory over Phoenix. It was a good display by Spaulding as he ended the evening with 19/24 accurate passes, three chances created, 1/1 shot accuracy, 45 touches, 2/2 successful dribbles, 2/4 tackles won, one clearance, and three recoveries. Spaulding also led both sides in won duels with nine.