Tampa, Fla – VSI Tampa Bay FC set sights on the Tampa Bay Rowdies this Tuesday, May 21 at Plant City Stadium after edging by Orlando City U23s this past Tuesday night in the first round of the US Open Cup.
USL PRO News Release, Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Dutch Lions Cruise Into Second Round; Take 3-0 victory against River City to start Open Cup campaign
VSI Tampa Bay FC returned from a 1-0 deficit to send the Barracudas back to Antigua with a 3-1 loss this past Friday evening.
The Antigua Barracudas entered the match with a late scratch as keeper Corey Whisenhunt replaced Molvin James. With no goals prior to the match this 2013 season, Antigua was delighted when their own Tamorley Thomas quickly redirected VSI keeper Alex Horwath's punch into the back of the net.
VSI Tampa Bay FC's Andriy Budnyy returned the favor not two minutes later but was called back on offsides. A foul on the Barracudas #2 Toric Robinson in the 21st minute of play set up a scoring opportunity for VSI; however, keeper Corey Whisenhunt was able to turn back two dangerous shots in succession by Douglas Dos Santos and Andriy Budnyy.
Antigua's Tamorley Thomas almost finished his second goal of the game off an ambitious shot in the 32' from 45 yards out that went just over top of VSI's net.
After numerous chances, VSI equalized the match with Tony Dontelli finishing a header from Alex Freitas' cross in the 52nd minute of play.
Minutes later Andriy Budnyy had his second goal of the match; which was also called back for offsides in the 55th minute.
VSI Tampa Bay FC's Mauricio Salles blasted a ball into the back of the net in the 69th minute to push VSI 
ahead of the Barracudas. Mauricio's second goal of the match secured a clean 3-1 lead for VSI Tampa Bay FC in the 92nd minute of the match.
Shortly before time was called, Antigua's #8 Alex Phillip was given a red card and sent off the field for a hard foul.
VSI Tampa Bay FC would end the match up 3-1 and now focuses its attention on the Open Cup match on May 14th , where VSI will face Orlando City's U23's at Seminole Soccer Complex in Orlando, Florida. VSI Tampa Bay FC then returns home on May 26th to face the Wilmington Hammerheads.
Tampa Bay FC is set to host a 3v3 Live tournament at Plant City Stadium that day leading up to the match. The single-day tournament is available to all age groups and all levels of competition.
To register for the 3v3 Live tournament click here. Registration for the tournament gets each tournament participant free entrance into the VSI vs Wilmington match that Sunday evening.
VSI Tampa Bay FC is weathering the Tampa rain this week in preparation for Antigua Barracudas FC on Friday evening.