Playing Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road was always going to be a tough task for a Philadelphia Union II team still short-handed from injury, but the young squad had plenty of positives to take from a 2-0 loss.
Kicking off more than two hours late because of a weather delay, the Rowdies got in front early when Malik Johnson was able to skip past Anton Sorenson near the end line and serve up former Philadelphia Union forward Leo Fernandes for a one-touch finish past Mitch Budler.
Ten minutes later, Paxten Aaronson nearly connected on a would be wonder goal in an equalizer bid in the 17th minute that clanked off the woodwork.