ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — This weekend, the Tampa Bay Rowdies will play within the USL Championship japanese convention closing for the third consecutive season. One of many greatest explanation why is the efficiency of goalkeeper Phil Breno.
Within the convention semifinal, Breno got here up with an enormous penalty kick save towards Memphis in further time to protect a scoreless tie. Moments later, Rowdies midfielder Leo Fernandes scored on a penalty kick of his personal to seal a win for Tampa Bay.
“Once you speak about curler coaster of feelings, I believe anybody that watched that sport… that needs to be the definition within the dictionary,” Rowdies head coach Neill Collins mentioned concerning the finish of his workforce’s final sport.
Breno tried to keep away from the curler coaster earlier than he saved the Rowdies’ season.
“It’s humorous mother requested me- ‘My coronary heart was pounding. How was yours?’ There was so much going by means of my thoughts,” Breno mentioned after observe. “Primarily, I used to be simply centered on who’s taking the kick. I attempted to not rise up in all of the drama that was occurring. I wasn’t making an attempt to get my thoughts psyched out in that means.“
The 26-year-old had a easy formulation for the most important save of his profession.
“Simply kinda dedicated to at least one course, and that was it.”
Breno’s the third goalie utilized by Tampa Bay this season after C.J. Cochran suffered a season-ending leg damage and Raiko Arozarena struggled together with his consistency. Collins mentioned Breno’s capability to shine in large moments is a product of him doing the entire little issues the correct means.
“Consistency, by way of simply doing the straightforward issues nicely. The [penalty kick save] is one thing that’s like a bonus,” Collins added. “It’s actually extra his normal play that’s what’s gotten us- as a team- that platform to construct on. So actually happy with that.”
Breno had a quick stint with the Charleston Battery within the USL Championship. He additionally performed for Ahead Madison of USL League One- a division beneath the place the Rowdies and Battery play. Six months in the past, Phil mentioned he had doubts about whether or not skilled soccer was the correct profession alternative. He mentioned becoming a member of the Rowdies re-lit his aggressive hearth.
“I simply really feel comfortable. I received a stable psychological reset down right here, and I believe undoubtedly received a re-boost… somewhat shot of soccer in me, and I’m loving it once more,” Breno added. “Deal with this week. If it turns into subsequent week, it turns into subsequent week. And that’s actually what I’m centered on. I’m not centered on the rest.”
The Rowdies face Louisville Metropolis FC for the correct to play within the USL Championship closing towards the winner of Colorado Springs and San Antonio. Kickoff in Louisville is ready for 7:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay has overwhelmed Louisville in every of the final two japanese convention finals. COVID-19 pressured the cancellation of the 2020 USL Championship title sport between the Rowdies and Phoenix. Tampa Bay misplaced the 2021 closing 3-1 towards Orange County SC.