ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Even wet conditions could not slow the recent surge for Alex Morrell and the Rowdies as the midfielder tallied both goals in a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in front of 5,737 fans at Al Lang Stadium Saturday. Morrell and Tampa Bay have been on an upswing in recent weeks and the 23-year-old delivered in a big way against Pittsburgh amidst soggy conditions to help his squad improve to 9-5-7 (34pts). The Riverhounds now stand at 5-8-8 overall (23pts) after another fruitless road outing.

Scoring: 
11’ – TBR – Alex Morrell
76’ – TBR – Alex Morrell (Marcel Schäfer)

• #TBRvPGH: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Morrell continued his midseason tear for the Rowdies with perhaps his finest outing of the year, grabbing his first two goals of the season to add to a four-game stretch that has seen the Florida native also assist on the game-winning strikes in victories over rivals FC Cincinnati and the Charleston Battery. In the 11th minute, Morrell was on the spot as a rebound from a sharp angle shot by Schäfer flashed across a gaping net. In the 76th minute, the two linked up again as Schäfer’s lofted cross was met by the right foot of Morrell who sent it back in the direction it came and into the top corner. The impressive performance caps an outstanding July for the midfielder who had made just three starts on the year prior to the start of the month.
   
• 2. With the three wins separated only by a 1-1 draw against Orlando City B on July 13, Stuart Campbell’s side has bounced back nicely from a seven-match winless streak that preceded the recent turn of form, regaining the balanced production that saw the Rowdies establish themselves as Eastern Conference frontrunners over the first six weeks of the season. The victory also ran the Rowdies home unbeaten streak to seven, a stretch that has seen Tampa Bay outscore visitors, 11-2. Al Lang Stadium has proven to be a fortress of sorts as the Rowdies now boast a ledger that features eight shutouts in 11 home outings, including three in-a-row. With Saturday’s result, Tampa Bay became the first Eastern Conference team to reach eight home wins in 2017.
   
• 3. Conversely, the loss continued the road woes for the Riverhounds who have not captured a victory away from home since a 1-0 win at Ottawa on May 13. Playing on the road for the fourth time in its last five, Pittsburgh challenged Rowdies keeper Matt Pickens with five shots on target but were denied each time. In seven away contests that have followed the victory at Fury FC, the Riverhounds have totaled just two goals but despite the offensive struggles, Dave Brandt’s men should not be forgotten in the crowded Eastern Conference standings as Pittsburgh will close the season with six of 10 remaining games at Highmark Stadium.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Alex Morrell, Tampa Bay Rowdies – Morrell continued to find his stride and command a central role in a stacked Rowdies attack, bagging a brace that sent his side to three points  

Upcoming Games:
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Harrisburg City Islanders – August 5, 7:30 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Richmond Kickers – August 5, 7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium