High drama as Rowdies advance to conference title game

The Rowdies advanced to the USL Eastern Conference championship game after a dramatic 1-0 win at Memphis.

Leo Fernandes converted a penalty kick in the ninth minute of extra time for the winning score. That came about four minutes after goalkeeper Phil Breno stopped a Memphis penalty kick that, if converted, would have ended the Rowdies’ season.

The Rowdies, in their third consecutive conference title game, are at top-seeded Louisville City FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“I think six months ago we lose that game, maybe even three months ago we lose that game,” coach Neill Collins said.

– Joe Henderson, Extensive Enterprises Media