ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – Tampa Bay Rowdies netminder CJ Cochran was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week on Tuesday for his stellar performance in net in Tampa Bay’s scoreless draw at Oakland Roots SC in Week 4 of the regular season. The match only ended in a scoreless stalemate thanks to four superb saves by Cochran to keep Oakland off the scoresheet.
Cochran was tasked with a stop only eight minutes in the match with Oakland as the hosts delivered a cross into the box for Charlie Dennis, who headed the ball toward goal but had to watch as Cochran swatted the ball away with his left hand. Cochran utilized his left hand again a few minutes before the halftime break, this time getting low to parry away a close-range blast from Ottar Karlsson.
As the Rowdies slowly gained a foothold against Oakland in the second half, the hosts still managed to create a few chances to challenge Cochran in the dying moments of the match. In the 89th minute, Cochran rushed off his line to shut down an Oakland attacker as he charged into the box. He then made his final stop deep into stoppage time, laying out to his left to deny a low strike.
Through five starts this season, Cochran has already secured three clean sheets to help keep the Rowdies unbeaten.
“This is why you want a good goalkeeper in net,” said Collins. “You know, CJ hasn’t had to face many shots this year, but from time to time through the season you’re going to have nights like (Oakland) where you’re going to have to rely on (the keeper) to make saves for you and CJ did that (in Oakland).”
Cochran is the second Rowdies player to earn USL Championship Team of the Week honors, following forward Juan Tejada’s selection in Week 2.
The Rowdies enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday, April 5 at Al Lang Stadium versus USL League Two’s The Villages SC at 7:30pm ET. Tickets for the match can be purchased here. Tampa Bay remains home to battle in-state rival Miami FC Saturday, April 9 at 7:30. Tickets for the rivalry match can be purchased here. Contact the Rowdies ticket office at 727-222-2000 to organize a group outing to Al Lang at a discounted rate.
