Tampa Bay Rowdies ground out a 1–0 victory over Indy Eleven on Saturday, with Mattheus netting the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute to secure all three points in USL Championship action.

The first half produced no goals but plenty of edge. Rowdies midfielder Dion Acoff picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute, and Indy Eleven's Paco Craig followed him into the referee's notebook 11 minutes later. Neither booking escalated further, but the cards set the tone for a physical, tightly contested opening 45 minutes.

The deadlock broke eight minutes into the second half. Russell Cicerone carved out the chance, and Mattheus finished to put the Rowdies ahead. It was the moment of quality the match needed after a cagey first period.

From there, Tampa Bay managed the game effectively. Indy Eleven pushed for an equalizer but could not find a way through, and the Rowdies held firm to see out the clean sheet.

The win gives Tampa Bay valuable points at home and keeps them moving in the right direction as the USL Championship season hits its stride.