Tampa Bay Rowdies facts for kids
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| Full name | Tampa Bay Rowdies | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Rowdies | |||
| Founded | June 18, 2008 | |||
| Stadium | Al Lang Stadium St. Petersburg, Florida |
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| Stadium capacity |
7,500 | |||
| Owners | Tampa Bay Rays (Stuart Sternberg) |
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| Head coach | Robbie Neilson | |||
| League | USL Championship | |||
| 2023 | 2nd, Eastern Conference Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals |
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The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a professional soccer team from St. Petersburg, Florida. The club started in 2008 and played its first game in 2010. Since 2017, the Rowdies have been part of the USL Championship. This league is the second-highest level of soccer in the United States. Before that, they played in other second-tier leagues like the USSF Division 2 (in 2010) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 2011 to 2016. The Rowdies play their home games at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
This team is like a "phoenix club" because it shares its name, logo, and some traditions with the original Tampa Bay Rowdies. That first team played from 1975 to 1993. When the new club started in 2008, they wanted to use the old Rowdies' name. However, they had some legal issues. So, they had to call themselves FC Tampa Bay until December 2011. That's when they finally got the rights to use the "Rowdies" name and other team symbols. Even when they couldn't use the name, the current Rowdies always used the same green and yellow colors and "hoops" design as the original team.
The Rowdies won the NASL championship in Soccer Bowl 2012. Their team badge has two stars. One star is for their 2012 win. The other star is for the 1975 Soccer Bowl championship won by the original Rowdies. The club has a long-standing rivalry with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. This rivalry is called the Florida Derby. It started when the original Rowdies and Strikers first played each other in 1977. The Rowdies were also named co-league champions in 2020. They won the USL Regular Season title and the Eastern Conference Championship. But the final championship game was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They won the Eastern Conference Championship again in 2021 but lost in the final game.
In October 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team bought the Rowdies. They also took control of Al Lang Stadium.
Team History
The first Tampa Bay Rowdies team started in 1975. They were a new team in the original North American Soccer League. They played for 10 seasons at Tampa Stadium. The original Rowdies also won three indoor soccer titles in 1976, 1979–1980, and 1983. The NASL league ended in 1984. After that, the team played in other leagues before stopping in 1993.
Between the old and new Rowdies teams, the Tampa Bay Mutiny played in Major League Soccer from 1996 to 2001. The Mutiny team was not connected to either Rowdies team. But they often honored the first Rowdies by wearing their colors. Sometimes, their jerseys even had both the Mutiny and Rowdies logos.
On June 18, 2008, some local business people decided to start a new soccer club. They wanted to bring back the Rowdies name as FC Tampa Bay Rowdies. They planned to start playing in 2010. In December 2013, a local businessman named Bill Edwards bought most of the club. In October 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team bought the Rowdies.
Name Changes
In January 2010, the club had to change its name to "FC Tampa Bay." This was because of a legal problem with a company over the rights to the "Tampa Bay Rowdies" name. The team still used the "Rowdies" nickname unofficially for a while. But in October 2010, they stopped using it completely until the problem was fixed.
On December 15, 2011, after two seasons, the club announced good news. They had finally made a deal to use the "Rowdies" name and old logos. This meant they could change their name back to "Tampa Bay Rowdies" before the 2012 season.
Key Seasons
The team played its first official game on April 16, 2010. They won 1–0 against Crystal Palace Baltimore. The first goal in team history was scored by Aaron King. The first home game was on May 8, 2010, at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It was a 2–2 tie. The team started well but then struggled. They did win the 2010 Ponce De Leon Cup.
For the 2011 season, FC Tampa Bay joined the new North American Soccer League. They also moved their home field to Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. Former original Rowdie player Ricky Hill became the team's manager. The club started slowly but then played much better. A big moment was a 1–0 win in a friendly game against the Bolton Wanderers from the English Premier League.
The 2012 season was special because the "Rowdies" name came back. It was also the most successful season for the modern Rowdies. The club finished second in the league. They became NASL champions by winning Soccer Bowl 2012. The Rowdies won the championship in a penalty shootout after a tough two-game series. Manager Ricky Hill was named the NASL Coach of the Year.
In 2013, the defending champions had a slow start. But they improved in league play. They even had a great run in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They beat Seattle Sounders FC from MLS. Even though they had many points, they didn't make the playoffs due to a new league format. Georgi Hristov led the team in goals and was named the NASL's MVP.
The Rowdies had a tough year in 2014, finishing low in the standings. Manager Ricky Hill left after the season. In 2015, Thomas Rongen became the new manager. The team also brought in Farrukh Quraishi, who was a player for the original Rowdies. The team traveled to Portugal for preseason games, their first international tour. They started the season well but then struggled, missing the playoffs.
In 2016, the Rowdies visited England for preseason games. They played well there but had a difficult NASL season. They missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Before their last game, the team announced they would leave the NASL. They decided to join the United Soccer League (USL) for the 2017 season.
The Rowdies did very well in their first USL season in 2017. They lost only once at home and finished third in their conference. They made it to the playoffs but lost in extra time in the semifinals. In 2018, after a strong start, the team had some losses. Coach Stuart Campbell was replaced by Neill Collins. Georgi Hristov became the Rowdies' all-time top scorer.
The 2019 season started very strong, with the team not losing in their first 13 matches. They finished 5th in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs. They lost in the first round. The club also partnered with Norwich City FC.
In 2020, the Rowdies won their division and the Eastern Conference Championship. They were named co-league champions, but the final game was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, they won the Eastern Conference again but lost in the championship game. They continued to perform strongly in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, making the playoffs.
Home Stadium
Al Lang Stadium
The Rowdies have played their home games at Al Lang Stadium since 2011. It's a stadium with 7,500 seats in downtown St. Petersburg. It used to be a baseball stadium. When the Rowdies first moved there, the field was set up across the baseball diamond. Over time, the stadium has been changed to be more soccer-friendly.
In 2015, the stadium had a big makeover. The field was re-arranged to run differently. New, larger seats were added closer to the action. This made Al Lang Stadium much better for soccer fans.
Stadium Management
For a while, Al Lang Stadium was still used for baseball games. This meant the soccer field often had problems. The pitcher's mound and dirt infield had to be removed and put back often. This caused wear and tear on the grass.
In 2013, Bill Edwards became the main owner of the Rowdies. He was not happy with the stadium's condition. After many complaints, the Rowdies filed a lawsuit in 2014. They said the stadium was not being kept up properly. The problem was solved later that year. Bill Edwards' company took over managing Al Lang Stadium. The stadium would no longer be used for baseball. Edwards also agreed to spend money to make it better for soccer.
Former Stadiums
When the club started in 2008, they planned to build a new soccer stadium in Tampa. But these plans were stopped because people living nearby worried about noise and parking.
So, FC Tampa Bay played its first season in 2010 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. This was a baseball stadium. Sharing the stadium caused some problems. It was hard to schedule games because the soccer and baseball seasons overlapped. Also, the pitcher's mound and dirt infield could not be removed. This made the soccer field smaller than usual. Part of the field was even dirt, which was difficult to play on. Because of these issues, the team moved to Al Lang Stadium for their second season.
Future Plans
The city of St. Petersburg has been thinking about future plans for the waterfront area, including Al Lang Stadium. Some ideas suggest building a brand new soccer stadium there. The former club owner, Bill Edwards, hoped that Al Lang Stadium could be replaced by an 18,000-seat soccer stadium. This would help the Rowdies become a Major League Soccer team.
Team Culture
Badge
When the team first started playing in 2010, their badge was a green and yellow shield. It had the name "FC Tampa Bay" and one star. That star stood for the original Rowdies winning Soccer Bowl 1975. The badge changed before the 2012 season to the original "Rowdies" text logo. A second star was added after the club won Soccer Bowl 2012.
In 2021, the club added another badge. It still had the text logo and stars. But it also included a figure like Ralph Rowdie. Ralph Rowdie was the mascot of the original club. This new badge also had the numbers "75" and "10." "75" is for 1975, when the original club started. "10" is for 2010, when the current club first played.
Supporters
Ralph's Mob is a group of fans who support the Rowdies. They are named after "Ralph Rowdie," the mascot of the original team. This group is known for wearing green and gold striped scarves, socks, and face paint. They cheer loudly for their team and sometimes tease opponents. This is similar to how the "Fannies" supported the original Rowdies. Ralph's Mob has a special seating area at home games. Many members also travel to away games, especially when the Rowdies play their rival in Fort Lauderdale. Another group, the Skyway Casuals, are fans from areas south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Rivalries
The Rowdies have a big rivalry with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. This rivalry started in 1977 between the original teams. It was called the Florida Derby. This name came back in the late 1990s when both cities had MLS teams. It returned again in 2010 when the modern teams started playing each other. The rivalry is currently on hold due to legal issues.
Coastal Cup
The Coastal Cup started in 2010. It was first played between the Rowdies and the Strikers. Later, other Florida teams like Jacksonville Armada FC and Miami FC joined the competition.
Youth Teams
The Rowdies have had developmental teams for younger players. In 2015, they announced a team called Rowdies 2. This team played in the National Premier Soccer League in 2016. The original Tampa Bay Rowdies also had a similar reserve team. Rowdies 2 played one season and then stopped.
In 2017, the Rowdies started a team called Rowdies U23. This team played in the Premier Development League (now USL League Two). They played one season and then stopped for a few years. In 2020, the Rowdies U23 team was restarted in USL League Two.
In 2017, the Rowdies also partnered with a youth club called Tampa Bay United. This club serves as their youth affiliate. In 2021, Tampa Bay United took the place of the Rowdies U23 team in USL League Two.
Players and Staff
Roster
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Coaching and Medical Staff
Robbie Neilson – Head Coach
Nicky Law – Assistant Coach- Stuart Dobson – Assistant Coach
Eric Wilde – Assistant Coach
Russell Stirling – Assistant Coach- Pete Calabrese – Performance Coach
- Dave Walker – Head Athletic Trainer
- Dr. Justin Thompson – Team Physician
Front Office
- Brian Auld – Vice Chairman
- Matt Silverman – Vice Chairman
- Ryan Helfrick – Chief Operating Officer
Nico Castillo - Head Soccer Operations
Head Coaches
| Head Coach | Years | *Matches | *Win-Draw-Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Dalglish |
2009–2010 | 30 | 7–11–12 |
| Perry Van der Beck |
2010 | 2 | 1–0–1 |
| Ricky Hill |
2011–2014 | 120 | 45–35–40 |
 Thomas Rongen |
2014–2015 | 19 | 7–5–7 |
| Stuart Campbell |
2015–2018 | 92 | 33–27–32 |
| Neill Collins |
2018–2023 | 176 | 97-34-45 |
| Stuart Dobson |
2023 | 5 | 0-2-3 |
| Nicky Law |
2023 | 15 | 9-1-5 |
| Robbie Neilson |
2024–present | #0 | 0-0-0 |
*Includes U.S. Open Cup and playoff matches. #Totals through the 2024 season.
Retired Numbers
When a number is "retired," it means no other player on the team will wear that jersey number again. It's a special honor for important players.
| No. | Player | Position | Nation | Years Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Mike Connell | Defender |  South Africa |
1975–1984 |
| 12 | Perry Van der Beck | Midfielder | United States |
1978–1982, 1984, 1991–1993 |
*The original Tampa Bay Rowdies retired Steve Wegerle's No. 7 jersey in 1989. The current club does not yet officially recognize this honor.
Team Captains
| Player | Seasons | ref |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Valentin |
2010 | |
| Frank Sanfilippo |
2011–2014 | |
 Marcelo Saragosa |
2015 | |
| Tamika Mkandawire |
2016 | |
| Joe Cole |
2017–2018 | |
 Sebastián Guenzatti |
2019–2022 | |
 Aarón Guillén |
2023–present |
Team Records
Here is a look at the Rowdies' performance over their last five seasons. For all their season-by-season history, check out the main article.
| Season | League | Position | Playoffs | USOC | Continental | Average attendance | Top goalscorer(s) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div | League | Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Conf. | Overall | Name | Goals | ||||||
| 2019 | 2 | USLC | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 61 | 33 | +28 | 58 | 1.71 | 5th | 7th | R1 | R3 | DNQ | 5,497 | Sebastián Guenzatti |
19 | |
| 2020 | USLC | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 11 | +14 | 33 | 2.06 | 4th | 7th | F | NH | N/A | Sebastián Guenzatti |
10 | |||
| 2021 | USLC | 32 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 55 | 23 | +32 | 71 | 2.22 | 1st | 1st | F | NH | 0 | Sebastián Guenzatti |
21 | |||
| 2022 | USLC | 34 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 73 | 33 | +40 | 67 | 1.97 | 3rd | 4th | SF | R3 | 5,148 | Leo Fernandes |
19 | |||
| 2023 | USLC | 34 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 60 | 39 | +21 | 63 | 1.85 | 2nd | 3rd | R1 | R3 | 5,984 | Cal Jennings |
19 | |||
1. Avg. attendance includes statistics from league matches only.
2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in league play, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive matches.
Team Honors
The Rowdies have won several awards and championships:
- League Championship
- Winners: 2012
- Runners-up: 2021
- Finalists: 2020
- Fair Play Award
- Winners: 2011, 2012, 2014
- USL Season Champion
- 2021
- USL Division Champion
- 2020, 2021
- USL Conference Champion
- 2020, 2021
- Ponce De Leon Cup
- Winners: 2010, 2012
- Coastal Cup
- Winners: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021
Individual Achievements
Some players and coaches have won special awards:
- Golden Ball Award (MVP)
- 2013: Georgi Hristov
- Golden Glove Award (Best Goalkeeper)
- 2021: Evan Louro
- Coach of the Year
- 2012: Ricky Hill
- 2021: Neill Collins
- Goalkeeper of the Year
- 2021: Evan Louro
- Defender of the Year
- 2020: Forrest Lasso
- 2021: Forrest Lasso
- NASL Best XI (Top 11 Players)
- 2011: Pascal Millien, Mike Ambersley
- 2012: Jeff Attinella, Takuya Yamada, Luke Mulholland
- 2013: Luke Mulholland, Georgi Hristov
- 2016: Joe Cole
- USL Championship MVP
- 2022: Leo Fernandes
- USL All-League (Top Players in the USL)
- 2017: (1st team) Marcel Schäfer
- 2019: (2nd team) Papé Diakité, Sebastián Guenzatti
- 2020: (1st team) Forrest Lasso
- 2021: (1st team) Evan Louro, Forrest Lasso, Sebastián Guenzatti
- 2021: (2nd team) Aarón Guillén
- 2022: (1st team) Leo Fernandes, Aarón Guillén
- 2023: (1st team) Cal Jennings, Charlie Dennis
See also
In Spanish: Tampa Bay Rowdies (2008) para niños
- Tampa Bay Mutiny
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993)
- Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Tampa Bay Rays
