ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced that the club has signed veteran goalkeeper Connor Sparrow ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.
Rowdies supporters will recognize Sparrow as the regular starter in net for in-state rival Miami FC, recording 17 shutouts in 54 league appearances over the last two seasons in South Florida.
“Playing against Connor, you knew he was a fierce competitor,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “He’s always caught my eye with his personality and his keenness to win, which I do like. On top of that, he’s a very good goalkeeper. He’s good with his feet. He makes important saves and I think he’s at a really good age for a goalkeeper. We’re delighted to have him and, like all these players coming to Tampa Bay, his desire to be here is a big part of that as well. We want players that want to be here for all the right reasons. Connor certainly exhibited those attributes.”
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sparrow played one season of college soccer at the University of Missouri-Kansas City before enjoying three seasons with Creighton University. Sparrow also played two seasons in Florida with USL League Two side IMG Academy in Bradenton.
Sparrow entered the professional ranks as one of Real Salt Lake’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft picks in 2016. He then spent three years in Utah, playing for both Real Salt Lake and the MLS club’s USL Championship outfit Real Monarchs. Sparrow ended his time with the organization with 31 USL Championship appearances for the Monarchs and one appearance for Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup. His standout season in Salt Lake City came in 2017 when he made 20 starts to help Real Monarchs claim the USL Championship’s regular season title.
After departing Utah, Sparrow moved to Nashville SC, where he made 9 starts for the club during its final season in the USL Championship. In 2020, he signed with Chicago Fire and made one start for the MLS side before making the move to Miami at the start of 2021.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to be in the discussion at the end of the year in the last week of the season,” said Sparrow. “I think joining the Rowdies is a great opportunity for that. I think I can contribute to the team on the field and off the field in the locker room as well.
“I’m really just excited to get an opportunity to compete, make a playoff run, and push for a championship. I’m a competitor, I’m very intense. I play to win every game, whether it’s an outright game or it’s in training. I show up every day and I try to be at my best and push myself to be my best knowing that come Saturday that’s the default. ”
The schedule for the 2023 USL Championship season is expected to be unveiled in the new year. In the meantime, fans can secure season tickets by visiting rowdiessoccer.com/seasontickets. Fans may also contact the ticket office by emailing tickets@rowdiessoccer.com or calling 727-222-2000 during regular business hours. Holiday Packs, which include two tickets for the Rowdies 2023 home opener are also available for purchase at rowdiessoccer.com/holiday-pack.
Current 2023 Rowdies Roster:
Goalkeepers: Raiko Arozarena, Connor Sparrow
Defenders: Conner Antley, Aaron Guillen, Freddy Kleemann
Midfielders: Jake Areman, Sebastian Dalgaard, Charlie Dennis, Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Dayonn Harris, Zach Herivaux, Lewis Hilton, Nicky Law
