ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (Mar. 7, 2024) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today that the club has signed local youth standouts Cristian Ortiz and Taner Akin to USL Academy contracts for the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.
Under a USL Academy contract, both Ortiz and Akin are eligible to play in professional matches for the Rowdies while maintaining their college eligibility.
“Cristian and Taner’s attitudes have been outstanding,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “We want to bring in younger players and help develop them. I think the facilities and resources we have here merit that. Getting these two young men signed up is great for the club. These kinds of signings are important for our area. We’ve got a great catchment area for young players and some great youth academies as well. It’s vital that we offer the chance for young players to come into a professional environment to develop and hopefully earn a spot in the first team.”
Originally from White Plains, New York, Ortiz has spent much of his youth growing up in Port Richey, Florida. Ortiz plays club soccer for Florida Premier FC. The young forward, who will turn 17 next month, has so far featured in four of Tampa Bay’s preseason contests this year, scoring as a substitute in the club’s 4-1 win over Major League’s CF Montréal.
“This opportunity means everything to me,” said Ortiz. “I’ve worked really hard every single day for this. I’m very grateful for Coach Robbie and all the staff at the club that have helped me get here. Being in this environment has helped me improve my quality, my timing, my footwork, and every part of my game. The players here are on a different level than what I’ve been used to. It’s been so good.”
Akin is a 17-year-old keeper who recently spent a season with the Under 17s squad of Turkish Süper Lig side, Fatih Karagümrük S.K. While with the Rowdies in preseason camp this year, Akin has had the chance to learn under experienced Rowdies Goalkeepers Coach Stuart Dobson while training side by side with veteran keepers Jordan Farr and Phil Breno.
“I’ve trained for so long to earn this opportunity,” said Akin. “To have it come with a team like the Rowdies, one that plays at such a high level and offers an amazing environment to develop, is more than I could ever ask for. Training alongside keepers like Jordan Farr and Phil Breno, and learning from Coach Dobson in preseason has already helped lift my confidence as a player.”
The Rowdies will kick off their eighth season in the USL Championship and their first under new head coach Robbie Neilson on Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET when they host San Antonio FC at Al Lang Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets for the match by visiting rowdiessoccer.com/tickets/.
