ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (Mar. 15, 2024) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today that the club has signed local midfielders Nick Skubis and Amari Fowlkes to USL Academy contracts for the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.
Skubis and Fowlkes join recent USL Academy signings, forward Cristian Ortiz and goalkeeper Taner Akin, in signing up with the Rowdies. Under a USL Academy contract, all are eligible to play for the Rowdies in professional matches while still maintaining their college eligibility. With four youngsters signed, the Rowdies now have the most USL Academy kids the club has had on the roster at the same time since the league implemented the program several years ago.
“I’m a big believer that if you give young players opportunities, they’ll surprise you 99 percent of the time and come in and do well,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “The guys that we’ve brought in so far we hope to see on the bench and get some game time eventually. We’re hoping to develop these local players who have shown great work ethic and attitude to the point where they’re competing for starting minutes.”
Skubis has committed to play college soccer for Ohio State University in the fall. The 18-year-old midfielder helped lead Tampa Bay United to a win in the championship final of the 2022 USL Academy League playoffs, earning Golden Ball honors as the best player in the tournament. Last summer, Skubis made the jump to play for Tampa Bay United in USL League Two.
“I’ve been playing locally around here since I was 3,” said Skubis. “To be able to sign with a team I’ve been watching most of my life is really incredible. Playing every day with guys who are bigger and faster than you just makes you better, so I’m really excited about having the chance to develop with the senior guys here.”
Originally from Indiana, Fowlkes now calls Tampa his home. He previously represented Indy Eleven as a member of their USL Academy squad. The 18-year-old midfielder played a part in Indy’s academy team capture victory in the finals of both the USL Academy League playoffs and the USL Academy Cup.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to sign with the Rowdies,” said Fowlkes. “Ultimately this is just the first step in my career to get to the next level. To be here at my age is so great for my development as a player. Being around professionals older than me here in Tampa Bay, I’ve already picked up so much from them.”
The Rowdies will kick off the 2024 USL Championship season this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium as they host San Antonio FC for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting rowdiessoccer.com/tickets/.
