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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 21, 2017) — If there’s a timeframe for how quickly the Tampa Bay Rowdies should be progressing toward regular season readiness, Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell says his team is right on schedule.

Following January’s Florida Cup, which featured mostly trialists, the Rowdies took a few weeks off before beginning preseason training in earnest early in February. Since then, the Rowdies have played two matches, a closed-door training scrimmage against Orlando City SC on February 11 and Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

With two matches against Major League Soccer clubs under the Rowdies’ belt, Campbell feels the team is progressing nicely.

“I’ve been really happy with how things have gone so far,” he said. “We have the one game behind closed door where the team played really well and then we put in a decent performance against Philadelphia. It’s preseason, so you can’t get too carried away, but I thought the level of the performance for the first 60 minutes was pretty good.”

According to Campbell, preseason matches offer a unique challenge to the regular season with players not quite as well-rested going into matches as they will be once the regular season kicks off March 25.

“In the regular season, you obviously want the players going into games as fresh as possible, so training during the week kind of tapers toward the match,” he said. “In preseason, it’s the opposite. Training days are so valuable right now that we’re working the players really hard and they go into matches a little more fatigued than they normally would.”

Against the Union, Campbell deployed the same 4-2-3-1 formation that carried the Rowdies through most of last season, but with added speed on the wings from newcomers Darwin Jones and Leo Fernandes, plus Alex Morrell off the bench in the second half.

With that influx of speed on the perimeter, the Rowdies looked like sharper and more fluid in the attack, despite not scoring.

“I saw the way I want the Rowdies to play in those two games we’ve played so far,” Campbell said. “We’ve got some real speed and real quality outside and when you pair that with Joe Cole as your playmaker and it’s going to be really exciting to watch.”

One thing Rowdies fans didn’t get to see against Philadelphia was how Bulgarian forward Georgi Hristov, who has led the team in scoring in three of the last four seasons, will fit into the attack. He’s been held out of preseason action so far, but could be in line to make his 2017 debut this coming Saturday against the Montreal Impact.

Saturday’s Rowdies Suncoast Invitational slate boasts an exciting tripleheader at Al Lang Stadium. Toronto FC will take on the Chicago Fire at 3 p.m., D.C. United will play the Philadelphia Union at 5 and the night will be capped by the Rowdies’ game against Montreal at 7:30 p.m.

With the Major League Soccer set to begin just a week after these matches, the teams are expected to field strong lineups. Tickets are available by calling (727) 222-200 or by clicking here.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 18, 2017) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies opened the 2017 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational with a tight game against Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, but ultimately came up just short, losing 1-0 on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.

Both teams fielded strong sides to start the match, but the second half became a little choppy with mass substitutions as the clock ticked.

Union midfielder Derrick Jones scored the lone goal in the match, taking advantage of a 1-on-1 situation against a trialist goalkeeper for Tampa Bay with an easy finish.

Philadelphia opens its regular season on March 5, about three weeks before Tampa Bay lifts the curtain on its USL regular season on March 25, giving Philadelphia a major advantage in the match.

“I thought it was a pretty even game, which is a great testament to our players playing against an MLS team,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “I was pretty happy with the first half and the second half was pretty even as well. We limited their chances and then just gave away a crazy goal.”

Tampa Bay’s starting lineup featured 10 signed players with one trialist. 2016 stalwarts Matt Pickens, Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire, Neill Collins, Martin Vingaard, Michael Nanchoff and Joe Cole all featured in the first half, along with newcomers Luke Boden, Leo Fernandes and Darwin Jones. Forward Martin Paterson was the only unsigned player in the first half.

After an early save from Pickens, Tampa Bay settled into the match and creating its fair share of scoring opportunities.

In the 17th minute, Mkandawire sent in a cross from the left side that found the forehead of Collins, but the Scottish center back couldn’t quite rise high up to head it on target.

Three minutes later, Jones played a diagonal ball into space for Jones to race on to. After beating a defender and dribbling toward the box, Jones fired a low cross from near the byline that just missed Fernandes for a tap-in.

In the 22nd minute, Fernandes took a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that was saved at Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake’s right-hand post.

The match would reach halftime without a goal before both teams started making plenty of substitutions.

“I liked quite a lot (about our performance),” Campbell said. “It was our first real preseason game and it was against a team that’s a couple of weeks ahead of and has played a few games already, as well. The more games we get, the more our players can develop relationships. I think you can see we’re going to be a real threat going forward with the speed we have out wide.”

Philadelphia’s decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when a poor defensive mistake sent the Union’s Derrick Jones in on goal with only Fitzgerald to beat. He calmly rounded the goalkeeper, who lost his footing in the process, to tap the ball into the net.

As the clock wound down, Tampa Bay’s Alex Morrell had a chance to tie the match, lobbing a ball that looked like it would duck just under the crossbar, but Blake intervened and palmed it to safety to seal the Union’s win.

The Rowdies will be back at it next Saturday, February 25 at Al Lang Stadium when they take on the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. That match will be preceded by Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire at 3 and Philadelphia vs D.C. United at 5. Tickets start at just $15 and are available by calling (727) 222-2000 or by clicking here.

Scoring Summary
Union: Derrick Jones 73rd minute

Caution Summary
Rowdies: Tamika Mkandawire – 55th minute
Union: Ken Tribbett – 61st minute
Union: Derrick Jones -71st minute
Rowdies: Neill Collins – 84th minute (red card)

Starting Lineups
Rowdies XI (4-2-3-1): GK Matt Pickens; D Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire, Neill Collins, Luke Boden; M Martin Vingaard, Michael Nanchoff; M Darwin Jones, Joe Cole, Leo Fernandes; F Martin Paterson*

Philadelphia Union XI (4-2-3-1): GK Andre Blake; D Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Jack Elliott, Raymond Gaddis; M Haris Medunjanin, Derrick Jones; M Marcus Epps, Alejandro Bedoya, Fabian Herbers; F C.J. Sapong

The Basics
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Philadelphia Union
Saturday, February 18, 2017, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Follow us for live updates on Twitter @RowdiesGameday
The match will be preceded by Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United at 5 p.m.

Rowdies Suncoast Invitational
February 18 marks day one of the second annual Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, bringing some of Major League Soccer’s best teams to Pinellas County for a unique preseason competition. This year, the Rowdies will compete along with six MLS clubs—the Montreal Impact, Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union, D.C. United and Chicago Fire. Four of the five MLS clubs participating in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational reached the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs including the Eastern Conference champions, Toronto FC, and runners-up, the Montreal Impact.

Matches continue Wednesday when Philadelphia takes on Montreal at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex at 7 p.m. Al Lang Stadium will host a tripleheader on Saturday, February 25, the final day of the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

Tickets
Tickets are good for both matches and range from $15-$20 in the main stadium bowl to $30 in the premium Midfielder’s Club and Midfielder’s Reserved seats. Tickets are available here.

How to Watch
All matches in the Suncoast Invitational at Al Lang Stadium will be broadcast live in HD on the Rowdies’ YouTube channel here.

Parking
Due to the presence of the Saturday Morning Market, parking in Lot A at Al Lang Stadium may be restricted until the early afternoon. Fans are advised to allow plenty of time to park. Alternative parking options nearby include the Mahaffey Garage (1st St. SE), McNulty Garage (2nd St. SE) and SouthCore Garage (1st Ave. S.) 

Rowdies Notes
The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ roster includes 17 players signed for the 2017 United Soccer League season, plus several trialists in preseason camp with Tampa Bay. After taking a break following January’s Florida Cup, the Rowdies resumed preseason training in early February and played Orlando City SC in a closed-door scrimmage last weekend.

Following the match against the Union, the Rowdies will have just four preseason games left before opening the regular season against Orlando City B on March 25. The Rowdies’ remaining preseason schedule includes Montreal (MLS) at home and then road matches against the University of Tampa, Jacksonville Armada FC (NASL) and Miami FC (NASL).

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 16, 2017) – St. Petersburg City Council approved today ordinance language in the first step towards scheduling a May 2 referendum, which would allow residents of St. Petersburg to vote on giving City Council the authority to negotiate a long-term use agreement for Al Lang Stadium.

The use agreement, which can’t exceed 25 years, would allow Al Lang Stadium’s primary purpose to be the home field for a potential Major League Soccer team.

City Council also announced today, that they have set the public hearing date for Thursday, March 2, where St. Petersburg residents and business owners are invited to weigh in on the ordinance before Council votes on scheduling the May 2 special election.

Rowdies owner Bill Edwards will cover the entire cost of the May 2 election.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies appreciate St. Petersburg City Council for scheduling the Public Hearing and allowing the club to continue its aspirations of bringing another major league sports team to the city.

About #MLS2StPete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the 12 candidates in the running for an MLS franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.

The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727)222-2000 or click here.

SANFORD, Fla. (February 11, 2017) — Three Tampa Bay Rowdies played for the club for the first time Saturday morning in a training scrimmage against Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC at the OCSC training ground.

For forward Darwin Jones, midfielder Leo Fernandes and defender Damion Lowe, it was a first opportunity to play alongside their new teammates in a competitive situation. Here’s how each assessed the morning…

Darwin Jones:
On the game: “It was fun to go out there with my new teammates and push each other and work hard. You can’t expect too much for our first game, but I was satisfied.”

On finding chemistry with teammates: “I feel like it was good. This was our first time together. Once we start clicking, I feel like we’re going to be a really good, dominant, team. We’ve got a lot of structure in the way we play. I’m excited.”

On playing a team deeper into their postseason preparation: “I was really impressed with everyone. We kept pushing at every point and we took the game to them. It didn’t matter if they were the MLS team and we’re from the USL. It didn’t matter today.”

Leo Fernandes:
On the game: “I thought it was great. I think we played really well in the first half and I think we showed how good of a team we are already. We saw a lot of bright spots.”

On finding chemistry with new teammates: “I think there was some great chemistry already. The interplay between myself and Joe (Cole) or Darwin (Jones) were really strong. We’ve only been together for about a week and a half and I feel at home already. It’s been really good.”

Damion Lowe:
On the game: “It was a solid game from us, a good runout for everyone. I think everyone’s conditioning is improving. We prepared all week and we knew it was going to be a competitive match with all the experienced players we have on our side. It was a solid performance and I’m happy with how it went.”

On playing against MLS opposition: “Quality is quality once you’re on the field. It doesn’t always matter what league you’re in. It’s just about getting the job done. As long as we keep our shape and win our individual battles, that’s all you have to do. We more than held our own today and this is just the beginning for us as a team.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 10, 2017) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed goalkeeper Nico Campbell, the club announced Friday, pending league and federation approval. Per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Campbell, 22, played his collegiate career at Valparaiso University in Indiana from 2013 until this past Fall. This is Campbell’s first professional contract. He completed a trial with the Rowdies in January and played 45 minutes in each of the Rowdies’ Florida Cup matches against VfL Wolfsburg and Atletico Mineiro.

“I think the first thing you notice about Nico is his size,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “At 6-foot-4, he’s got the height and wingspan you look for in a goalie, but he’s also very smooth in his movement, which is a great combination. We liked what we saw from Nico during the Florida Cup and we’re excited to have signed him.”

Despite his age and lack of professional experience, Campbell brings a strong resume to Tampa Bay.

While playing for the Des Moines Menace in the USL PDL, Campbell was one of three finalists for PDL Goalkeeper of the Year. Under his leadership with a 0.44 goals-against-average per 90 minutes, the Menace conceded the fewest regular season goals in the league.

As a junior at Valpo, Campbell was named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-team All-Conference player. He was named to the Horizon League second team as a senior in 2016.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell played at the youth international level for the Reggae Boyz, starting two matches for Jamaica in the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico. 

About #MLS2StPete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.

The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 8, 2017) — Single-game tickets for the exciting 2017 Tampa Bay Rowdies season are now on sale, the club announced Wednesday. The Rowdies home opener is set for Saturday, March 25 against Orlando City B.

Tickets are available by clicking here or by calling the front office at (727) 222-2000.  

Message from Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards:

We’ve recently focused on our push to join Major League Soccer, but it’s time to shift gears and prepare for the upcoming 2017 United Soccer League season. Unlike previous seasons, this year you will see a great variety of opponents come to Al Lang Stadium with 15 teams in the Eastern Conference alone. It’s important that you’re in the stands to show them why Al Lang Stadium is our house!

We’ve built a tremendous team that has a mixture of returning veterans like Joe Cole, Georgi Hristov and Matt Pickens, and new additions like Damion Lowe, Leo Fernandes, Luke Boden, Darwin Jones and Alex Morrell. Under the leadership of Head Coach Stuart Campbell, we’ve established a strong squad that I believe is the best we’ve ever had.

With your passion in the stands and the talent on the field, I know this will be our year. This is the year we add another championship to our history and bring the USL cup to Tampa Bay.

With Major League Soccer watching us, it’s time to show them how great Tampa Bay’s appetite for soccer is. Let’s fill Al Lang Stadium and together bring a MLS team to Tampa Bay.

Bring your family, your friends and even your coworkers. I want to know that all of Tampa Bay is ready to bring #MLS2StPete and buying single-game tickets is another way to show me that!

See everyone at the March 25 home opener against Orlando City B!

COYR

Tampa Bay’s 16-game home schedule includes 14 exciting Saturday night home matches from the end of March through October. Tickets to all home matches are available by clicking here or by calling the front office at (727) 222-2000.

Single-game ticket prices range from $23.50 to $80, which is in the exclusive Midfielder’s Club section located just feet from the team benches. Students and military members are able to purchase tickets for just $11. Groups of 10 or more receive special pricing and benefits and are encouraged to call the office at (727) 222-2000 to learn more.

Key dates on the Rowdies’ 2017 schedule include Saturday, March 25, when Tampa Bay opens the curtain on its debut USL season against Orlando City B under the lights at Al Lang.

Tampa Bay will renew its series with the Ottawa Fury FC at home twice in 2017, with the Canadian side visiting Al Lang Stadium on both Saturday, April 8 and Saturday, August 19.

The Rowdies will host defending Eastern Conference runners-up Louisville City FC on Saturday, May 13. The reigning USL Champions, New York Red Bulls II, visit Tampa Bay on Wednesday, October 4 in the Rowdies’ home finale.

About #MLS2StPete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.

The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 7, 2017) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have added six more preseason matches to their schedule as preparations for the 2017 United Soccer League season continue to ramp up.

The Rowdies have already played two matches — against Germany’s VfL Wolfsburg and Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro — in January’s Florida Cup, but still have six matches left on the preseason docket before opening the curtain on the USL regular season on March 25.

Tampa Bay will head east this Saturday, February 11, for a closed-door training scrimmage against Orlando City SC one week before kicking off the 2017 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

The Rowdies play the Philadelphia Union in the second game of a doubleheader at Al Lang Stadium on February 18. They will later host the Montreal Impact on February 25 in the last game of a tripleheader on the final day of the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

Get tickets to those matches today by clicking here.

With five Major League Soccer teams in town, the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational is a great way to show Major League Soccer that Tampa Bay is ready to be the next expansion team to join the league. Help us bring #MLS2StPete!

The Rowdies will then play their annual match against the University of Tampa Spartans in celebration of “Fitz Fest” on Saturday, March 4. The match will be played at Pepin Stadium on the campus of UT. Tickets to that match will be available at a later date.

On March 11, Tampa Bay will travel to Jacksonville’s Patton Park to play a preseason match against the Jacksonville Armada FC. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. and is open to the public with free admission.

The Rowdies will wrap up their preseason schedule on March 18 with a match against Miami FC at St. Thomas University in Miami. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and is open to the public with free admission.

Once these six matches conclude, the Rowdies will head straight into the regular season starting with the Saturday, March 25 home opener against Orlando City B at Al Lang Stadium. The best way to see all the action in 2017 is by becoming a Season Ticket Member. For more information about the benefits of season tickets, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

*match schedule subject to change