The Tampa Bay Rowdies make their debut in the Florida Cup ahead of their debut in the USL for the 2017 season, and have an experienced returning group at their disposal for the event that includes former England midfielder Joe Cole and goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Supplementing that group, however, are a large contingent of players who will be looking to impress Coach Stuart Campbell as Tampa Bay looks to add to its roster ahead of the 2017 season’s kickoff.

NEED TO KNOW

Head Coach: Stuart Campbell
League: USL
Schedule: Jan.  8 – vs. VfL Wolfsburg, Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jan. 14 – vs. Atletico Mineiro, Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.

CLUB HISTORY

One of the legendary names in American soccer, the Rowdies were the first professional sports franchise in Tampa Bay when the club was first established in 1975. The club claimed its first championship that season, and created an enduring legacy in the bay area thanks to legendary players such as Rodney Marsh, Mike Connell, Perry Van Der Beck, Farrukh Quraishi and Steve Wegerle.

The club was re-established in 2009, and in 2012 claimed a second league championship. The following year the team was purchased by major local businessman Bill Edwards, who has overseen the redevelopment of Al Lang Stadium and helped the club increase its outreach in the local community. The Rowdies join the USL in 2017 with the goal of quickly becoming one of the major powers in the league.