Keith Savage Named Head Coach of Rowdies USL Academy
June 16, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST PETERSBURG, Fla - A familiar face will lead the Tampa Bay Rowdies' USL Academy team when it kicks off this summer.
Longtime Rowdies midfielder and club legend Keith Savage has been named Head Coach of the Rowdies' USL Academy side. Savage joined the Rowdies in 2011 and played seven memorable seasons in Tampa Bay, including the 2012 championship season. Four years after leaving the Rowdies, Savage still ranks second all-time in appearances for the club with 133 matches played.
"The Rowdies are the club that I love most, and I'm so thankful to the organization and the fans," said Savage. "They have been so supportive both when I was as a player and in my career since. Our family bleeds green and gold, and you will often hear Ralph's Mob chants in our home. I'm so excited to step into this new role to help develop future professionals on the field and beyond and to show them what it means to be a Tampa Bay Rowdie!"
Since retiring, Savage has settled in Tampa Bay and become entrenched in the local soccer community with his Savage Soccer youth program. Savage is also the Athletic Director at Skycrest Christian School, where he and his wife are both physical educators and coaches.
"Over the last couple of years, it has been extremely important for myself and Neill to reconnect with the former Rowdies players," said Rowdies President Lee Cohen. "We brought in Chad Burt to be an assistant coach and we have explored many opportunities to reconnect with Savage from his Savage Soccer School, Yellow and Green Dream Camp, and now USL Academy. The USL Academy is about developing future athletes in the Tampa Bay community and Keith embodies everything we are as an organization on and off the field and we couldn't be more pleased to reunite with Keith on this project."
For their first year, the Rowdies' USL Academy team will play six exhibition matches in July and August, with the first set to be played at Miami FC on July 17. All home games will be played at Al Lang Stadium and will be available to stream online.
Under a free-to-play model, players from local clubs throughout the area will be invited to join the Rowdies USL Academy camp to train and compete. The roster will primarily be made up of players 18-19 years old, but younger players will also be included.
Players will train under Savage, who will be assisted by the coaching staff of the Rowdies' senior side, as well as current Rowdies players who are seeking to further their coaching education. With the launch of their USL Academy program, the Rowdies aim to continue improving the bridge between Tampa Bay's youth soccer community and the professional level.
"We want to provide a free to play opportunity for the best talent in the Tampa Bay area with that path to professional football," said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. "Keith syncs in perfectly with that because Keith has been a fantastic professional for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and on top of that he's got experience in coaching. Who better to relate to the local players in the area than someone that's lived that dream themself and knows exactly what it means to play for this club. He holds all the principles as a person and in football that we're looking to offer these young players. Keith is the perfect candidate to not only help the kids but also set the example of what it means to be a Tampa Bay Rowdie."
The Tampa Bay Rowdies USL Academy program is presented by Bayfront Health St.Petersburg.
2021 Rowdies USL Academy Schedule (Subject to Change/Kickoff Times TBD)
July 17 at Miami FC
July 25 vs Weston FC
July 30 at TBD
Aug 14 vs Miami FC
Aug 20 at TBD
Aug 22 vs IMG / Sarasota Metropolis
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