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USL Tampa Bay Rowdies

LaCava Rejoins Rowdies on Loan

June 9, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Jake LaCava
Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Jake LaCava
(Tampa Bay Rowdies)

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - A top contributor from the 2022 Tampa Bay Rowdies season has returned to the fold. On Friday, the Rowdies announced that the club has acquired forward Jake LaCava on loan from Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF for the remainder of the USL Championship season.

LaCava, who turned 22 in the offseason, spent all of last year on loan to the Rowdies from New York Red Bulls. The Connecticut native netted 12 goals and notched five assists to help the Rowdies finish as the highest-scoring club in the USL Championship regular season. LaCava was rewarded for his efforts by being named a finalist for the USL Championship's Young Player of the Year award.

"I'm really happy with a lot of aspects of where we are at but our job is to always think ahead," said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. "Jake was someone that had a big impact last year with goals and with his attitude. Huge thanks to Inter Miami for allowing him to come to us. It's a testament to Jake that he wants to play and be on the field to contribute, but equally that he wants to do it here. He was highly sought after around the league, understandably, but we think we can give him the best environment. I've got to keep making this team better. I think he does make us better and gives us competition. I'm excited to add him to what we've already got up at the top of the field. He's going to be a huge asset."

Last November, LaCava was selected by St Louis City SC in the MLS Expansion before being traded to Inter Miami. Since making the move to South Florida, the young attacker has appeared in two U.S. Open Cup fixtures for Inter Miami and made six appearances, scoring one goal, for Miami's MLS Next Pro side. He joins a Rowdies attacking corps that has hit a groove over the last month, bagging 14 goals during the club's six-match unbeaten run.

"It feels like I'm at home," LaCava said of his return. "I'm looking forward to getting back out there with the guys. I know this is an environment I could not only get minutes in but also succeed in. The culture here is to win and that's something that I'm interested in. That's a big part of me and the type of player that I am. I'm looking forward to working again with Neill and the whole staff. There's more to my game I can improve and being here is just gonna help that."

LaCava will be available to play starting this Saturday when the Rowdies take on New Mexico United at Al Lang Stadium. Kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match can be purchased or at the stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on matchday.

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Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Jake LaCava
Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Jake LaCava
   

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