Miami-Tampa soccer rivalry reignited
Published on June 20, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, June 20, 2008 - This is the story of a great comeback. One that has repercussions for soccer in the US in general, but more specifically for the USL First Division and Miami FC. The Tampa Bay Rowdies' new ownership group announced the return of the storied team to the USL First Division as of the start of the 2010 USL-1 season. Their return to professional soccer will be sure to ignite old rivalries and surely start new ones within the State of Florida.
"This is very exciting news. Miami FC is pleased to have a state rival in Tampa and welcomes this new franchise with open arms. Without a doubt, this is a great addition to the USL First Division and for soccer as a whole in North America," said Aaron Davidson, Miami FC's president.
"We will compete and take a serious approach to building a team that the community can be a part of and feel proud of," said Rowdies President and CEO Andrew Nestor to a crowd of supporters and former Rowdies from as far back as the 1975 team. "We believe the Tampa Bay area has matured into a viable and enthusiastic market for professional sports. Our goal will be to honor the success and tradition of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, while creating a fun, exciting soccer atmosphere for a new generation of families, players and fans, both on the field and through our community and youth development initiatives." Nestor spoke on behalf of the ownership group, which includes two other partners, local restaurateur David Laxer and Boston resident Hinds Howard.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies will field its first team in 2010. Plans for 2009 include hosting exhibition matches, hiring staff, signing players and starting the Tampa Bay Rowdies Youth Academy. USL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Holt says the team will bring good things to the community, fans and youth who have grown up as the game has matured.
"Soccer is a family-friendly sport and the plans of this group are impressive. We think the time is right and the ownership is committed to bringing a quality product to the USL family," said Holt. "We have long wanted to have a USL-1 franchise in our home town and have been very particular with any potential ownership scenarios over the years before the current group came to the forefront just over a year ago. Their stature and plans for building a full soccer club and a privately financed stadium will take Tampa soccer to new heights in North American soccer.
The club has named Perry Van Der Beck as its technical director and director of community development. Van Der Beck is a well-known former Rowdie with strong local youth soccer ties. He was the first Rowdie ever drafted out of high school and was captain of the 1980 US Olympic team. Van Der Beck later coached the Tampa Bay Mutiny and has coached numerous youth teams as a Tampa resident.
"The ownership group is serious about the game and have a wonderful respect for the traditions that were established here in the 70's. I am proud and happy to be a part of it all, especially with so much local support and expertise," said Van Der Beck.
The Rowdies will play in a stadium to be built in northwest Hillsborough County, with easy access from Pinellas and Pasco counties. Plans and renderings will be shared before the end of summer, according to Nestor. The familiar logo, which featured Ralph Rowdie, is currently being fine-tuned, although the team will retain the colors green and yellow. A Web site is also under construction, but fans can still log on to register for updates at www.tbrowdies.com.
The history of the Tampa Bay Rowdies
After the North American Soccer League (NASL) disbanded in the mid-1980s, the Tampa Bay Rowdies were among the teams that helped give birth to what is now the USL First Division. The Rowdies were founding members of the eastern-based American Soccer League, formed in 1988. The league later merged with the Western Soccer League (born in 1986) to form the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). The APSL donned the abbreviated "A-League" name and in 1997 merged into what is now United Soccer Leagues, the system of soccer leagues founded and headed by USL founder Francisco Marcos, a public relations executive with the original NASL Rowdies and several other NASL clubs. The A-League was renamed to USL First Division in 2005. The Rowdies last played in what is now the USL from 1988-93 and made four playoff appearances in six seasons. The Rowdies won the division title in 1989 and reached the APSL Championship Game in 1992.
About Miami FC
USL First Division Stories from June 20, 2008
- Another shutout and another point for Miami - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Thunder draws with Battery - Minnesota Thunder
- Battery ties Thunder - Charleston Battery
- RailHawks Hold off Rhinos with 3-3- tie in stoppage time - North Carolina FC
- Weekly Update - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Miami-Tampa soccer rivalry reignited - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Sign Mason Trafford - Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL Announces New Franchise for 2010 - North Carolina FC
- Tiger Fitzpatrick Signs Deal with Diadora - Rochester Rhinos
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