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USL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies Add Defender Timmy Mehl

January 7, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


ST PETERSBURG, FL - On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced the club's first new addition to the roster ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. The club has added the talents of center back Timmy Mehl, making him the tenth player confirmed to the roster so far.

Mehl, 26, joins the Rowdies after spending the past two seasons with Loudoun United. Mehl made ten appearances in his first season with Loudoun, but in 2021 took on more responsibility as he started in 29 matches and wore the captain's armband. He bolsters a Tampa Bay defense that led the league with 16 clean sheets last year.

"The defense was one area where we were blessed last year with the center backs who played regularly staying fit and stayed in form, by and large," said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. "Conner Antley also stepped in and did really well on occasion, but he played mostly at right wingback. So with Timmy we were looking for someone who could come in and compete with those center backs. Timmy showed himself really, really well this past season. He's got good attributes. He wins the ball, he wins headers, he wins tackles, he makes great recoveries. He's also very good in possession."

A native of southern California, Mehl played four years of college soccer at Indiana University, appearing in 72 matches for the Hoosiers and earning selection to the All-Big Ten Team in two seasons. After graduating, Mehl made his professional debut with North Carolina FC in a US Open Cup match in 2019 before being loaned out to USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves later in the year.

As a former center back himself, Collins was impressed by what he has seen from Mehl.

"Timmy is someone that in difficult circumstances at Loudoun, obviously a much younger team, I thought he really held them together well and showed some really good defensive instincts," noted Collins. "I think he'll come in and give us really good competition in that area of the field and also give those guys a rest if we need to. As we look to improve every year, these guys need competition. Timmy will come in and compete and, as always, the best people will play."

Confirmed 2022 Rowdies Roster so far:

Goalkeepers: Raiko Arozarena.

Defenders: Jordan Scarlett, Timmy Mehl.

Midfielders: Conner Antley, Yann Ekra, Sebastian Dalgaard, Dayonn Harris.

Forwards: Steevan Dos Santos, Lucky Mkosana, Jordan Adebayo-Smith.

Stay tuned to the Rowdies social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram for more new additions to the roster as well as more announcements regarding returning players.

The USL Championship recently announced that the Rowdies home opener is set for Saturday, March 19 versus Indy Eleven. Tampa Bay will kick off the season the prior week at Birmingham Legion FC. The full 34-match regular season schedule will be revealed on Wednesday, January 12. Season tickets for 2022 start as low as $170 for the slate of 17 home matches set to be played at Al Lang. Fans can lock in their season tickets today to ensure they don't miss a moment of action by calling 727-222-2000 or by visiting rowdiessoccer.com/tickets.

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