Rowdies Head to Baltimore for Season Opener Tonight
Published on April 16, 2010 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The night we've all been waiting for is upon us. The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies will make their regular season debut tonight at 7 p.m. against Crystal Palace Baltimore at UMBC Stadium, the first of three road games the Rowdies will play to open their season.
"We've been waiting a really long time for this," said Rowdies Head Coach Paul Dalglish. It's a long process from when Perry (Van Der Beck) and Andrew (Nestor) first started trying to make this organization a reality, and we're finally here. Today is the day everybody in this organization has been waiting for."
As they prepare to take the field for their first competitive game, the Rowdies are also looking at the next couple of weeks as a great test prior to their home opener on May 8th against the Austin Aztex at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
"It's going to be tough for us, playing these first three games on the road, but we've got a squad that's more than capable of getting three victories. It's important to start well, but with us being a first-year organization, it would give us confidence for the rest of the season," said Dalglish. "People always say don't expect too much from expansion teams in year one, but we want to be the exception to that rule."
Not all expansion teams have struggled in their inaugural season though. For inspiration, the Rowdies can look at last year's MLS newcomers, the Seattle Sounders, who won their opening night game en route to a spectacular season that saw them reach the conference semifinals. The Sounders are also only the second-ever MLS expansion team to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament in their first year.
With that said, Dalglish recognizes the importance of the Rowdies' first game and how the players will react to the season opener. "You have to be nervous; nerves aren't a bad thing, it shows you care. I think it's probably a mix of nerves and excitement. Anybody that says they don't feel a little bit nervous or a little bit excited shouldn't be stepping out for us on gameday. And that's for any game, not just the first one."
Looking ahead to the game itself, Dalglish still has a few question marks in his opening day starting lineup. "There are a couple of decisions I've still got to make, but the majority of the lineup is selected. I'm very confident in what we've got."
The Rowdies play six of their first seven matches on the road before returning for a tw0-match homestand against Minnesota (May 27) and Puerto Rico (May 29).
Crystal Palace Baltimore comes into the 2010 season after notching three wins in the preseason. Following its season opener against the Rowdies and a home match on April 24 versus Puerto Rico, Baltimore embarks on a five away-game road trip beginning May 1 at St. Louis.
You can watch the Rowdies match against Crystal Palace Baltimore tonight at 7 p.m. live online for free at www.fctampabay.com .
Rowdies Sign MLS Defender Rob Valentino
We are pleased to announce the signing of American defender Rob Valentino, who most recently played for MLS's Colorado Rapids. Rob currently plays for the U.S. U-23 National Team, where he has made three appearances since 2008.
"This is another exciting signing for our club. Rob is a dominant center back with international experience who has the mentality we are looking for in our organization," said Paul Dalglish, head coach of FC Tampa Bay. "He will be an amazing addition to our already strong back line and we are eager to see what he will bring to our system."
Rob, a member of the Generation adidas Class, began his soccer career at University of San Francisco (USF) playing in 57 games, scoring five goals and eight assists. While attending USF, Rob received numerous honors including the 2006 West Coast Conference (WCC) Player of the Year and 2005 WCC Defender of the Year.
In 2008, Rob was drafted by the New England Revolution in the MLS SuperDraft where he played in four games, including three starts, in CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup. Rob was then acquired by the Colorado Rapids in a trade from the New England Revolution in 2009.
The first regular season game for us is tonight against Crystal Palace Baltimore at the UMBC Stadium in Baltimore and broadcasted live at FCTampaBay.com. The first home game is May 8 at 7:30 p.m. against the Austin Aztex at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Viewing Party Tonight at 7 PM!
Mike and his crew at Wings Gone Wild at Bay to Bay Blvd. have set everything up to put the game up on the big screen for us to root on the guys tonight!
The game will be streamed live from Baltimore and starts at 7 pm. We will also have our brand new scarves and home jerseys available for sale at the party as well!
So come out to Wings Gone Wild at 6:30 pm tonight and join us in cheering on the guys in their season opener! Wings Gone Wild is located at 3114 Bay to Bay Blvd in Tampa, between S. MacDill and S. Dale Mabry.
North American Soccer League Stories from April 16, 2010
- NSC Minnesota Stars Top Carolina 1-0 For First Win In Team History - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Fall 1-0 to Stars - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC Inks Local Standout - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NSC Minnesota Stars Road Trip Continues With Match Against Carolina RailHawks - Minnesota United FC
- Rowdies Head to Baltimore for Season Opener Tonight - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Impact Faces Antigua Barracuda FC Saturday - Montreal Impact
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
