Rowdies Part Ways with Defender Aaron Guillen
Published on December 8, 2025 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today the club has mutually parted ways with longtime captain and defender Aaron Guillen.
Guillen leaves a legacy in Tampa Bay defined by consistency and success over the past six seasons. He departs having made 196 appearances across all competitions for the club, tied with Leo Fernandes for the most appearances in the Rowdies Modern Era.
No player in the Rowdies Modern Era has played more minutes for the club than Guillen, who surpassed 17,200 minutes played for the Green and Gold in his final appearance of the 2025 season.
"Rowdies fans, I just wanted to thank you all for these past six years," said Guillen. "Thank you for welcoming me and my family into your community. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. I also want to thank the whole Rowdies organization, and especially all of my teammates over the years. It was an honor getting to wear the Green and Gold with you."
Guillen came to Tampa Bay ahead of the 2020 campaign, a season that saw the Rowdies claim their first-ever USL Championship trophy as Eastern Conference champions. With Guillen entrenched on the back line, the Rowdies would repeat as conference champions the next year while also securing their first USL Championship Players' Shield as the best team across the regular season with a club-record 71 points earned. Guillen's steady presence on defense was key to the Rowdies success that season, with the club posting a league-best 16 clean sheets and a record-setting 891-minute streak without conceding a goal.
For his outstanding contributions during the Rowdies historic 2021 season, Guillen was named to the USL Championship All-League Second Team. He followed that up in 2022 with a spot on the All-League First Team while also helping lead the Rowdies to a third straight appearance in the Eastern Conference Championship Final.
"Aaron embodies everything it means to wear the Rowdies badge" said Rowdies President Ryan Helfrick. "His achievement as the Modern-Era leader in minutes played speaks volumes about his character, consistency, and commitment. He played an integral role in our three-year Eastern Conference Final run, and he will forever be remembered as one of the most distinguished defenders to ever wear the Green and Gold. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Aaron, and we wish him, his wife Amanda, and their family the very best as they begin their next chapter."
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 8, 2025
- Capital Stack Completed for Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza Project - Pro Iowa
- Nicola Ciotta Returns to Orange County SC for the 2026 Season - Orange County SC
- Lexington Sporting Club Announces Updates to USL Championship Technical Staff - Lexington Sporting Club
- Vote Now: Help RoRo's Stunner Reach the USL Goal of the Year Final Four - Sacramento Republic FC
- New Mexico United's Zico Bailey Nominated for 2025 USL Championship Goal of the Year - New Mexico United
- MBFC Signs Canadian Defender Kelsey Egwu - Monterey Bay FC
- Rowdies Part Ways with Defender Aaron Guillen - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Shane Wiedt Announces Retirement After Seven Seasons - Detroit City FC
- Switchbacks FC Sign Goalkeeper Colin Shutler - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- The Giving Machine Arrives in Albuquerque: Cottonwood Mall and New Mexico United Team up to Benefit Local Charities this Holiday Season - New Mexico United
- Phoenix Rising Signs Defender Luke Biasi to Multi-Year Contract - Phoenix Rising FC
- Lexington Sporting Club Signs 2x USL Championship All-League First Team Defender Arturo Ordóñez - Lexington Sporting Club
- Brooklyn FC Names Marlon LeBlanc Inaugural Men's Team Head Coach - Brooklyn FC
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.
