Rowdies to Face New York Cosmos in 2013 Fall Home Opener
Published on February 11, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
TAMPA, Fla. (February 11, 2013) -- The historic rivalry between the Rowdies and the Cosmos will reemerge just two weeks into the Fall Season on Saturday, August 10, with Tampa Bay hosting New York at Al Lang Stadium. The 2012 NASL Champions will open the Fall Season on the road at Toyota Field against San Antonio on Saturday, August 3.
"It will be great to host the Cosmos at Al Lang just two weeks into the season," commented Rowdies head coach Ricky Hill. "We are excited to bring back such an amazing rivalry and I am sure our fans can't wait either. With that being said, we can't get ahead of ourselves as we have a tough match in Week 1 against San Antonio at their stadium to open up the season.
The rivalry with the Cosmos will continue when the Rowdies visit Hofstra Stadium on Saturday, September 28. The iconic stadium was New York's home back when the original Cosmos won its first NASL championship in 1972.
A week later, the Rowdies will play another historic rival in a home-and-home series against the Strikers, visiting Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, October 5. Ft. Lauderdale will then travel to Al Lang Stadium in the last regular season meeting between both clubs on Saturday, October 12.
With the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Finals still in the memory of many, the defending NASL Champions will travel to NSC Stadium to battle it out against Minnesota in the third week of the Fall Season on Saturday, August 17. The Rowdies will close the Fall Season at Al Lang Stadium against the Stars on Saturday, November 2, just over a year after Tampa Bay captured the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl title in penalty kicks on home field turf.
The 2013 NASL Fall Season will feature eight teams playing each other home and away for a total of 56 games and the team that tops the final standings will travel to face the Spring Season champions in the annual Soccer Bowl on the weekend of November 16/17.
"Our new format requires our teams to compete at the highest levels each week to secure victories," added Commissioner Peterson. "There are no opportunities for teams to back into the Soccer Bowl. The pressure will translate into exciting matches each week of the season for our growing fan base. They're going to love the competition between our teams."
For more information or to order 2013 season tickets, fans can e-mail tickets@rowdiessoccer.com or call 813-287-1539. For season ticket prices and a seating chart of Al Lang Stadium click here. Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date.
NASL 2013 Fall Schedule - Opening Week
Saturday Aug 3
Home Visiting Team
San Antonio Scorpions vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Carolina RailHawks vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
Minnesota Stars vs. Edmonton FC
New York Cosmos vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
North American Soccer League Stories from February 11, 2013
- Cosmos Return to Playing Field on August 3 - New York Cosmos
- Fort Lauderdale Strikers Versus New York Cosmos Headlines Start of NASL Fall Championship - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks Announce Complete 2013 Schedule - North Carolina FC
- North American Soccer League Announces 2013 Fall Schedule - NASL
- FC Edmonton NASL Fall Schedule Released - FC Edmonton
- 2013 Fall Schedule Announced - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Minnesota Stars FC Reveal 2013 Fall Schedule - Minnesota United FC
- Rowdies to Face New York Cosmos in 2013 Fall Home Opener - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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