Uh oh...looking at my original Mutiny jersey (from the 1996 season) I DO see some green and gold in it! But seriously, I hope that they keep the Rowdies name and do something like what you're talking about. A proposal for a re-built stadium and a new partner to help with an MLS push because, as Kenn has pointed out, I don't think Mr. Edwards has MLS money.
It's MLS and stadium push! http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay...h-campaign-to-bring-major-league.html?ana=twt
We already have one of the best soccer stadium location's in the world. A downtown stadium, next to a marina. Rowdies to pursue move to MLS, seek fan support http://web.tampabay.com/sports/rowdies-to-pursue-move-to-mls-seek-fan-support/2305367#comments #MLS 2 STPETE http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/mls2stpete Tampa Bay Rowdies launch campaign to get into Major League Soccer http://www.baynews9.com/content/new...2016/12/6/tampa_bay_rowdies_mls_campaign.html Tampa Bay Rowdies announce quest to join Major League Soccer, plan for stadium renovations http://wfla.com/2016/12/06/tampa-ba...r-league-soccer-plan-for-stadium-renovations/
BREAKING: Rowdies modern-era scoring leader Georgi Hristov is staying in Tampa Bay! READ MORE: https://t.co/vqQEsNGNtk pic.twitter.com/q7rflnSDXA— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 8, 2016
BREAKING: Joe Cole, Martin Vingaard & @neillycollins3 all set to return for 2017 @USL season!READ MORE: https://t.co/ZdvlqwXfij pic.twitter.com/V6cYwFwnH5— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 12, 2016
That's a great core of players so far coming back to keep continuity. I really liked Neil when he was healthy in the back and Vingaard was steady though I thought was lost sometimes in the middle. Still a good choice to keep. `With so many teams folding in NASL and typical player pre-season movement there is a bonanza of players available. The Rowdies offer a lot to a player (weather, stadium, owner, MLS hopes etc) so I hope they can attract the cream of what is available. I admit, I'm not really knowledgeable about USL players that may be available but from what I've seen there was definite quality there.
Yeah it was funny how people thought Joe Cole was leaving because we were "moving down" to USL. As if he cares, lol. And now it's clear that we were moving up in reality. Not a huge fan of Vingaard but he did flash something at times. Maybe a second season does him good. Neill was solid. To me, good finishers are still the biggest priority. Georgi is great when he's on but he still missed chances even in top form. We create a lot, it just ends up going nowhere most of the time.
I'm not sure why this is "breaking" news. I believe all of these players were signed through 2017 anyway, certainly Cole was. These players signed contracts with the Rowdies, not the NASL, so the league they play in is irrelevant. Unless the USL has the MLS system where the players sign with the league and play for the teams - which is why the media correctly reported that Frank Lampard had left MLS after this past season - not NYCFC where he had been playing. As for signing other players from former NASL teams, a good finisher like the Cosmos' Arango would be nice but I think he winds up with one of the local sides there. As for players currently in the USL, having seen the final on ESPNU...no thanks. There might be a few out there, but that match was generally unwatchable.
I do believe that since the Rowdies changed leagues, they have to re-sign all their players. I read that this is why some NASL teams have delayed officially joining the USL, red tape of player signings.
BREAKING: @mnanchoff & @Zatchy_P have re-signed with the Rowdies ahead of our debut season in the @USL!READ MORE: https://t.co/IKH6VANWJC pic.twitter.com/tI9q00HZZX— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 14, 2016
BREAKING: The Rowdies have re-signed Keith Savage & @chavo_6 for our 2017 season in the @USL!Read more: https://t.co/JUjScyEd0I pic.twitter.com/WPHUzro7O8— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 20, 2016 Doing a good job of keeping the crew together.
Rowdies re-sign Keith Savage and Justin Chavez. Savage is probably great for the locker room and culture of the Rowdies and Chavez showed some real promise last year. I guess we have our mid field set. Now for some forwards to augment Georgi and Cole and defenders. USL seems to me a younger group of players especially for the MLS squads. These guys have energy and speed to burn so I hope we don't get "to old" and find ourselves running out of steam with keeping olderish players. Again, I haven't watched USL at all this past season so I only presume this to be somewhat factual.
New uniforms next year? Maybe? The Rowdies store has the jersey reduced to $50.00. They've had the same jersey for two years no? They could keep it for another year in my book. Still looks fresh.
At least the NASL patch would be replaced on a new USL jersey, so that is something. They also have ran out of M, L, XXXL for the Primary Jersey.
I'm assuming at least the alternate will change to some other Nike template. I kind of would like to go back to the hoops just being on the sleeves and socks, personally.
..and to round out the end of the year Rowdies re-sign Tamika Mkandawire and Matt Pickens. Happy to see them back. Its going to be a well unified group right from the start. Though I thought we played well last year we needed more goals. Lets hope we get a killer forward next!
Not done yet! BREAKING: Tampa Bay native @21ddking has re-signed with the Rowdies for our @USL debut in 2017! Read more: https://t.co/CHzzlV1KL7 pic.twitter.com/oFQn0MTjPf— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 23, 2016 Love that he's back to keep the homegrown element.
BREAKING: The Rowdies have signed Lakeland native forward Alex Morrell to our 2017 roster! Read more: https://t.co/UXwW6AH72a pic.twitter.com/Gog2agW3z3— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) December 29, 2016 Forward signing! Not sure how good he is though. Only played in 4 MLS and 2 USL games so far? That's player #12. We need a few more to have a full roster for the Florida Cup in a little over a week, though I guess they could also use invites/tryouts or something.
Nice to get a forward, but the Rowdies need a proven goal scorer who can finish the service provided by the midfielders and the backs coming down the wings. One player who I thought had a bright future was Darwin Espinal...what happened to him? Interesting that he'll wear number 9...wasn't that Freddy's number?
Rowdies add key former Orlando execs - with eyes on MLS - https://t.co/2oWAjEgvme - by @JakeNutting #Rowdies #MLS #USL— EoS (@EmpireOfSoccer) January 4, 2017 Rowdies Contacted David Beckham About Possibly Partnering in ... - https://t.co/WfLuEKFRlh - by @JakeNutting #Rowdies #USL #MLS #MLSMiami— EoS (@EmpireOfSoccer) January 4, 2017 Is it FC Cincy vs. 'silent assassins' for MLS? The silent assassins being the Rowdies, that is. Rowdies Welcome Trialists Into Preseason Camp The Rowdies’ confirmed roster as it stands is below: Goalkeepers (1): Matt Pickens Defenders (4): Neill Collins, Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire, Zac Portillos Midfielders (6): Justin Chavez, Joe Cole, Alex Morrell, Michael Nanchoff, Keith Savage, Martin Vingaard Forwards (1): Georgi Hristov Trialists participating in the Rowdies’ preseason camp are listed below: Goalkeepers (2): Nico Campbell, Kyle Morton Defenders (4): Kyle Curinga, Nico Melo, Sergio Manesio, Boubacar Sylla Midfielders (8): Melvin Boateng, Chad Burt, Marcus Epps, Martim Galvao, Manny Gonzalez, Lindo Mfeka, Christian Silva, Eion Warren Forwards (5): Jacques Francois, Jonathan Glenn, Zach Hamm, Santi Moar, Jaime Siaj