Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993)
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| Full name | Tampa Bay Rowdies |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Rowdies |
| Founded | June 19, 1974 |
| Dissolved | January 31, 1994 |
| Stadium |
Outdoor: Tampa Stadium (71,000) USF Soccer Stadium (4,000) Indoor: Bayfront Center (6,410) Expo Hall (9,200) Lakeland Civic Center (8,178) |
| Owner | George W. Strawbridge, Jr. |
| Chairman |
Beau Rogers, IV Chas Serednesky, Jr |
| Coach |
Eddie Firmani (1975–77) John Boyle (1977) Gordon Jago (1978–82) Al Miller (1982–83) Rodney Marsh (1984) |
| League |
North American Soccer League (1975–1984) American Indoor Soccer Association (1986–1987) American Soccer League (1988–1989) American Professional Soccer League (1990–1993) |
The Tampa Bay Rowdies was an American professional soccer team based in Tampa, Florida, that competed in the original North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1984. They enjoyed broad popular support in the Tampa Bay area until the NASL folded in 1984, after which the team played in various minor indoor and outdoor leagues before finally folding on January 31, 1994. The Rowdies played nearly all of their outdoor home games at Tampa Stadium and nearly all of their indoor games at the Bayfront Center Arena in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida. Although San Diego played indoors until 1996, the Rowdies were the last surviving NASL franchise that played outdoor soccer on a regular basis.
On June 19, 1974George Strawbridge and Beau Rogers, IV purchased an expansion franchise in North American Soccer League for the sum of $25,000 and by July 24 they named Eddie Firmani their coach. On November 21, 1974, the Tampa Bay Professional Soccer Club announced that they would henceforth be known as the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies played ten seasons at Tampa Stadium and won their only Soccer Bowl championship in their 1975 inaugural season, defeating the Portland Timbers 2–0 on August 24. The Rowdies also finished as runners-up in 1978 and 1979. The team showcased international stars such as midfielder, and team captain Rodney Marsh (England), 1979 league scoring leader Oscar Fabbiani (Chile), swift and lethal forward Steve Wegerle (South Africa), rock-solid defenseman Arsene Auguste (Haiti), 1976 NASL goal scoring champion Derek Smethurst (South Africa), who was also the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 57 tallies in 65 games, as well as hulking forward Clyde Best (Bermuda). Coached along the way by Firmani, John Boyle, Gordon Jago, Al Miller, and Marsh after his retirement, their catch phrase and marketing slogan was "The Rowdies arrrre...a kick in the grass!"
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