Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are an American professional soccer team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The club was founded in 2008 and first took the pitch in 2010. Since 2017, the Rowdies have been members of the USL Championship in the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. They formerly played in USSF Division 2 (in 2010) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) (from 2011 to 2016), which were also second-tier leagues. The Rowdies play their home games at Al Lang Stadium on St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront.

The current club is a phoenix club of the original Tampa Bay Rowdies, who were active from 1975 until 1993, most notably in the original North American Soccer League. It shares its name, logo, and some of its club culture with the original club. The owners of the current club announced their intention to use the old Rowdies' trademarks at its introductory press conference in 2008. However, licensing issues forced the club to use the name FC Tampa Bay until December 2011, when it gained full rights to the Rowdies name and other intellectual property. The current Rowdies have always used the same green and yellow color scheme and "hoops" as the original team, even when they could not yet use the Rowdies name.

The Rowdies captured the NASL championship in Soccer Bowl 2012, and their team shield includes two stars: one for their 2012 win and one for the 1975 Soccer Bowl championship won by the original Rowdies. The club has had a long-standing rivalry with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, with whom they have contested the Florida Derby since the original Rowdies and Strikers first met in 1977. The Rowdies were also named co-league champions in 2020 after winning the USL Regular Season title and Eastern Conference Championship, but the title game was canceled due to COVID-19. They were Eastern Conference Champions again in 2021, but lost in the title game.

In October 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays, the area's Major League Baseball franchise, announced plans to purchase the Rowdies and assume control of Al Lang Stadium.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a professional soccer team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 1975, the team has a rich history and a passionate fan base. The Rowdies compete in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, the second tier of American soccer.

Known for their iconic green and yellow striped jerseys, the Rowdies play their home matches at Al Lang Stadium, a historic waterfront venue that provides a picturesque backdrop for soccer games. The team's mascot, Pete the Pelican, adds to the fun and energetic atmosphere at Rowdies matches.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have a strong tradition of success, with multiple league championships and a dedicated following of supporters known as the "Rowdies Mob." The team's commitment to community involvement and youth development programs has helped to grow the sport of soccer in the Tampa Bay area.

With a talented roster of players and a passionate fan base, the Tampa Bay Rowdies continue to be a prominent and respected team in American soccer. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a casual fan, attending a Rowdies match is sure to be a memorable experience filled with excitement and camaraderie.