Designing a Rowdies Crest – Honoring a Classic Logo for a Nostalgic Fanbase [My site] (theunsubs.com)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/89pu67/designing_a_rowdies_crest_honoring_a_classic_logo/

Designing a Rowdies Crest – Honoring a Classic Logo for a Nostalgic Fanbase [My site] (theunsubs.com)

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/04/04/designing-a-rowdies-crest-honoring-a-classic-logo-for-a-nostalgic-fanbase/3564

Designing a Rowdies Crest – Honoring a Classic Logo for a Nostalgic Fanbase

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/88aotc/rowdies_career_scorer_derek_smethurst_ready_to/

Rowdies’ career scorer Derek Smethurst ready to see his record broken (tbo.com)

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http://www.tbo.com/sports/rowdies/2018/03/30/rowdies-career-scorer-derek-smethurst-ready-to-see-his-record-broken/

Rowdies’ career scorer Derek Smethurst ready to see his record broken

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/rowdies/2018/03/30/rowdies-career-scorer-derek-smethurst-ready-to-see-his-record-broken/

Rowdies’ career scorer Derek Smethurst ready to see his record broken

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https://www.facebook.com/naslisfifty/photos/p.209673589796884/209673589796884/?type=1&theater

1970s Soccer USA

What's in a Name? Tampa Bay's NASL expansion franchise got its nickname through a write-in "Name the Team" contest in 1974. Out of nearly 12,500 entries it was a Clearwater attorney, Bill Wilhelm, who suggested the winner: "Rowdies." Wilhelm earned a vacation to Acapulco for his efforts, along with a lifetime pass to all home games. Before long, Tampa Bay fans were called "Fannies," Tampa Bay cheerleaders were called "Wowdies," and the Tampa Bay pep band was called the "Loudies."

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/89w3vh/field_of_dreams_entrepreneur_transforms_pinellas/

Field of dreams: Entrepreneur transforms Pinellas Park junkyard into soccer fields (tbnweekly.com)

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http://www.tbnweekly.com/north_county/pinellas_park_beacon/field-of-dreams-entrepreneur-transforms-pinellas-park-junkyard-into-soccer/article_8480d056-3771-11e8-a7f0-1fc266c03958.html

Field of dreams: Entrepreneur transforms Pinellas Park junkyard into soccer fields

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/89m83w/rowdie_takeaways_week_3_lou_v_tbr/

Rowdie Takeaways Week 3: LOU v TBR (self.TampaBayRowdies)

This one feels familiar- Towards the end of last season, I devoted some time to studying the Rowdies atrocious road record from the last three seasons. Having only watched all the road games of 2017, I could only speak on what I saw through the course of the season, and there was a multitude of factors that contributed to the Rowdies road woes. Sometimes it was the turf. Sometimes it was the offense not finishing chances. Sometimes it was lazy defending. Sometimes it was fatigue. Sometimes it was a combination of everything (I think it was the road game against the Riverhounds or Rhinos in a 2-0 loss where everything was bad).

Let's talk turf- I dislike the turf being one of the first things that come up, but in this case, I think the turf at Slugger Field played a huge factor in the Rowdies struggle to pass in Lou's half of the field and cross and shoot and do all the things that lead to scoring goals. I believe there was talk about the field condition being affected due to snow or rain from Lou's previously canceled game and it was easy to tell the Rowdies took the whole first half to figure out how the ball was going to roll and bounce.

Bear with me as I backseat coach- Obviously, my tactical football opinion means little since I only really got into soccer 4ish years ago, but I'll garishly state my opinions for debate nonetheless. The Rowdies attacking lineup going into Lou City was backward. I like Graf, Flemmings, and Morrell for road contests because they can create offense by going 1-on-1 with guys whereas Guenzatti, Fernandes, and Hristov do more work off the ball and are looking for the pass. We've seen Leo and Hristov get theirs in week 1 and 2, and I think they'll continue to be lethal at home, but they looked very uncomfortable on Slugger Field. If you have Flemmings and/or Morrell go all out for 60 minutes, I think you'll have a goal and then you can bring in a Fernandes or Guenzatti for fresh legs to slow it down and control the ball and pace of the game. But once again, I'm backseat coaching here.

One momentary slip- Lou's goal came from a beautifully rolled through ball where Najem came forward and a Rowdies defender bit on the play allowing a free run and shot at the ball. Lou City was bound to score eventually because Spencer was knocking on the door all game long up to that point. Mizell had a wicked 1-on-1 save earlier in the first half where Gorskie got torched. Collins got blown by on a Spencer run as well. This is something to keep an eye on where physical opposing strikers who can impose their will on the Rowdies back line are very dangerous.

Commentary- I had to turn the sound way down on the broadcast because often times there would be nasty static sounds. The color commentator was lauding every Rowdies player as if we paid him off. I get that our players are talented but at a point a judgmental eye can key in on specific strengths and weaknesses. I won't go full rant here, but when I heard him talk about Gorskie as an elite defender, I just don't think it's fair to throw around the word 'elite' for a guy who still needs to prove he's a quality starter.

Hakuna Matata- For now at least. As long as this doesn't become a habit and Coach Stu can figure out how to get W's on the road, I'm not worried about one close loss to a good team early in the season. This game should be a coachable moment for the players and coaches.

Looking ahead- April is gonna be some tough sledding. Red Bulls 2 are always scrappy, Charleston was a brutal matchup last year, and we haven't seen the Real Monarchs but they're off to a hot start.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/88s3n8/unused_substitutes_coffee_talk_yep_we_definitely/

Unused Substitutes Coffee Talk: Yep. We Definitely Prefer Winning [OC] (theunsubs.com)

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/04/01/coffee-talk-yep-we-definitely-still-prefer-winning/3557

Coffee Talk: Yep. We Definitely Still Prefer Winning

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/04/01/coffee-talk-yep-we-definitely-still-prefer-winning/3557

Coffee Talk: Yep. We Definitely Still Prefer Winning

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/88lo9a/post_match_thread_easter_is_a_time_for_traditions/

Post-Match Thread Post match thread: Easter is a time for traditions (self.TampaBayRowdies)

As is tradition, we lose on the road. Was not our best game but Mizell is a treasure whom we must protect

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http://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/rays-spending-on-pr-campaign-but-not-on-curb-appeal/67-533531307

Rays spending on PR campaign, but not on curb appeal

St Petersburg code enforcement had to notify the Rays they were failing to meet minimum standards for their signage outside Tropicana Field. But that doesn't mean the team isn't spending outside the stadium: 10Investigates found them investing on PR and marketing consultants via the "grassroots" stadium search group.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/03/29/poke-bowl-and-sushi-burrito-restaurant-coming-to.html

Poke bowl and sushi burrito restaurant coming to downtown St. Pete (Renderings)

Pacific Counter plans to open this summer.

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/20998655/pacific-counter-st-pete-chefdriven-poke-bowls-sushi-burritos-600-block

Pacific Counter to build chef-driven poke bowls, sushi burritos on the 600 Block

How do you feel about a sushi robot? The downtown St. Pete newbie has one.

A rendering of downtown St. Pete's Pacific Counter, set to premiere sometime in summer.

Downtown St. Pete’s 600 Block is getting its own speedy destination for create-your-own poke bowls and sushi burritos. Scheduled to launch in summer, Pacific Counter — a fast-casual meets chef-driven newbie — plans to mix top-notch ingredients and technology under one roof at 660 Central Ave.

A sushi robot, for example, will help partners Tanner Loebel, Eric Bialik and Chitt Noythanongsay pull off Pacific Counter’s burritos. Flown in from Japan and billed as the first of its kind locally, the machine can churn out up to 1,200 sheets of burrito bases per hour.

“While the concept is fast-casual, our entire menu is chef-driven with a focus on integrity and consistency,” said Loebel in a statement. “We are marrying top-of-the-line ingredients with innovative tech, and the result is a superior product served quickly, which our customers can enjoy in a relaxed and fun environment.”

The Bay area isn’t unfamiliar territory for Loebel and his fellow partners. Loebel founded FoodNow and owned the restaurant delivery service until last year, when it was acquired by Bite Squad. A former general manager of Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club, Bialik most recently served as the GM for Grill One Sixteen between 2013 and 2016. And Noythanongsay, known as chef Tock, is a food industry vet who played significant roles in several sushi restaurants around town, including Samurai Blue, Sushi Rock Grill and Roy’s, where he trained under celeb chef Roy Yamaguchi.

PC Interior PerspectiveHow the fast-casual interior will look.Wannemacher Jensen Architects

With an emphasis on fresh produce and quality seafood, the restaurant’s food costs $3 to $12, while drinks are $2.50 to $5. Expect 10 signature builds that come as a burrito or a bowl — among them three vegan options. But diners can also choose from a selection of bases, proteins, toppings and house-made sauces to customize their cravings.

Specials are set to rotate daily alongside limited-time “wave items,” depending on their availability and the seasons. The signature Dole Whip (a soft-serve pineapple dessert available in cup or float form), Frostee Kirin (essentially a Kirin beer topped with frozen foam) and Sake Slush (self explanatory, right?) are also menu highlights.

Oh, and, although the restaurant hasn’t premiered yet, Pacific Counter will become the official caterer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in May, serving up post-practice and -game meals led by chef Tock for the team and coaching staff.

Once its doors on the 600 Block do open, however, delivery is expected, as are to-go and catering programs. Pacific Counter’s anticipated hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours until midnight for late-night guests on Friday and Saturday.

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http://www.tbo.com/sports/rays/2018/03/28/remember-when-the-last-spring-training-baseball-game-at-al-lang-was-20-years-ago-thursday/

Remember when: The last spring training baseball game at Al Lang was 10 years ago Thursday

Ten years ago Thursday, an era of baseball ended at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg.

The Tampa Bay Rays played the final baseball game in a park that was built in 1947 and used almost exclusively for baseball to that point.

Babe Ruth played there. Stan Musial played there. In addition to the Rays, the Yankees, Cardinals, Mets and Orioles called it their spring home.

Since 2011, Al Lang has been home to the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer club and it looks a lot different. Check out the photo gallery above to see what Al Lang looked like 10 years ago Thursday, the last time it dressed up for a professional baseball game, and the last time a baseball crowd dressed up for it.

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/902876?referrer_id=2349190

Heinemann Signs for Penn FC

Veteran forward joins former teammates Peiser, Muhammad

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Penn FC announced on Thursday it had signed forward Tommy Heinemann, pending league and federation approval.

Heinemann is reunited with Penn Head Coach Raoul Voss, who was an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Rowdies during Heinemann’s two seasons with the club. Most recently a member of the San Francisco Deltas, the 30-year-old forward also joined former teammates goalkeeper Romu Peiser and forward Saalih Muhammad with the club after the trip helped the Deltas claim a championship last fall.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Heinemann brings extensive experience from both Major League Soccer and the lower divisions to Penn FC. The 6-foot-4 forward won the USL Second Division championship with the Charleston Battery in 2010, and subsequently joined Columbus Crew SC prior to the 2011 season.

Heinemann made 43 appearances in MLS over three seasons as he spent two years with Crew SC before joining Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the 2013 season. Heinemann has also previously featured for Ottawa Fury FC before his stints with the Rowdies and the Deltas.

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http://www.wmnf.org/tampa-business-leaders-make-the-case-for-an-ybor-city-ballpark/

Tampa business leaders make the case for an Ybor City ballpark

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/903091?referrer_id=2349190

Mizell Takes Fans’ Choice Save of the Week

Rowdies goalkeeper takes top spot in weekly poll for standout stop against Steel FC

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http://leaderpost.com/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc/tfc-scores-big-win-over-club-america/wcm/030c4371-23cb-4c41-8190-56a482749baf

LARSON: Toronto FC isn't representing MLS. They're an aberration after stunning Club America and Tigres

TORONTO — Hear, hear, Miguel Herrera.

Club America’s tough-talkin’ bench boss was 100% correct in his pre-match assessment.

“Our league (Liga MX) doesn’t compete with MLS,” he said with a hint of arrogance. It’s who he is.

“(We) compete with the leagues of Europe.”

His comments didn’t sit well before MLS fans who crave, at the very least, regional respect.

But Herrera’s harsh — but fair — indictment ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League semifinal was something of a compliment. Toronto FC certainly is an MLS anomaly.

However, the Reds aren’t representing MLS in this competition.

They’re representing this city — their club. They’ve demonstrated they’re in a league of their own.

And they’re an away performance away from appearing in a Champions League final following a monumental 3-1 win against a Mexican side that has won just about everything there is to win — including back-to-back Champions League titles.