The Lockhart Stadium proposal is competing with another from FXE Futbol, a licensed USL franchise, which included letters from financial and business partners from Fort Lauderdale and a construction outline that would require between 28-36 months of development. FXE Futbol targeted 2021 for its inaugural season.
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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/expansion/miami/inter-miami-plans-to-make-lockhart-stadium-in-fort-lauderdale-short-term-home/
Inter Miami to make Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale short-term home
Inter Miami CF could learn if its home for the club’s first two Major League Soccer seasons will be in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as early as Tuesday.
Inter Miami ownership partners David Beckham and Jorge Mas were in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon to announce a proposal for the future 2020 MLS expansion club to play home games in Lockhart Stadium for the first two seasons while its own soccer complex, Miami Freedom Park, is under development. The Beckham-Mas ownership group will await approval of their proposal when City of Fort Lauderdale commissioners discuss it Tuesday. A potential vote would occur during the night session at a 6 p.m. ET commission meeting.
The club initially submitted its proposal to the City of Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 28. In a statement released Thursday, the club emphasized its commitment to privately-fund the design, development, construction and operation of a training facility and 18,000-seat stadium at the Lockhart site.
Inter Miami’s proposal includes plans to tear down Lockhart Stadium and replace it with a $60-million reconstructed stadium that Inter Miami would play in for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The 73-page document submitted by Miami Beckham United, LLC included renderings, a site plan and a schedule that says the group would like to begin construction next month.
Inter Miami also plans to use the Lockhart site as the club’s training facility and home for its USL Division II team and eight academy teams.
Lockhart Stadium opened in 1959. It was previously the home of the former Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL and former MLS-affiliate Miami Fusion.
“Our ownership group has spent months carefully discussing venue options to launch Inter Miami CF’s inaugural season in MLS, while we build Miami Freedom Park,” Mas said in a statement. “Ultimately, we decided to expand our vision a for the Fort Lauderdale project to launch our first two seasons in the League the right way. Our goal is to provide fans with the most captivating soccer atmosphere and gameday experience, and we did not believe this would be possible at the venues we evaluated.”
Inter Miami plans to make Miami Freedom Park its long-term home, provided approval by the city commission and its ability to negotiate a lease before the 2022 MLS season. The club released the first renderings of the park in July 2018. The site proposed is located in Miami-Dade near Miami International Airport. Inter Miami was unable to find a fit at other local stadiums such as Marlins Park, Hard Rock Stadium and Florida International University, seemingly because of potential scheduling conflicts.
The Lockhart Stadium proposal is competing with another from FXE Futbol, a licensed USL franchise, which included letters from financial and business partners from Fort Lauderdale and a construction outline that would require between 28-36 months of development. FXE Futbol targeted 2021 for its inaugural season.
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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/inter-miami-stadium-fort-lauderdale-david-beckham
Beckham’s Inter Miami to play two seasons in Fort Lauderdale
Expansion franchise’s temporary home will eventually house USL team and academy.
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https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/11667721/david-beckham-admits-using-manchester-united-links-to-help-launch-inter-miami
David Beckham admits using Manchester United links to help launch Inter Miami
David Beckham has revealed he has been using his Manchester United links to help him launch his MLS team Inter Miami next year.
The former England captain enjoyed 13 hugely successful seasons at Old Trafford, and admits he has been using all that experience, and his contacts, in his new role as Inter Miami president.
The Manchester United legend also revealed his new MLS side may forge links with Salford City, the National League side he jointly owns with other members of United's 'Class of 92' in Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
Speaking to reporters on the day the team revealed a plan to play their first two seasons at their proposed £45m training complex, Beckham revealed he has been tapping up one his old bosses for advice on how to run a club.
"Ever since I made the arrangement that I was going to be able to buy a franchise once I finished playing, I've been speaking to people like David Gill," he said, referring to the clause in his Los Angeles Galaxy contract that gave him a discount on setting up an MLS team.
"He is someone who has a huge amount of experience at Manchester United, so I've been asking him about the job he did there (as chief executive).
"But there are also other clubs and football people I've been around over my career and been able to gain experience from.
"I also have some great partners here in Miami, who understand the US market. It's a different world from the European leagues but it's catching up really quickly."
Building a state-of-the-art academy, complete with an 18,000-seat stadium, is perhaps the part of the Inter Miami masterplan that excites Beckham most, as youth development is an issue he has been talking about since arriving in the United States in 2007.
"It's one of the things I discussed with MLS commissioner Don Garber when I first came here," said Beckham, who also played for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
"There were only one or two clubs that actually had a system in place and I told him, for the growth of the sport in this country, that had to change.
"To be fair, the MLS has done an amazing job to create academies in the clubs. There's a real push on the level of the players who are coming through."
He said the plan for Inter Miami is to have teams from under-12s upwards, with an under-23 side playing in the second tier United Soccer League.
There is also the possibility of co-operation with his other new venture given the 10 per cent stake he has taken in Salford City, who he jointly owns with Singapore businessman Peter Lim, and the other members of the 'Class of 92' in Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Scholes and Butt.
"Who knows? (Youth development) is important on both sides of the pond," the 43-year-old said.
"With Salford, the hard work has been done over the last few years, bringing the club up to the level they've got to now. The lads have done such a great job.
"For me to be part of that now, since Miami has settled down and we've got that ball rolling, is great. There could be a crossover."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rIGI3VEZdo&t=4s
Rowdies Highlights vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - March 16, 2019
Tampa Bay Rowdies
🎥 Highlights of tonight's 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Shawn Barry and Zach Steinberger scored for the Rowdies.
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https://en.as.com/en/2019/03/17/football/1552815905_878690.html
Beckham dreaming of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo at Inter Miami
Inter Miami owner David Beckham acknowledges his new MLS franchise may not be able to poach dream targets Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2826156-david-beckham-discusses-bringing-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-to-mls
David Beckham Discusses Bringing Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b27ne0/ralphs_mob_2019_season_opener_animated_tifo_get/
Ralph's Mob 2019 Season Opener Animated Tifo, "Get Off the Couch and Into the Stands"
https://streamable.com/2i4pc
https://i.imgur.com/LlwAQZP.jpg
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b287jn/norwich_city_fc_on_twitter_on_319_norwich_city/
[Norwich City FC on Twitter] On 3/19, Norwich City and the Rowdies set to make some announcement - "Yellow and Green Dream"?
Hearing that this is about a friendly between Norwich and the Rowdies in July...
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https://twitter.com/NorwichCityFC/status/1107280425011933184
Norwich City FC
Verified account
@NorwichCityFC
1️⃣9️⃣/ 0️⃣3️⃣/ 1️⃣9️⃣
Watch this space.... 💛💚
@TampaBayRowdies #ncfc #YellowAndGreenDream
7:00 AM - 17 Mar 2019
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b2axx5/calculations_thoughts_on_attendance_raised_in/
Calculations: Thoughts on attendance raised in Sell-Out post.
The issue of whether or not our first home match was actually sold out, was raised in another thread. But I thought it merited its own discussion.
I don't doubt Saturdays Sell-Out, but this is the first Rays-era match and I was away on business. Here are my thoughts on the matter itself. In the past, I could look through the stands and easily ballpark what the announced attendance would be. Personally speaking, they were always very consistent. But again, I had to miss this one. On the other hand, judging attendance from the broadcasts is nearly impossible for many reasons.
It takes a good 20 minutes into the match for everyone to get seated after the field entrance activities.
Standing areas: agenerally not ticked (never seen it), so occupied they get occupied by seat holders and GA patrons. This includes "The Hill", the area west of the Mid-field seats, *possibly the garden to the east of said stands (but they are probably part of a coporate mid-field seat package?), and now the new food truck area along Bayshore.
Those F*ing camera angles, always show our worst side.
Corporate packages in the midfield. Seat liscenses bring in good money, but not the ardent fans that stick around watching the match instead of schmoozing in the corporate tent. Ergo.... Empty seats may already be sold, but not visibly occupied. Same thing in the main stands. Groups buy a block of reserved seats which can't be double sold.
In the end, I always look forward to Dueces numbers! (Keep it going Mob brother!) It's hard to judge a venue geared towards families. Yet the Rowdies clearly draw a good crowd so all we're really talking about is semantics!
COYR!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b25dhm/new_rowdies_history_wall_added_to_al_lang_stadium/
New Rowdies history wall added to Al Lang Stadium (replacing Spring Training history wall)
was a surprising, very nice addition to the walls there. super cool!
Takuya Yamada, what a wonderful phrase..
Very cool addition and glad to see our history get the attention it deserves!
On a related note, how were the new concessions/food trucks?
Gorgeous :)
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https://twitter.com/phat7deuce/status/1107058973394563073?s=21
Mike Pendleton
@phat7deuce
Some VERY COOL additions to Al Lang Stadium this year...
4:20 PM - 16 Mar 2019
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b26u7j/rowdies_to_scrimmage_stetson_u_at_6pm_tonight_at/
Rowdies to scrimmage Stetson U. at 6pm tonight at Al Lang
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https://twitter.com/StetsonMSoccer/status/1107314025585618945
Stetson Men's Soccer
@StetsonMSoccer
We take on @tampabayrowdies tonight!! Kickoff is at 6pm, Al Lang Stadium in Saint Petersburg #springszn #gohatters
9:13 AM - 17 Mar 2019
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b228u2/j_kings_corner_tbr_v_pgh_week_2_20/
J. King's Corner: TBR v PGH (Week 2) 2-0
Collins on a roll- I was watching Swansea City earlier today get a 2-0 lead on Manchester City and what the Rowdies are able to do is quite reminiscent of the first half of that game. Collins has a defensive minded group that can has enough energy to get down each side of the field in a hurry but when possession is lost they get right back into a defensive shape and are practically impenetrable. I was initially concerned when the season started how the Rowdies were going to get forward with so much of a defensive identity and I think what Collins has in his squad is brilliant. Guys like Morad and Barry are not only making defensive contributions but they're getting the ball upfield and attacking from different angles so that not every possession has to go through Ekra or Steinberger. Steinberger and Ekra can get in open positions and create chances because they have faith that their players can get them the ball.
Breaking through Lilley's Wall- I think the Rowdies are somewhat fortunate that they're getting Lilley's Riverhounds at home for Pitt's first game of the season. I'd expect this Riverhounds club to be much more polished mid-season. However, that doesn't take away how the Rowdies were a lot more effective offensively in week 2 against a historically brutal defensive team. The Rowdies were the more physical team and this week there were no cards issued. Advantage: green and gold. Adam Najem got destroyed last week and this week Dos Santos and Brett were bothered. But the goals were definitely a piece of Shawn Barry's brilliance. The first goal he cleaned up perfectly and then going on to beat two defenders and get the assist is sublime.
Tejada continues to earn playing time- In a sub stint there's no question Tejada is continuing to impress. He makes a big difference with his energy forcing turnovers. Allen wasn't particularly impressive tonight. He had a perfect chance to make his mark with a wide open cross for a goal and missed it. Allen was pretty quiet otherwise. Tejada came in and it wasn't long before he was causing trouble for Pitt. If Allen isn't careful, Tejada could eat away at Allen's potential playing time this season.
Answers at midfield- I was impressed with Steinberger and Ekra last week, and this week was no different. Steinberger was making great passes, got himself a goal, was making defensive plays, and was really good on the ball all night long. Steinberger did just about everything you could ask of him. Ekra is the perfect veteran to make cheeky and smart plays in the middle of the park. Ekra is a vast improvement defensively over Poku's performances last year. Poku could be in for a long year if Ekra and Steinberger are this consistent. It already seems Collins favors Tinari over Poku possibly leaving Poku fourth out of four available center mids.
Diakite too early MVP discussion- Just leaving this here because even though it's too early, I want to come back to this moment in a few months when it's a legitimate discussion.
Sour notes- I hinted already that Allen wasn't really heard from and it's already a concern over his potential ceiling as a starting forward. If Allen is to a weekly starter, he'll have to at least start getting some shots towards the net. At least Guenzatti got himself open for a shot. I hate to do this because I love Oduro but I still have my concerns over his decision making. From time to time he'll make a really nice crisp pass but far too often he's giving away bad turnovers. The biggest room for growth and maturity in Oduro's game is his passing. Oduro didn't get burned by his turnovers tonight, but you can't get away with it every week.
While Allen's performance wasn't the best I would give him a few more games to build some confidence. Usually he doesn't miss chances like that open header and he can be a focal point of attack and is an aerial presence. Having said that I am a big fan of Taylor and would like to see him get more of a chance and Tejada is a great option for pace and dribbling ability. Ultimately we have a good problem of having several capable strikers who should improve as they get used to Neil's gameplan.
Great summary and follows my thoughts on each of the players as well. Hope to see more and more of Tejada in the upcoming games.
You’re in my brain on this one. To endorse a few points:
I noticed the same on how they spring back into shape defensively. Seemingly is going to make it really tough on a lot of teams. The outside CBs (Richards and Morad) are doing a lot of distribution, creating a lot of opportunity to go forward with numbers and bounce back quickly. EVERYBODY is defending (maybe except Allen).
I can’t see how Poku gets into this squad. Ekra does so many little things well and I liked Tinari a lot in preseason.
Tejada creates absolute hell defensively. He made the keeper waste possession at least three times by my count in the stands. Putting him on at the end of games to hold a game should be almost criminal.
I think I’d rather see Hoppenot than Allen, TBH. Allen’s good to lean on some big CBs, so that’s definitely a role to play. Shift Guenzatti centrally and have Hoppenot as the trailing striker perhaps.
Team has been really fun to watch. Glad there’s depth, because this relentlessness is going to require bodies to give guys rest. It’s a nice system/style (on short data) for knockout tourneys and road matches. Hopefully we can nab more points away and maybe make an Open Cup run...
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1zyfy/great_start_to_the_season/
Great start to the season!
https://i.redd.it/8gbsp9m81lm21.jpg
this has potential
YES, WE DON’T GET NEARLY ENOUGH SHITPOSTS AROUND HERE...BRING ME THE MEMES!!!
This Pelican FUCKS
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1zzoe/shawn_berry_appreciation_thread/
SHAWN BERRY APPRECIATION THREAD
If he doesn't win Ballon d'Or this year we riot!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1p7x1/rowdies_set_for_home_opener_saturday_night_story/
Rowdies set for home opener Saturday night - Story | FOX 13 Tampa Bay
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http://www.fox13news.com/sports/rowdies-set-for-home-opener-saturday-night
Rowdies set for home opener Saturday night
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1p2k1/pittsburgh_soccer_now_preview_and_scouting_report/
Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Preview and Scouting Report: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Nice write up. Author calls it a 532 but Collins calls it a 352. (I agree with Collins). Interested to see if our “poor technical” play can be tallied up to Memphis playing very “excited” and the Rowdies having to match them on energy. COYR
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https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2019/03/15/preview-and-scouting-report-tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-pittsburgh-riverhounds-sc/amp/
Preview and Scouting Report: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1jeg4/match_preview_tbrvpit/
Match Preview: #TBRvPIT
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1003915
MATCH PREVIEW: #TBRVPIT
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1k6b6/good_new_for_anybody_looking_for_more_food/
Good new for anybody looking for more food selection at Al Lang this year!
According to Rowdies tweet, food trucks inside and outside Al Lang.
Fantastic idea, should have done this years ago.
Rays ownership showing some good ideas so far.
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1004376
FOOD TRUCKS JOIN ROWDIES CONCESSIONS ROSTER
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 14, 2019) — In our continued efforts to improve the fan experience inside Al Lang Stadium, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are delighted to announce that food trucks will make their debut as part of the Rowdies concessions roster at Saturday night’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
The 2019 season is already set to include new uniforms and fresh faces, but we now have more food options on offer than ever before. Several food trucks will be on-hand both inside and outside Al Lang Stadium for fans to enjoy local fare from some of the region’s most popular traveling restaurants.
Vanchetta (rotisserie porchetta and other sandwiches), Bacon Boss, Ikigai Truck (sushi bowls and wraps) and Nutri-Truck (health-conscious items) will be located outside the stadium serving food from 5 p.m. to kickoff.
Once stadium gates open at 6:30 p.m., fans can visit the CJ’s Traveling Pizzeria and The Dude and His Food (American fare) trucks on the asphalt area adjacent to Bayshore Drive. Fans with tickets in the Midfield seating section can visit the St. Pete Taco Lady truck.
A rotation of food trucks will be available at all Rowdies home games for the entire 2019 regular season.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b1501s/rowdies_still_a_kick_in_the_grass_for_tampa_bays/
Rowdies Still A Kick in the Grass for Tampa Bay’s Fans
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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1004289
Rowdies Still A Kick in the Grass for Tampa Bay’s Fans
MORE THAN 40 YEARS AFTER THE CLUB’S DEBUT, RALPH’S MOB LEADS FERVENT SUPPORT AT AL LANG STADIUM
TAMPA, Fla. – Few people know the soccer scene in Tampa Bay better than Rowdies legend Perry Van der Beck.
The former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder joined the club in 1978 and has been a mainstay in the community ever since. Van der Beck enjoyed multiple stints with the team during his playing career and led what he calls “the Rebirth of the Rowdies” in 2008 as Technical Director of the modern-day franchise.
Throughout those experiences around the Rowdies’ organization, Van der Beck has seen what the local fanbase is all about.
“When I think of the soccer culture here for the Rowdies, I think of two words: Ralph’s Mob,” Van der Beck said in a phone interview this week. “They’re the passionate fans that the Rowdies have always had since Day 1. You know, going back to the early days in 1975 when the team won the championship and then in ‘78 and ‘79 went to the Soccer Bowl Final. Ever since that, fans have always had an identity with the team.”
As the first professional sports team in Tampa Bay ahead of the Buccaneers’ arrival in 1976, the Rowdies have retained a special place for the fans of that era, who subsequently passed on stories of when Van der Beck, Rodney Marsh, Mike Connell and Farrukh Quraishi played for the side. The club’s original song – featuring the line “the Rowdies are a kick in the grass” that now adorns Big Storm Brewing’s official club beer – still plays at Al Lang Stadium, and through that the fans’ identification with the team has remained.
A lot of that also has to do with Ralph’s Mob, a local supporters’ group that has cheered on the modern-day franchise since it took the field for the first time in 2010.
“We have a lot of historical pride and memory. A lot of our Mob members were fannies of the original Rowdies and all that stuff,” said Aron Retkes, Vice President of Ralph’s Mob. “So, we have a lot of historical sense of pride here that I think a lot of other groups can be kind of jealous about because we have such a long history.”
Ralph’s Mob is forging quite the history of its own as it heads into its 10th anniversary season. The group, which started talking on message boards in 2008 when the FC Tampa Bay project was first announced, is expecting more support than ever during the 2019 USL Championship season.
“In the beginning, we kind of started as a chant-only group and that’s kind of how it is formulated even to the present day,” said Retkes. “We focus and prioritize our voices versus a whole bunch of drums and everything like that. We try to be kind of a unified sound.”
From player-specific chants to traditional team ones, that sound can be heard in full force at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg all season long. That’s not the only place you’ll hear them, though.
“We love to focus a little bit more on away trips now that we have more trips within striking distance with Birmingham [Legion FC] coming in,” said Retkes. “Anything out of Florida is a long trip because it’s a 5-6 hour drive just to get out of the state, so anything in the Southeast region that pops up, we’re always excited about.”
In addition to going to Birmingham for the first time this season, the Mob is making the trip to Slugger Field when the Rowdies take on two-time defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC in September.
There are also plans in place for the group’s annual trip to Charleston, which is set to take on new meaning this year. The Mob has partnered with the Skyway Casuals – a new Rowdies supporters’ group – and Battery fan groups Queen Anne’s Revenge and The Regiment to start a new cup competition.
“All four of us are going to be putting together a supporters’ trophy between the two clubs and kind of bringing the pirate history between both cities [together] in a themed supporter trophy,” said Ralph’s Mob President Jesse Novoa.
Other away days will be spent across the Tampa Bay metro area, as the Mob has partnered with Wild Rover Brewing Company (Tampa), Jimmy’s Sports Bar (St. Petersburg) and the Shamrock Pub (Sarasota) to host watch parties.
However, the Mob’s home pub location is Thirsty First in St. Petersburg, where it hosts a pre-game party ahead of Rowdies home matches. Members typically split time between that location and a parking-lot tailgate before marching as one into the stadium.
“They’re marching through the streets of St. Pete into the parking lot, into the stadium and just start singing,” Van der Beck said of the pre-game atmosphere. “And as players, as a staff member on the team, you hear that, you feel that, and you just say, there they are and they’re always cheering you on.
“The fans here have always been – for me – unwavering. They’re unwavering support. Win or lose, rain or shine, they’ve always been here.”
That will certainly be the case on Saturday when the Rowdies host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the club’s home opener on Saturday night.
Novoa says the Mob has a tifo worthy of the occasion ready to go before kickoff and is excited to pump up Head Coach Neill Collins’ new-look squad take the field for meaningful action.
But most of all, he’s ready to reunite with his fellow Mob members.
“I think that’s the biggest thing that I’m looking forward to is getting back in the stands with my Rowdies family if you will and enjoying soccer, enjoying something that we love together.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b17fg9/j_kings_player_form_project_week_1_mem_v_tbr/
J King's Player Form Project Week 1- MEM v TBR
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kcs5D_0BPsGORIv_Nf1HPXzxzqpphkIKNdybGRtynn4/edit#gid=0
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/b15076/papé_diakité_named_to_championship_team_of_the/
Papé Diakité Named to Championship Team of the Week
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1003545
PAPÉ DIAKITÉ NAMED TO CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE WEEK
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