Oh god, do we suck at supporting our sport teams on here. First we neglect to make a Rays thread when they're first in their division and now we forget to make a thread for the Rowdies who are 1-0 after beating the Crystal Palace Baltimore April 16th.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5b/Tampabay_rowdies.png

Not a bad looking shield. Can't believe Baltimore ripped off the Crystal Palace moniker though.

2 things...

1. The Rowdies sold out there home opener against Austin, the game ended in a tie and over 8,000 people showed up. I watched some of the videos with the fans, and for this to be Minor league soccer, they sure are into it. There is even video of them going to Miami and getting into it with players from the other team .. not just arguing apparently some punches were thrown lol. I think the name of the crazy bunch is Ralphs mob... a new version of the same folks that went wild for the rowdies back in the day.

and 2.

I think it is completely possible MLS could back to Tampa. The president of MLS has already stated that it is likely a Team would come back to Florida, while he has said South Florida specifically, (sometimes People outside of Florida refer to Tampa as being south Florida) I think it is possible that if the Rowdies continue to Draw a large amount of Fans, by NASL standards 6k and up, more than Miami F.C.... That the Bay area could once again be home to Major league soccer.

Wonder how long they'll wait until announcing any more MLS teams. They'll probably wait for one or two more years on the Rowdies before jumping to any discussion of a MLS in Tampa. If they do announce a MLS in Tampa, it would seriously help out the Fairgrounds Redevelopment Project with their stadium proposal.

I do believe that the Rowdies haven't lost a game so far as well. I believe they have either won 2 or 3 and tied 3 other games. And the team is seriously impressive. Not being a MLS team, they sure as hell look like one when they're out there.

Yeah, I am hoping to make it to next Thursday's game in Tampa. They really are doing great, and drawing big for a minor league team. Hopefully they keep this up. I believe though that MLS will go back to Miami area before here again, but at least we have a professional team in Tampa again!

Steve

They tend to announce new MLS teams whenever a local backer gets his act together and puts a solid plan in place. I think Montreal was moved up a couple years because the owner of the Impact has deep pockets and the area supports the team.

If TB had someone with $100m in the bank and willing to at least pay for half a new SSS, then it would be a go. Dallas draws crap at Pizza Hut park but they are an original team and they managed to get a SSS built. I think Philly is do well this year, but honestly I haven't gotten into MLS as much this season as I was following Arsenal's latest grand effort at throwing away a season at the end.

The Beckham thing is important too, as supposedly he is promised a franchise whenever he wants to get it going. LA is already Galaxy and Goats territory, so the rumors keep heading toward Miami and a second NY team (that would actually play within NY City). Personally I think a Tampa team would draw better than Miami, but to the people making the decisions, Tampa is the Columbus of Florida, not exactly a hotbed of glamour and excitement.

I was about to post how NO team from South Florida has ever had attendance better than the Mutiny or the original rowdies (who used to draw close to 30k a game) ... then I realized you said you think would draw better .. lol so oops on my part.

Honestly I think Tampa could be seen as a glamorous type of city, all it takes is a movie or 2 being shot here glorifying it,... I know it won't be on Miami's level of glamorous-ness...but it could become the other hip city in Florida with the correct push IMO.

Honestly I think Tampa could be seen as a glamorous type of city, all it takes is a movie or 2 being shot here glorifying it,... I know it won't be on Miami's level of glamorous-ness...but it could become the other hip city in Florida with the correct push IMO.

Tampa has a looonnnggg way to becoming glamorous. I think as D said "the Columbus of Florida" is spot on. We have had a fair share of movies filmed in the area:Cocoon, Cop and a Half, The Punisher, Edward Scissorhands, etc. but none were on the glamorous side, that is for sure.

Steve

Plus, the Cosmos owner and the borough boys are pushing huge for a second NY team. I swear if the MLS hadn't scheduled all those mid-week games back in the day, the Mutiny would still probably be around. TB is what it is, a comfortable place to live. No great business environment, no great entertainment options, nothing exception, just comfortable. An easy place to just get by. And when your big competition is NY and Miami, no chance. The best opportunity would be to lure an established team, Columbus who are constant subject to relocation rumors, to TB with a SSS and a sold out season ticket package. So that's the task, come up with pre-sales of 16K or so and a new stadium and your set.

3-0 win over AC St. Louis. They are now 3-1-3 this season!

New york doesn't need a second team, the red bulls just opened a 25k seat stadium this year and the attendance is only 16k. Overall their attendance isn't bad by MLS standards but it's not enough to warrant a second Team.

The Mutiny were contracted because they had no owner, it was an easy decision for the MLS.

From what I have been reading if Florida does get a team it's looking like it may be in Fort Luaderdale, the attendance historically has been better in FTL than in Miami for whatever reason. But still they never drew fans like any Tampa team.

I know they don't need one, however when you consider its the biggest media market and is the business hub of the US, it would be tempting to put a second team there. LA has two teams. I think TB could beat out Lauderdale, they just need someone with deep pockets to step up and spend. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of those types of people around.

I went to the Rowdies game tonight, it was a lot of fun, there was about 6-7k there, a lil less than the opener but not bad for a minor league soccer match on a Thursday night. The Fans are pretty hardcore "Ralphs Mob" was loud all night and at the end of the game after the Rowdies won most of the Fans went to the bottom of the stadium and congratulated the team with "Lets go Rowdies" Chants while waiving around their green and Gold F.C. Tampa Bay scarfs. The players threw up some fist pumps. It was a pretty awesome sight. I'll definitely be going to another game.

6-7K for minor league soccer on a Thursday night isn't just "not bad," its insanely good when three-four years ago the Rays were drawing 11-13K for some of their midweek games. Hardcore footie fans are the best and if that regular core of fans always turn up, as long as the management doesn't horribly screw things up, the team will always be around.