2025 Tampa Bay Rowdies season

Last updated

Tampa Bay Rowdies
2025 season
Chairman Stuart Sternberg
Head coachSteve Coleman (interim)
Stadium Al Lang Stadium
USL Championship Conference: TBD
USL Cup TBD
U.S. Open Cup Round of 32
USL Cup TBD
  2024
2026  

The 2025 Tampa Bay Rowdies season is the Tampa Bay Rowdies' sixteenth season of existence, their ninth in the United Soccer League, and seventh in the USL Championship. Including the previous Tampa Bay Rowdies, this is their 32nd season of a franchise in the Tampa Bay metro area with the Rowdies moniker. Including the now-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny, this is the 37th season of professional soccer in the Tampa Bay region. [1]

Contents

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the original NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies, the club have utilized retro uniforms that take inspiration from the original team's uniforms, alongside a unique crest. [2] Co-insiding with their anniversary, the club was able to return to long-time home stadium Al Lang Stadium, having to have completed the 2024 season at IMG Academy due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene. [3] [4]

During early April, due to poor performance, the club fired second year head coach Robbie Neilson, replacing him with assistant coach Steve Coleman in the interim. [5] [6]

Club

Roster

As of June 9, 2025 [7]
Squad No.NameNationalityPosition(s)SinceDate of Birth (Age)Signed fromGames PlayedGoals Scored
Goalkeepers
24 Bill Hamid Flag of the United States.svg GK 2025November 25, 1990 (age 34) Flag of the United States.svg Miami FC 0
35Caleb Klepacz Flag of the United States.svg GK 2025May 9, 2008 (age 17) Flag of the United States.svg Tampa Bay United Rowdies SC 0
41 Ethan Bandré Flag of the United States.svg GK 2025September 14, 1998 (age 26) Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 0
Defenders
2 Robert Castellanos Flag of the United States.svg DF 2025May 11, 1998 (age 27) Flag of the United States.svg Sporting Kansas City
3 Forrest Lasso Flag of the United States.svg DF 2023May 11, 1993 (age 32) Flag of Sweden.svg GIF Sundsvall
14 Thomas Vancaeyezeele Flag of France.svg DF 2025July 27, 1994 (age 31) Flag of the United States.svg Hartford Athletic
26 Joey Skinner Flag of the United States.svg DF 2025March 28, 2003 (age 22) Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC
27 Laurence Wyke Flag of England.svg DF 2025September 20, 1996 (age 28) Flag of the United States.svg Phoenix Rising FC
33 Aarón Guillén Flag of Mexico.svg DF 2020June 23, 1993 (age 32) Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina FC
34Matheus De Jesus Flag of the United States.svg DF 2024December 16, 2005 (age 19) Flag of the United States.svg Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
Midfielders
4 Lewis Hilton Flag of England.svg MF 2020October 22, 1993 (age 31) Flag of the United States.svg Saint Louis FC
8 Ollie Bassett Ulster Banner.svg MF 2025March 6, 1998 (age 27) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Atlético Ottawa
10 Leo Fernandes Flag of Brazil.svg MF 2017December 23, 1991 (age 33) Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union
11 Blake Bodily Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024January 13, 1998 (age 27) Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Loyal
17 Daniel Crisostomo Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024January 16, 1997 (age 28) Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 2
18Nathan Worth Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024February 26, 2007 (age 18) Flag of the United States.svg FC Tulsa
20 Nick Moon Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024May 31, 1996 (age 29) Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Loyal
47 Luis Álvarez Flag of Argentina.svg MF 2025January 25, 2003 (age 22) Flag of the United States.svg Charlotte Independence
Forwards
7 Pacifique Niyongabire Flag of Burundi.svg RW 2024March 15, 2000 (age 25) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Valour FC
9 Manuel Arteaga Flag of Venezuela.svg CF 2024June 17, 1994 (age 31) Flag of the United States.svg Phoenix Rising FC
21Endri Mustali Flag of the United States.svg CF 2024June 7, 2007 (age 18) Flag of the United States.svg Tampa Bay United Rowdies SC
28 Eddie Munjoma Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg LW 2025May 11, 2001 (age 24)On loan from

Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC

36Alex Rodriguez Flag of the United States.svg CF 2025November 20, 2006 (age 18) Flag of the United States.svg Florida Premier FC

Team management and staff

Front Office
Owner Flag of the United States.svg Stuart Sternberg
Head of Soccer Operations Flag of Argentina.svg Nico Castillo
Vice President Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Helfrick
Vice chairman Flag of the United States.svg Matthew Silverman
Vice chairman Flag of the United States.svg Brian Auld
Coaching Staff
Head Coach Flag of the United States.svg Steve Coleman (interim)
Goalkeeping Coach Flag of England.svg Stuart Dobson
Assistant Coach Flag of England.svg Nicky Law
Assistant Coach Flag of England.svg Russell Stirling
Performance Coach Flag of Colombia.svg Carlos Wheeler

Competitions

Friendlies

February 19Preseason 4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3–0 Tormenta FC Tampa, Florida
1:30 PM MacPherson Soccerball shade.svg7'
Arteaga Soccerball shade.svg19'
trialist Soccerball shade.svg2nd half'
Stadium: Waters Training Facility
February 22Preseason 5 Tampa Bay Rowdies 0–0 USF Bulls Florida
7:30 PMStadium: Al Lang Stadium
February 28Preseason 6 Tampa Bay Rowdies 4–0 Naples United Tampa, Florida
5:00 PM Arteaga Soccerball shade.svg10', 37'
Bassett Soccerball shade.svg23'
Pacius Soccerball shade.svg54'
Yellow card.svg 81'Stadium: Waters Training Facility
June 11Midseason Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of the United States.svg 0–7 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Benfica Tampa, Florida
10:00 AMStadium: Waters Training Facility

USL Championship

Standings

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
8 Rhode Island FC 2261061623724 Playoffs
9 Indy Eleven 2161053340723
10 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2161232432821 [a]
11 Birmingham Legion FC 224992837921 [a]
12 Miami FC 22512522371520
Updated to match(es) played on August 30, 2025. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tampa Bay Rowdies are ahead of Birmingham Legion FC on points per game within conference: TBR 1.1, BHM 0.8

Match results

On December 19, 2024, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams. [8]

March
March 81 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas, Nevada
7:00 PM Pinzon Soccerball shade.svg74' Report Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 3,258
Referee: Brandon Stevis
March 152 FC Tulsa 1–0 Tampa Bay Rowdies Tulsa, Oklahoma
7:00 PM CDT Seagrist Soccerball shade.svg73' Report Stadium: ONEOK Field
Attendance: 3,621
March 22 3 Miami FC 1–2 Tampa Bay Rowdies Miami, Florida
7:00 pm EDT
Report
Stadium: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium
Attendance: 1,012
Referee: Alex Billeter
April
April 54 Charleston Battery 2–1 Louisville City FC Mount Pleasant, SC
Jennings Soccerball shade.svg45'+1' (pen.)
Myers Soccerball shade.svg73'
Report Pacius Soccerball shade.svg75'Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,510
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
April 125 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–2 Loudoun United FC St. Petersburg, Florida
4:30 PM EDT Pacius Soccerball shade.svg90'+4' Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 6,088
Referee: Brandon Stevis
April 196 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–2 Louisville City FC St. Petersburg, Florida
Bassett Soccerball shade.svg58' Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 6,263
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
May
May 108 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–3 Charleston Battery St. Petersburg, Florida
Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 5,273
Referee: Gerald Flores
May 179 Tampa Bay Rowdies 0–3 Rhode Island FC St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30PM
Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 4,810
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
May 2410 Lexington SC 1–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Lexington, Kentucky
Report
Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium
Attendance: 4,533
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
June
June 1412 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 Miami FC St. Petersburg, Florida
Report Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 4,717
Referee: Luis Arroyo
June 2514 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3–1 Indy Eleven St. Petersburg, Florida
9:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 3,692
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
July
July 1215 San Antonio FC 1–0 Tampa Bay Rowdies San Antonio, Texas
Report
Stadium: Toyota Field
Attendance: 5,969
Referee: Edson Carvajal
July 1616 Hartford Athletic 0–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Hartford, Connecticut
Report
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández
August
August 217 Indy Eleven 1–3 Tampa Bay Rowdies Indianapolis, IN
Report
Stadium: Carroll Stadium
Attendance: 9,107
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
August 918 North Carolina FC 2–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Cary, North Carolina
Report Hilton Soccerball shade.svg23'Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Muhammad Kaleia
August 1619 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–1 Phoenix Rising FC St. Petersburg, Florida
Arteaga Soccerball shade.svg75' Report Rizzo Soccerball shade.svg73'Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 4,547
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
August 2320 Detroit City FC 2–0 Tampa Bay Rowdies Hamtramck, MI
7:00 PM EDT
Report Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 6,686
Referee: John Matto
August 3021 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 PM
Report Ahl Soccerball shade.svg2'Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 4,375
Referee: Servando Berna Rico
September
October

USL Cup

The Rowdies are participating in the second edition of the USL Cup, the first edition to feature teams from both the USL Championship and League One. [9] [10]

Standings

PosLgTeamPldWPKWPKLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 USL1 Greenville Triumph SC 4300163+39Advance to knockout stage
2 USLC Tampa Bay Rowdies 4201186+27
3 USL1 South Georgia Tormenta FC 4201187+17
4 USLC Miami FC 411027925
5 USLC Charleston Battery 411025615
Updated to match(es) played on July 26, 2025 (2025-07-26). Source: USL

Group stage

April 26, 2025 (2025-04-26) Tampa Bay Rowdies 3–3
(3–4 p)
Miami FC St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 PM EDT Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 5,103
Referee: Benjamin Meyer
Penalties
May 31, 2025 (2025-05-31) Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 South Georgia Tormenta FC St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 PM EDT
Report
  • Vivas Soccerball shade.svg28'
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 3,789
Referee: Atahan Yaya
July 4, 2025 (2025-07-04) FC Naples 0–2 Tampa Bay Rowdies Naples, Florida
8:00 PM EDT
  • Ferrin Yellow card.svg 74'
  • Cisneros Yellow card.svg 76'
Report
Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium
Attendance: 3,472
Referee: Calin Radosav
July 26, 2025 (2025-07-26) Charleston Battery 2–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,599
Referee: Thomas Snyder

U.S. Open Cup

The Rowdies, as a member of the second division USL Championship, entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round based on its performance in the 2024 USL Championship season. [11]

April 16, 2025 FC Naples (USL1) Flag of Florida.svg 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(8–9 p)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) Flag of Florida.svg Naples, Florida
7:00 p.m. EDT
Report Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium
Attendance: 3,418
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
Penalties
May 7, 2025 Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of Florida.svg 0–5 Flag of Florida.svg Orlando City SC St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 p.m. EDT Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 3,735
Referee: Natalie Simon

References

  1. Wiser, Nanette (February 24, 2025). "Rowdies set to celebrate 50 years in St. Petersburg". TBNweekly. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  2. Carskadon, Bob (May 20, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies celebrate 50th anniversary season in St. Pete". ilovetheburg.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  3. Parker, Mark (January 24, 2025). "Rowdies anticipate return to flood-damaged Al Lang". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  4. Lewis, Kevin (April 11, 2025). "Finally! The Rowdies return to Al Lang Stadium". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  5. Burkett, Ryan (April 11, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies dismiss Head Coach Robbie Neilson". FOX 13 News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  6. DeYoung, Bill (April 11, 2025). "Rowdies dismiss head coach Robbie Neilson". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  7. "Roster". USL Championship. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  8. USLSoccer Staff (December 19, 2024). "USL Championship reveals the 2025 season schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  9. Lewis, Michael (December 12, 2024). "ANOTHER COMPETITION: USL adds Jägermeister Cup for Championship, League One teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  10. Silverman, Alex (December 12, 2024). "USL expanding Jägermeister Cup to all teams". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  11. Lewis, Michael (April 17, 2025). "ROUND OF 32 DRAW: For the U.S. Open Cup". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2025.