News

After an off day on Sunday following Saturday night’s 3-0 shutout over Eckerd College, the Rowdies returned to Shimberg Fields for a two-hour practice Monday morning.

“It was a good session this morning,” said Rowdies defender and captain Frankie Sanfilippo. “We just got our legs back and did a little technical work. We had a nice performance on Saturday night against Eckerd and we just want to build on that.”

Sanfilippo said he is excited for the remainder of the Rowdies Rush Preseason Tour, which features Wednesday and Saturday contests in each of the next three weeks prior to the 2012 season opener at Puerto Rico on Saturday, April 7.

“I like this schedule a lot,” said Sanfilippo. “This is great because we play full matches twice a week to get ready for the opener, get to know each other on the field and have an opportunity to improve with each preseason game.”

The Rowdies will head inside Monday afternoon for some strength and conditioning work at Lifestyles Family Fitness, one of the team’s official partners.

“There is a still a lot of work to be done and a lot of decisions to be made,” said Rowdies head coach Ricky Hill. “I forewarned the players when they came back that it would be quite hard because we will still be training as well as playing several matches during the preseason.”

Rowdies midfielder Stuart Campbell and his family arrived in the United States this past weekend and Campbell stopped by practice Monday morning. He will be available to start training after he undergoes a physical exam with Rowdies team doctors.

“I am looking forward to having Stuart here,” said Hill. “We welcome him and his family to Tampa Bay, and I know he will be able to help us on and off the field.”

The Rowdies Rush Preseason Tour continues this Wednesday, March 14 as the Rowdies take on the University of Tampa. The exhibition match will take place at the Walter Fuller Complex in St. Petersburg at 7:30 p.m. and will be hosted by the Azalea Youth Soccer League. The address to the Walter Fuller Complex is 2800 75th St N in St Petersburg (33710). Admission is free.

Tickets for the 2012 Rowdies season are on sale now. Call the ticket office at 813-287-1539 for more information or email tickets@rowdiessoccer.com.