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The Basics
Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour

Preseason match: Tampa Bay Rowdies at University of South Florida

Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Location: USF Corbett Soccer Stadium (11899 Bull Run Dr. Tampa, FL 33620)

Admission: Tickets in advance are $5 via www.ticketmaster.com and $7 general admission day of the game. Seatback chairs are $8 in advance, $10 day of the game.

Pre-Game Kids Clinic: There will be a youth clinic prior to the game from 6-7 p.m., featuring former Tampa Bay Rowdies as well as USF coaches and players. $10 general admission ticket and pre-game clinic for kids ages 7-13. To purchase in advance call 813-974-8937.

Roster
The Rowdies will have 17 signed players available for Saturday’s match, as well as eight trialists.

Last Time Out
The Rowdies’ scheduled match last Wednesday against UCF was cancelled due to inclement weather. In their previous matchup, the Rowdies visited Florida Gulf Coast University for their third match of the Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour last Saturday afternoon and came away with a 1-0 victory at the FGCU Soccer Complex in Fort Myers.  The lone goal was scored by midfielder Keith Savage and the shutout by goalkeeper Jeff Attinella preserved the Rowdies’ unbeaten record in preseason play.

Scouting USF
The Bulls are coming off an impressive season, as they enjoyed a 13-4-4 record and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament, under the leadership of head coach George Kiefer. Kiefer enters his 11th year at the helm.

On the field, USF is led by its captain, Leston Paul, who finished second on the team in 2011 with four goals and nine points and was named All-Big East third team. Midfielder Wesley Charpie and defender Brenton Griffiths both played in all 20 games for the Bulls in 2011.  Charpie made the Big East All-Freshmen Team after a season in which he led the Bulls in assists (6), while Griffiths was named to the All-Big East Third Team.

Last Meeting
The Rowdies defeated the USF Bulls 3-0 on April 3, 2011 in their final match of the 2011 preseason. Keith Savage led the Rowdies with a goal and an assist, and Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella posted the shutout in his first match against his alma mater.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
“We are well aware of the amazing run USF had in last season’s NCAA Tournament, and know that we will be facing one of the top college teams in the country. Coach Kiefer has had an enormous amount of success during his time at USF and our players know it will be a challenge on Saturday night. The gameday atmosphere on their campus is top-notch and we are looking forward to it.”

Up Next
The Rowdies Preseason Rush continues this Wednesday, March 28th, as Tampa Bay faces Saint Leo University at 7:00 p.m., presented by United World Soccer. The game will be played at the Countryside Sportsplex in Clearwater. This will be the last collegiate team that the Rowdies will face in the 2012 Rowdies Rush Preseason Tour. The address of the complex is 3060 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL 33761.

Admission is $2 per person for adults and children.