News

All year long, we will be bringing you up close to members of the Rowdies.

In this installment, we feature forward Daniel Antoniuk, who is in his first season with Tampa Bay.

Antoniuk is tied for first on the team and tied for sixth in the league in goals with six this season. He is second on the team in points with 15, and has played in all 20 games with six starts.

Antoniuk attended Wheaton College, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1999-2002. He holds the school record for career goals (54) and points (144) and was a 1999 NCAA Division III Third Team All American.

Throughout his long professional career, Antoniuk has seen action for several teams, including the Montreal Impact, Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Charleston Battery and FC Edmonton. He led the league in both points and assists in 2007, helping the Silverbacks to the championship game and was chosen as a first-team all-league selection.

Antoniuk played for FC Edmonton in 2011, posting three goals and two assists in 21 matches. He began his professional career with the Portland Timbers in 2003 and notched 13 goals in 24 games for the Timbers in 2005.

Nickname:
Dizzy

Do you have any gameday superstitions or traditions?
Big breakfast, light lunch, walking around Ross and buying something to make me feel good.

What is your typical pre-match meal?
Chicken Sandwich

What has been your most memorable soccer moment thus far?
Scoring a hat trick in my high school final and winning the championship.

Growing up, what soccer team did you support?
Brazil

What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?
The day in and day out competition, I love it.

Who is your all-time favorite soccer player?
Pele, I got to meet him and talk to him for a few minutes. It was an awesome experience.

Who is your favorite athlete outside of soccer?
Michael Jordan

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?
NFL Football

What is your favorite sporting event to watch?
The World Cup

What is the best event (sports or other) you have ever seen live in person?
The Roots in Concert

List your top three favorite movies:
The Fugitive, The Usual Suspects, Goodfellas

When was the most disappointed you have ever been and why?
Losing in the NCAA Tournament in college.

What is the toughest thing you have overcome in your life?
My mom passing away.

What is your favorite meal?
Rice, beans, some kind of meat and a sauce.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Brazil

Is there one destination that you’ve never been but have always wanted to visit?
Barcelona

Do you have any siblings?
Five older brothers and one older sister

What do you like doing in your free time?
Going to the beach.

Who is your hero and why?
My mom and dad because they raised seven kids, all through college.

If you had to pick three words to describe you, what would they be?
Energetic, Positive, and Determined

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
My mom and my family all together. Dinners were a huge part of my family while growing up and they were absolutely fun!

Is there a sentimental or defining moment in your life that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us?
When I was offered my first professional contract. It was such an amazing feeling!

Do you play soccer to honor anyone in your life?
My family helped me tremendously throughout my life, and when I see "Antoniuk" on my jersey, I feel honored.