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In this installment of Get to Know the Rowdies, we feature forward Mike Ambersley, who is in his second season with Tampa Bay.

Mike has started all 10 league games in 2012 and is second on the team with six points on two goals and two assists. Last season, Mike was named to the NASL Best XI and ranked tied for third in the league with a team-high 11 goals. He was also ranked third in the NASL and first on the team with seven assists. Mike was named NASL Player of the Month for August 2011. He played in 27 games with 25 starts for a total of 2,275 minutes in 2011.

Mike began his soccer career at Indiana University where he played from 2001-2005. He was named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year in 2001 and Team MVP in 2005, as well as being named to the Soccer America All-Freshmen team. He was also a key part of the 2002 and 2003 NCAA Division I National Championships, which Indiana won both years. During his college tenure, Mike was part of the United States U-20 National Team and Chicago Fire Premier in USL PDL.

Mike was drafted in 2006 by FC Dallas in the fourth round and later joined the Rochester Rhinos for the 2006 and 2007 seasons, playing in 32 matches total, scoring two goals and one assist. He re-joined the Rhinos in 2009, after sitting out the 2008 season with the Atlanta Silverbacks due to injury.

Mike is a St. Louis native who played for AC St. Louis during the 2010 season. While with St. Louis, Mike received top honors, including USSF D-2 Player of the Month in July and A.C. St. Louis Offensive Player of the Year. He ended the 2010 season ranked sixth in USSF D-2 for goals scored with 11.


Most memorable soccer moment thus far
Winning a National Championship at Indiana

Growing up what soccer team did you support?
Manchester United

All-time favorite soccer player
Ronaldo (Brazil)

Favorite sport outside of soccer
Hockey and Baseball

Do you have any gameday superstitions or traditions?
I always go for a light jog and stretch in the morning

Top three favorite movies
Miracle, Moneyball, and Snatch

Who is your hero?
My Dad

Favorite Place in the world
St. Louis, Missouri

Three words to describe you
Patient, selfless, personable

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Scrabble, Tiger Woods Golf and Fantasy Football

Someone you have met through soccer who you would consider an inspiration
Jerry Yeagley. He was the best coach I’ve played for and he’s a better person than he is a coach

Do you play soccer to honor anyone?
My family and friends