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In this installment of Get to Know the Rowdies, we feature veteran defender Takuya Yamada, who is in his third season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Takuya is the longest tenured member of the Rowdies, having played in 60 matches for the team over the last three seasons. He has started all seven matches in 2012 and is one of just four Rowdies to play all 630 minutes thus far. Takuya scored the game-winning goal in the home openers in both 2011 and 2012.

An iconic Japanese player known as one of the best utility players produced by his country, Takuya served as team captain for Tokyo Verdy for three years and helped lead the team to the 2005 J. League Xerox Super Cup. He also has four caps with the Japanese National Team between 2003 and 2004, including the 2004 Asian Cup in Beijing, where Japan defeated China 3-1.


Nickname
Yama

Favorite sport outside of soccer
Rugby

Do you have any traditions or superstitions?
Stepping on the pitch with my right foot first

Most interesting quirk
I’m not aware of it myself

Growing up what soccer team did you support?
Holland’s National Team

Favorite athlete outside of soccer
Takashi Uchiyama (Boxing)

Do you play soccer to honor anyone?
Japanese people

Someone that you have met through soccer who you would consider an inspiration
Tatsuya Moriyama (The Mods) - He inspires me

Top three favorite movies
The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, NAUSICAA of the Valley of the Wind

Three words to describe you
Humble, Kind, Stoic

Favorite Vacation Spot
The Florida Keys

Something you want your fans to know that they may not know yet
They may not know that I’m going to be 38 in August

Who is your hero?
Grandfather and Father because they are (were) very wonderful.

Choose One:
Gatorade or Powerade: Gatorade
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Cats or Dogs: Dogs
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla