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

In this installment, we feature midfielder Keith Savage, who is in his second season with the Rowdies.

Keith has played in all 11 matches in 2012 and ranks sixth on the team with 867 minutes played. He is tied for the team lead with two assists and his four points ranks third on the squad. Last season, Keith played in 26 games with 24 starts for a total of 2,066 minutes. He was second on team with two game-winning goals on the year.

Keith began his soccer tenure at the University of West Florida (UWF), where he was named a NSCAA All-American in 2006. During his four seasons, he scored 33 goals, which is the fourth-highest in UWF school history.

Keith was drafted in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA (43rd overall) as their only pick in the draft and later signed with the Portland Timbers (now in Major League Soccer) in USL-1. Savage also played for the Central Florida Kraze from 2006-2007, making 22 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

While with the Timbers, Savage appeared in 40 matches, scoring three goals and recording three assists. During the 2009 season, he was one of only two players to appear in all 30 regular season matches. Savage was also a part of the squad which set a league record with a 24-game unbeaten streak during the 2009 regular season and also won the 2009 Commissioner’s Cup.


Typical pre-match meal
Love to have a peanut butter banana waffle. Sometimes it is hard to do on the road

Favorite thing about playing soccer
Having the pitch as my office

Growing up what soccer team did you support?
Manchester United

All-time favorite soccer player
Zinedine Zidane, but slowly becoming Lionel Messi

Favorite athlete outside of soccer
Roger Federer

Favorite sporting event to watch
The Masters

Do you play soccer to honor anyone?
My owners, coaches, teammates, family and most importantly for God

Someone that you have met through soccer who you would consider an inspiration
Chris Klein for his willingness to motivate me even though he played for our biggest rival LA Galaxy. And also for his Faith throughout his career.

Top three favorite movies
Silence of the Lambs, Die Hard, White Men Can’t Jump

Three words to describe you
Dedicated, Friendly, Passionate

Favorite Vacation Spot
The Florida Keys

Most memorable moment in your life thus far
Seeing my beautiful wife walk down the aisle

Something you want your fans to know that they may not know yet
That we brag about them to everyone we talk to about the Rowdies

Who is your hero?
My Dad - For his humbleness and his love to take care of his family and others

Choose One:
Chicken, Steak or Seafood: Seafood
Country, Rock or Rap music: Rock
Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Gatorade or Powerade: Gatorade
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Cats or Dogs: Dogs
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate