ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November, 4, 2021) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies are entering into futsal with the announcement today that the club will participate in the United Futsal Champions Cup Series. The Rowdies will compete in the Eastern Conference Finals, which is set to be played December 18-20 at the Greensboro Coliseum Convention Center in Greensboro, NC.
Two teams will wear the Rowdies’ Green and Gold colors at the tournament, a boys’ team and a girls’ team competing in the 2007/2008 age division. The rosters for both teams will be made up of players selected by invitation only.
“It is clear that the Rowdies have a vision and want to meet a certain standard in this new adventure,” said Rob Andrews, President of United Futsal. “They see the growth that futsal offers, leading them to make the decision to be a part of the Champions Cup Series. We are excited to see how the top talent from the Rowdies’ network stacks up against the world’s best futsal teams.”
The Rowdies have been following the rapid growth of futsal in the U.S. and view the potential addition of the game to the club’s youth network initiatives as an opportunity to expand engagement with young players throughout the region. Through futsal, players can learn fundamental skills of soccer in a fun, competitive and organized environment.
“We are excited to bring this program to the community and grow the game of futsal in Tampa Bay,” said Rowdies Youth Development Coordinator Samantha Ishee.
Full details on the Champions Cup Series™ competition calendar, program details and information for clubs wishing to apply for membership are now available at www.unitedfutsal.com.
ABOUT TAMPA BAY ROWDIES:
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a professional soccer club and a member of the USL Championship, beginning with the 2017 season. The Rowdies’ home stadium is Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rowdies were reborn in 2010 and quickly reestablished themselves as one of the United States’ premier soccer clubs, winning the North American Soccer League’s Soccer Bowl Champions in 2012. The original Rowdies were born in 1975 as an expansion team in the first NASL. From 1975-1984, the Rowdies were one of the most successful teams in the NASL, winning the Soccer Bowl Championship in 1975 and reaching the final again in 1978 and 1979.
ABOUT UNITED FUTSAL:
UNITED FUTSAL is the industry leader in providing the highest level tournaments and events for youth and amateur futsal players in the world. Since 2010, over 100,000 athletes, coaches, fans and referees representing 25 countries have participated in its World Futsal Cup, World Futsal Championships and Futures™ programs and precursory events. For more information unitedfutsal.com.