2025 Tampa Bay Rowdies season

Tampa Bay Rowdies
2025 season
Chairman	Stuart Sternberg
Head coach	Steve Coleman (interim)
Stadium	Al Lang Stadium
USL Championship	Conference: TBD
USL Cup	TBD
U.S. Open Cup	Round of 32
USL Cup	TBD

The 2025 Tampa Bay Rowdies season is the Tampa Bay Rowdies' sixteenth season of existence, their ninth in the United Soccer League, and seventh in the USL Championship. Including the previous Tampa Bay Rowdies, this is their 32nd season of a franchise in the Tampa Bay metro area with the Rowdies moniker. Including the now-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny, this is the 37th season of professional soccer in the Tampa Bay region.^[1]

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the original NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies, the club have utilized retro uniforms that take inspiration from the original team's uniforms, alongside a unique crest.^[2] Co-insiding with their anniversary, the club was able to return to long-time home stadium Al Lang Stadium, having to have completed the 2024 season at IMG Academy due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.^[3]^[4]

During early April, due to poor performance, the club fired second year head coach Robbie Neilson, replacing him with assistant coach Steve Coleman in the interim.^[5]^[6]

Club

Roster

As of June 9, 2025^[7]

Squad No.	Name	Position(s)	Since	Date of Birth (Age)	Signed from	Goals Scored
Goalkeepers
1	Dante Campisi	GK	2025	(1996-10-29) October 29, 1996	Unión de Santa Fe	0
35	Caleb Klepacz	GK	2025	(2008-05-09) May 9, 2008	Tampa Bay United Rowdies SC	0
41	Ethan Bandré	GK	2025	(1998-09-14) September 14, 1998	Colorado Rapids	0
Defenders
2	Robert Castellanos	DF	2025	(1998-05-11) May 11, 1998	Sporting Kansas City
3	Forrest Lasso	DF	2023	(1993-05-11) May 11, 1993	GIF Sundsvall
14	Thomas Vancaeyezeele	DF	2025	(1994-07-27) July 27, 1994	Hartford Athletic
26	Joey Skinner	DF	2025	(2003-03-28) March 28, 2003	Nashville SC
27	Laurence Wyke	DF	2025	(1996-09-20) September 20, 1996	Phoenix Rising FC
33	Aarón Guillén	DF	2020	(1993-06-23) June 23, 1993	North Carolina FC
34	Matheus De Jesus	DF	2024	(2005-12-16) December 16, 2005	Tampa Bay Rowdies U23
Midfielders
4	Lewis Hilton	MF	2020	(1993-10-22) October 22, 1993	Saint Louis FC
8	Ollie Bassett	MF	2025	(1998-03-06) March 6, 1998	Atlético Ottawa
10	Leo Fernandes	MF	2017	(1991-12-23) December 23, 1991	Philadelphia Union
11	Blake Bodily	MF	2024	(1998-01-13) January 13, 1998	San Diego Loyal
17	Daniel Crisostomo	MF	2024	(1997-01-16) January 16, 1997	Los Angeles FC 2
18	Nathan Worth	MF	2024	(2007-02-26) February 26, 2007	FC Tulsa
20	Nick Moon	MF	2024	(1996-05-31) May 31, 1996	San Diego Loyal
47	Luis Álvarez	MF	2025	(2003-01-25) January 25, 2003	Charlotte Independence
Forwards
7	Pacifique Niyongabire	RW	2024	(2000-03-15) March 15, 2000	Valour FC
9	Manuel Arteaga	CF	2024	(1994-06-17) June 17, 1994	Phoenix Rising FC
21	Endri Mustali	CF	2024	(2007-06-07) June 7, 2007	Tampa Bay United Rowdies SC
28	Eddie Munjoma	LW	2025	(2001-05-11) May 11, 2001	On loan from Nashville SC
36	Alex Rodriguez	CF	2025	(2006-11-20) November 20, 2006	Florida Premier FC

Team management and staff

Front Office
Owner	Stuart Sternberg
Head of Soccer Operations	Nico Castillo
Vice President	Ryan Helfrick
Vice chairman	Matthew Silverman
Vice chairman	Brian Auld

Coaching Staff
Head Coach	Steve Coleman (interim)
Goalkeeping Coach	Stuart Dobson
Assistant Coach	Nicky Law
Assistant Coach	Russell Stirling
Performance Coach	Carlos Wheeler

Competitions

Friendlies

February 8 Preseason 1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	6—2	Philadelphia Union II	Clearwater, Florida
1:00 PM	Bassett MacPherson Arteaga Pacius , Fernandes	Report

February 11 Preseason 2	Tampa Bay Rowdies	0—1	New England Revolution	Bradenton, Florida
12:00 PM			Panayotou 10'	Stadium: IMG Academy

February 15 Preseason 3	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1—3	CF Montréal	Auburndale, Florida
6:00 PM	Pacius 66'		Vilsaint 29', 54' Ibrahim 67'	Stadium: Lake Myrtle Sports Complex

February 19 Preseason 4	Tampa Bay Rowdies	3–0	Tormenta FC	Tampa, Florida
1:30 PM	MacPherson 7' Arteaga 19' trialist 2nd half'			Stadium: Waters Training Facility

February 22 Preseason 5	Tampa Bay Rowdies	0–0	USF Bulls	Florida
7:30 PM				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

February 28 Preseason 6	Tampa Bay Rowdies	4–0	Naples United	Tampa, Florida
5:00 PM	Arteaga 10', 37' Bassett 23' Pacius 54'		81'	Stadium: Waters Training Facility

June 11 Midseason	Tampa Bay Rowdies	0–7	Benfica	Tampa, Florida
10:00 AM				Stadium: Waters Training Facility

USL Championship

Standings

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
8	Rhode Island FC	20	5	9	6	15	20	−5	21	Playoffs
9	Indy Eleven	19	5	9	5	29	35	−6	20^[a]
10	Miami FC	20	5	10	5	19	31	−12	20^[a]
11	Birmingham Legion FC	20	4	9	7	23	32	−9	19
12	Tampa Bay Rowdies	19	5	11	3	22	29	−7	18

Updated to match(es) played on August 16, 2025. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:

^ ^a ^b Indy Eleven are ahead of Miami FC on head-to-head points. IND 3−0 MIA

Match results

On December 19, 2024, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.^[8]

March

March 8 1	Las Vegas Lights FC	1–0	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Las Vegas, Nevada
7:00 PM	Pinzon 74'	Report		Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 3,258 Referee: Brandon Stevis

March 15 2	FC Tulsa	1–0	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Tulsa, Oklahoma
7:00 PM CDT	Seagrist 73'	Report		Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 3,621

March 22 3	Miami FC	1–2	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Miami, Florida
7:00 pm EDT	Bonfiglio 2' Verón 51' Blanco 56' Mercado 73' 90+3' Celeste 87'	Report	Pacius 31' Crisostomo 45+2' 76' Bodily 64' Bassett 67' Arteaga 90+3'	Stadium: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Alex Billeter

April

April 5 4	Charleston Battery	2–1	Louisville City FC	Mount Pleasant, SC
	Jennings 45'+1' (pen.) Myers 73'	Report	Pacius 75'	Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 3,510 Referee: Joshua Encarnación

April 12 5	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1–2	Loudoun United FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
4:30 PM EDT	Pacius 90'+4'	Report	Aboukoura 69' (pen.) Leggett 85'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 6,088 Referee: Brandon Stevis

April 19 6	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1–2	Louisville City FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
	Bassett 58'	Report	Davila 69' Gleadle 74'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 6,263 Referee: Elijio Arreguin

May

May 3 7	Tampa Bay Rowdies	2–2	Birmingham Legion FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
	Fernandes 26' (pen.) Niyongabire 90+3' Lasso 90+6'	Report	Martínez 70' Trejo 76' Tabortetaka 90+5'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 4,504 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye

May 10 8	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1–3	Charleston Battery	St. Petersburg, Florida
	Pacius 77'	Report	Jennings 7' (pen.) Myers 19', 28'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,273 Referee: Gerald Flores

May 17 9	Tampa Bay Rowdies	0–3	Rhode Island FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30PM	Lasso 19' Wyke 21' 78'	Report	Holstad 45+5' Herivaux 73' 90' Fuson 87' Shapiro-Thompson 90+1'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 4,810 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

May 24 10	Lexington SC	1–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Lexington, Kentucky
	Ajago 31' Greene 35' Burks 71'	Report	Arteaga 62'	Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 4,533 Referee: Matthew Corrigan

June

June 7 11	Louisville City FC	2–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Louisville, Kentucky
	Goodrum 7' Serrano 16'	Report	Pacius 31'	Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,147 Referee: Trevor Wiseman

June 14 12	Tampa Bay Rowdies	2–1	Miami FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
	Guillen 74' Arteaga 90'+2'	Report	Bonfiglio 42'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 4,717 Referee: Luis Arroyo

June 21 13	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	2–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
	Vancaeyezeele 15' (o.g.) Williams 20'	Report	Arteaga 40'	Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 5,028 Referee: Natalie Simon

June 25 14	Tampa Bay Rowdies	3–1	Indy Eleven	St. Petersburg, Florida
9:00 PM EST	Arteaga 54' Guillén 55' Bodily 60' Moon 69' Wyke 90+3' Pacius 90+5'	Report	Kizza 43' Foster 45+1', 66' Rendón 45+4' Hogan 68' Lindley 82'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 3,692 Referee: Jeremy Scheer

July

July 12 15	San Antonio FC	1–0	Tampa Bay Rowdies	San Antonio, Texas
	Berrón 43' Haakenson 90+5'	Report	Forrest Lasso 29' 67' Wyke 51' Guillén 83'	Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 5,969 Referee: Edson Carvajal

July 16 16	Hartford Athletic	0–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Hartford, Connecticut
		Report	Vancaeyezeele 24' Fernandes 55' Pacius 83' Wyke 90+1' Hilton 90+3'	Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández

August

August 2 17	Indy Eleven	1–3	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Indianapolis, IN
	Ofeimu 44'	Report	Pacius 12' Alvarez 57' Skinner 90+8'	Stadium: Carroll Stadium Attendance: 9,107 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye

August 9 18	North Carolina FC	2–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Cary, North Carolina
	Conway 39' Pérez 45'+6' (pen.)	Report	Hilton 23'	Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Muhammad Kaleia

August 16 19	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1–1	Phoenix Rising FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
	Arteaga 75'	Report	Rizzo 73'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 4,547 Referee: Muhammad Hassan

August 23 20	Detroit City FC	v	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Hamtramck, Michigan
				Stadium: Keyworth Stadium

August 30 21	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

September

September 6 22	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Sacramento Republic FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

September 13 23	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

September 17 24	Birmingham Legion FC	v	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Birmingham, Alabama
7:00 PM				Stadium: Protective Stadium

September 20 25	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	North Carolina FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

September 28 26	Loudoun United FC	v	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Leesburg, Virginia
				Stadium: Segra Field

October

October 4 27	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Monterey Bay FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

October 11 28	Rhode Island FC	v	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Pawtucket, Rhode Island
				Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium

October 18 29	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Hartford Athletic	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

October 25 30	Tampa Bay Rowdies	v	Detroit City FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
				Stadium: Al Lang Stadium

USL Cup

The Rowdies are participating in the second edition of the USL Cup, the first edition to feature teams from both the USL Championship and League One.^[9]^[10]

Standings

Pos	Lg	Team	Pld	W	PKW	PKL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	USL1	Greenville Triumph SC	4	3	0	0	1	6	3	+3	9	Advance to knockout stage
2	USLC	Tampa Bay Rowdies	4	2	0	1	1	8	6	+2	7
3	USL1	South Georgia Tormenta FC	4	2	0	1	1	8	7	+1	7
4	USLC	Miami FC	4	1	1	0	2	7	9	−2	5
5	USLC	Charleston Battery	4	1	1	0	2	5	6	−1	5

Updated to match(es) played on July 26, 2025. Source: USL

Group stage

April 26, 2025 (2025-04-26)	Tampa Bay Rowdies	3–3 (3–4 p)	Miami FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 PM EDT	Pacius 8' Castellanos 28' Arteaga 32'	Report	Blanco 57' (pen.) Zárate 60' Melano 77'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,103 Referee: Benjamin Meyer
	Penalties
	Bassett Arteaga Fernandes Crisostomo Mustali Worth		Akinyode Lawrence Gavilanes Celeste Cardona Hoyos

May 31, 2025 (2025-05-31)	Tampa Bay Rowdies	2–1	South Georgia Tormenta FC	St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 PM EDT	Pacius 79' Bassett 90+4'	Report	Vivas 28'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 3,789 Referee: Atahan Yaya

July 4, 2025 (2025-07-04)	FC Naples	0–2	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Naples, Florida
8:00 PM EDT	Ferrin 74' Cisneros 76'	Report	Vancaeyezeele 26' Pacius 38' Arteaga 60' Lasso 61' Wyke 90+3'	Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium Attendance: 3,472 Referee: Calin Radosav

July 26, 2025 (2025-07-26)	Charleston Battery	2–1	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT	Ycaza 39' Castellanos og' (45+4) Myers 71'	Report	Bodily 40' Hilton 45+1' Crisostomo 63' Skinner 90+1'	Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 3,599 Referee: Thomas Snyder

U.S. Open Cup

The Rowdies, as a member of the second division USL Championship, entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round based on its performance in the 2024 USL Championship season.^[11]

April 16, 2025	FC Naples (USL1)	1–1 (a.e.t.) (8–9 p)	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC)	Naples, Florida
7:00 p.m. EDT	Prpa 27'	Report	Niyongabire 26'	Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium Attendance: 3,418 Referee: Muhammad Hassan
	Penalties
	Henderlong Onen Dengler Heckenberg Cerro Pasnik Evans Torrellas Fernandes Cisneros		Bassett Fernandes MacPherson Crisotomo Pacius Mustali Castellanos Skinner Vancaeyezeele Lasso

May 7, 2025	Tampa Bay Rowdies	0–5	Orlando City SC	St. Petersburg, Florida
7:30 p.m. EDT		Report	Caraballo 34', 36' Enrique 42' McGuire 59' Þórhallsson 90'	Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 3,735 Referee: Natalie Simon

References

^ Wiser, Nanette (February 24, 2025). "Rowdies set to celebrate 50 years in St. Petersburg". TBNweekly. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ Carskadon, Bob (May 20, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies celebrate 50th anniversary season in St. Pete". ilovetheburg.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ Parker, Mark (January 24, 2025). "Rowdies anticipate return to flood-damaged Al Lang". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ Lewis, Kevin (April 11, 2025). "Finally! The Rowdies return to Al Lang Stadium". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ Burkett, Ryan (April 11, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies dismiss Head Coach Robbie Neilson". FOX 13 News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ DeYoung, Bill (April 11, 2025). "Rowdies dismiss head coach Robbie Neilson". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ "Roster". USL Championship. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ USLSoccer Staff (December 19, 2024). "USL Championship reveals the 2025 season schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
^ Lewis, Michael (December 12, 2024). "ANOTHER COMPETITION: USL adds Jägermeister Cup for Championship, League One teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
^ Silverman, Alex (December 12, 2024). "USL expanding Jägermeister Cup to all teams". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
^ Lewis, Michael (April 17, 2025). "ROUND OF 32 DRAW: For the U.S. Open Cup". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2025.

[table_hth_IND0.87641903333199-8] Indy Eleven are ahead of Miami FC on head-to-head points. IND 3−0 MIA

[1] Wiser, Nanette (February 24, 2025). "Rowdies set to celebrate 50 years in St. Petersburg". TBNweekly. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[2] Carskadon, Bob (May 20, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies celebrate 50th anniversary season in St. Pete". ilovetheburg.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[3] Parker, Mark (January 24, 2025). "Rowdies anticipate return to flood-damaged Al Lang". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[4] Lewis, Kevin (April 11, 2025). "Finally! The Rowdies return to Al Lang Stadium". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[5] Burkett, Ryan (April 11, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rowdies dismiss Head Coach Robbie Neilson". FOX 13 News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[6] DeYoung, Bill (April 11, 2025). "Rowdies dismiss head coach Robbie Neilson". St Pete Catalyst. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[7] "Roster". USL Championship. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[9] USLSoccer Staff (December 19, 2024). "USL Championship reveals the 2025 season schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved January 19, 2025.

[10] Lewis, Michael (December 12, 2024). "ANOTHER COMPETITION: USL adds Jägermeister Cup for Championship, League One teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.

[11] Silverman, Alex (December 12, 2024). "USL expanding Jägermeister Cup to all teams". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.

[12] Lewis, Michael (April 17, 2025). "ROUND OF 32 DRAW: For the U.S. Open Cup". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2025.

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FC Tampa Bay / Tampa Bay Rowdies seasons
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