Rowdies to honor former player and coach Van Der Beck

Posted Sep 15, 2010 by Jarrett Guthrie

Updated Sep 15, 2010 at 01:58 PM

TAMPA - FC Tampa Bay Rowdies have announced a ceremony and the planned retirement of the No. 12 jersey of Perry Van Der Beck at the last regular season match Oct. 1, at Steinbrenner Field against Crystal Palace Baltimore.

Van Der Beck, a midfielder, was the first American player drafted out of high school by the Rowdies of the North American Soccer League in 1978. While with the Rowdies from 1978-1982, Van Der Beck made 73 appearances before playing six seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Dallas Sidekicks, St. Louis Steamers and Wichita Wings.

Van Der Beck returned to the Rowdies in 1991 and played 58 more matches. He earned 23 caps and scored two goals with the U.S. National team from 1979-1985 and was also the captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, the 1985 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year and an assistant and head coach for the Tampa Bay Mutiny in Major League Soccer.

Van Der Beck currently serves as executive vice president, technical director and director of player development for the Rowdies.