The Rowdies ask: how’s your bracket?

Posted Mar 25, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Mar 25, 2010 at 01:22 AM

While the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies were out competing last Friday night against the Philadelphia Union, a competition of a different kind was their focus on their days off last Saturday and Sunday as they, like a large portion of America, were keeping a keen eye on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

About half of the squad filled out the customary brackets, with bragging rights on the line more than the minimal financial winnings the champion will take away.

“It’s cool, it’s good to see guys like (Jeremy) Christie playing even though he doesn’t know much about it,” chief bracketologist Gordon Kljestan said. Kljestan leads after the opening weekend with 44 points, with Aaron King one point behind.

The biggest thing, though, is the camaraderie that comes from engaging in an activity of this sort. With only Julian Valentin (Wake Forest) being part of the current squad that had a rooting interest in the tournament, the University of Maryland’s Scott Buete still being with the MISL’s Baltimore Blast, the players were more intent on cheering on the team’s they had picked against one another, celebrating victories and commiserating over defeats.

“It just brings everyone closer together,” Kljestan said.