Big-time soccer — well, USA Olympic soccer — returns to Tampa’s great facility today through the weekend with eight teams, including that of the USA, to be among the two who go forward to further competition ahead.  Another elimination series of eight is being played concurrently in California for two more spots in the next test at Nashville.

Got no idea why Nashville is the final soccer spot for the USA before Beijing.

Wes McLeod, former Tampa
Bay Rowdies soccer player

Here the tournament reminds us of the rich soccer history of Tampa. Reminds us of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, of Eddie Firmani, John Boyle, of George Strawbridge, Beau Rogers, Mike Connell, Rodney Marsh, Arsene Auguste, Alex Pringle, Cornelia Corbett, Wes McLeod, Winston DuBose, and of how the world soccer guys in Europe gave our earned spot in the World Cup because of Disney World.

The return of soccer reminds us of all that and of its start here by Philadelphia contractor Tom McCloskey with an exhibition game by his Atoms against somebody. I was amazed that more than 5,000 showed up, me included, at old Tampa Stadium. But, we were all surprised later when the National Football League first awarded the franchise that became the Buccaneers to McCloskey, but reneged when a divorce figured in a big financial setback. The NFL then awarded Tampa Bay to the late Hugh Culverhouse over a score of others, including Edward DeBartolo, Sr., and Harry Mangurian.

McCloskey gave up on the Tampa soccer future, but, two other Philadelphians did not — promoter Beau Rogers and wealthy sportsman George Strawbridge. They bought a North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise and brought it to Tampa for the 1975 season. Strawbridge told me the minute the NFL chose Tampa in 1974 he told Rogers he was right, move in. They did. Hired Charles Serednesky to run it and Francisco Marcos to make it work with publicity. Both hired a public relations firm and soon came the resourceful nickname, the great songs, colors and other lively works that contributed to the team’s great popularity and success. 

They won championships, developed a key rivalry with the New York Cosmos that drew 60,000 to Giants Stadium, and a houseful here. Some said the crowd at a game against the Russians here drew 60,000. Marsh and Steve Wegerle, Connell and others became genuine superstars here. Some are still here. Some attended a birthday party for former owner Dick Corbett.

Strawbridge owned the Rowdies during their grand years, but sold them to his good friends, the Corbetts, now owners of plenty, including the successful International Plaza. The Corbetts owned the Rowdies for a good while, but soccer was never again as it was in the 1980s. Bob Blanchard and friends kept the franchise going until the league failed.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies did not fail, their league did, as it was with the old Tampa Bay Bandits. The Bandits did not fail, either, the old American Football League did. Rats.

There is a comeback in pro soccer, but nothing approaching the good days of yore, despite the turncoating on Tampa in favor of Orlando/Disney for the World Cup, the Rowdie days and nights were good ones hereabouts. 

So, the sport of the of the world returns to a familiar place this week, but the players will be younger and not so tested, not so polished and the music will not say, Oh, the Rowdies, a Kick in the Grass!

But, Cuba vs. the USA , that ought to be a good enough match to draw.

Three other questions aside from the outcome of this game, are not athletic, but awaited … the size of the walkup crowd, the number of fans parking on the roadsides, and the number of Cubans who defect.