The Houston Force were an American soccer club. In 1994, the club was originally called the Puerto Rico Islanders , but were forced to move by FIFA before playing any games. They instead played in Houston, Texas , where the Force only played one game before folding.
43-665: The team had only three players with any significant professional experience, David Vaudreuil, Chris Charles and Eloy Salgado. Vaudreuil and Charles had both played with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1993 and Salgado had played in MISL. The team hired experienced manager Hernan "Chico" Borja as head coach. The Force played the Los Angeles Salsa on July 14, 1994, in Houston's Joe Kelly Butler Stadium. The Salsa handled
86-440: A ceremony held before the final home game of the 1989 regular season , Steve Wegerle became the first Tampa Bay Rowdies player to have his number retired by the team. That night he assisted on all three Rowdies' goals in a 3–0 victory over arch-rival Fort Lauderdale. He went on to appear in several home matches during the 1990 season as well. While Mike Connell 's and Perry Van der Beck 's numbers have since been retired by
129-601: A full indoor season in 1982–83, but (in addition to a few friendlies) Tampa Bay and three other teams participated in the Grand Prix of Indoor Soccer . The Rowdies finished second in the round-robin stage and subsequently went on to defeat Montreal for the championship in a double overtime thriller at the Montreal Forum ; 5–4. The final NASL indoor season took place in 1983–84 and the Rowdies finished last out of
172-607: A match which drew 77,691 fans, a record for a non-exhibition domestic league soccer game. In the return leg played in Fort Lauderdale, the Strikers lost 3–2 in an overtime shootout. Finishing the 1978 season in third place with a record of sixteen wins and fourteen losses, the Strikers made it to the third round of the playoffs, losing the Conference Championship to the Tampa Bay Rowdies . The team
215-475: A newsletter. The "Wowdies" were the Rowdies' cheerleaders. The team also had a pep band known as the "Loudies" that sat in the south endzone and attended local pep rallies. The NASL folded in 1984, but the Rowdies continued to play for several more years. Tampa Stadium continued to be used as their home ground for outdoor games except during the 1991 and 1992 seasons in the APSL. Those two years were spent at
258-751: A professional soccer team based in the Miami metropolitan area . They competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1977 to 1983. They played their home matches at Lockhart Stadium . Founded in 1967 as the Washington Darts , the team relocated to Florida in 1972. They were known as the Miami Gatos (1972) and the Miami Toros (1973–1976) before moving to nearby Fort Lauderdale . In addition to their time in
301-573: The 1982 North American Soccer League season with an identical eighteen wins and fourteen losses from the previous season which won them the Southern Division title with another decline in attendance of 12,345 average attendance. After defeating the Montreal Manic in the first round of the playoffs, the Strikers failed to qualify for Soccer Bowl '82 when they lost the semifinals to Seattle Sounders . After two seasons, Krautzun
344-750: The 1983 outdoor season and the team recorded their first losing record in an outdoor NASL season with fourteen wins and sixteen losses. Finishing second in the Southern Division, the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Tulsa Roughnecks . Following the conclusion of the 1983 outdoor season season long rumors that the team was looking to move were confirmed when General Manager Tim Robbie met with officials in Minneapolis On November 30, 1983, team owner Elizabeth Robbie, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich , and NASL president Howard Samuels officially announced
387-586: The Calgary Boomers and Minnesota Kicks in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Strikers lost in the Semifinals to the Cosmos. The day after the Strikers were eliminated from contention for Soccer Bowl '81 , the North American Soccer League announced that the team would not participate in the upcoming 1981–82 NASL Indoor season , but would return for 1982 outdoor season. The Strikers ended
430-539: The Chicago Sting , losing both games without scoring a goal. The day before the second game, it was announced that the team had relieved Ron Newman as head coach and offered him a job in the team management. After Newman declined the front office position, the Strikers hired Bob Lemieux who had been working as an executive for the Detroit Red Wings as the team's General Manager. In December 1979,
473-528: The Coca-Cola Classic International Soccer Series , which culminated with a Fourth of July match, and also included a post-game fireworks display and laser light show. Since Tampa Bay had only a handful of players under contract at the time, their roster was composed mostly of guest players from Queens Park Rangers F.C. The only NASL-era Rowdies on this roster were Roy Wegerle , Steve Wegerle , Dave Power , and
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#1732783198462516-618: The Cow Palace . The Rowdies again reached the final-four in 1976 , but that year were the host team. This time Tampa Bay would not be denied, as they followed up a 6–2 semi-final win over Dallas with a 6–4 finals triumph over the Rochester Lancers on March 27 in the Bayfront Center . Over the next few years, the Rowdies (and a handful of other NASL teams) played indoor friendlies and invitationals as preparation for
559-487: The Houston Hurricane during the 1980 season, was named head coach for the 1981 Outdoor season. The 1981 season saw the team's first decline in average attendance since it had moved to Fort Lauderdale with 13,345 fans per game seeing them finish second in the Southern Division with a record of eighteen wins and fourteen losses, rather than the 14,360 who attended each game during the 1980 season. After defeating
602-716: The Orlando Lions , on May 16 at the Florida Citrus Bowl , and then again on May 23 at Pepin-Rood Stadium . The Rowdies lost the first encounter, 2–0, with the teams tying, 2–2, in the return leg. The Rowdies played one season of indoor soccer in the American Indoor Soccer Association , once again using the Bayfront Center as their home. After a strong start they finished third in their division and eventually lost in
645-897: The Tampa Bay Professional Soccer Club announced that they would henceforth be known as the Tampa Bay Rowdies . The Rowdies played ten seasons at Tampa Stadium and won their only Soccer Bowl championship in their 1975 inaugural season , defeating the Portland Timbers 2–0 on August 24. The Rowdies also finished as runners-up in 1978 and 1979 . The team showcased international stars such as midfielder, and team captain Rodney Marsh (England), 1979 league scoring leader Óscar Fabbiani (Chile), swift and forward Steve Wegerle (South Africa), rock-solid defenseman Arsene Auguste (Haiti), 1976 NASL goal scoring champion Derek Smethurst (South Africa), who
688-472: The USF Soccer Stadium , before returning to Tampa Stadium in 1993 for the team's final season in existence. With Rodney Marsh staying on as coach (through 1987), the Rowdies operated as an independent team for two years before joining the American Indoor Soccer Association for one season (1986–87). Cornelia Corbett, Dick Corbett's wife and a businesswoman in her own right, became sole owner of
731-487: The current franchise , Wegerle's #7 continues to be reissued each season. As part of a name-the-team contest, on November 21, 1974, the franchise announced that the name Tampa Bay Rowdies had been selected. Out of nearly 12,500 entries it was Clearwater attorney, Bill Wilhelm's suggestion that won. That suggestion earned Wilhelm a vacation to Acapulco for his efforts, along with a lifetime pass to all home games. The Rowdies' fans were known as "Fannies". Advertisements for
774-755: The Eastern Division, behind the Tampa Bay Rowdies again. The Strikers advanced to Soccer Bowl '80 against the New York Cosmos after defeating the California Surf , Edmonton Drillers , and San Diego Sockers in the first three rounds of the playoffs. On September 21, 1980, at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC the Strikers lost to the Cosmos 3–0. In mid October, Lemieux was fired from his position as General Manager with Tim Robbie, son of owners Joe and Elizabeth Robbie, taking over
817-670: The Force easily, winning 3-0, in front of an official attendance of 1,400 fans (estimated to be lower). Seven days later, the APSL executive board revoked the team's league membership based on financial issues. This article about a soccer club from Texas is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Houston -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975%E2%80%9393) The Tampa Bay Rowdies were an American professional soccer team based in Tampa, Florida , that competed in
860-714: The NASL outdoor league, the Strikers also played two indoor seasons while in Fort Lauderdale, at the West Palm Beach Auditorium for the 1979–80 season and the Hollywood Sportatorium for the 1980–81 season . After the 1983 season, the Strikers moved to Minneapolis and became the Minnesota Strikers . Among their players during its time in Fort Lauderdale were football legends George Best and Gerd Müller . Founded in 1963 as
903-406: The Rowdies were the last surviving NASL franchise that played outdoor soccer on a regular basis. On June 19, 1974 George Strawbridge and Beau Rogers, IV purchased an expansion franchise in North American Soccer League for the sum of $ 25,000 and by July 24 they named Eddie Firmani their coach. In October 1974, Alex Pringle becomes the first player to sign with the team. On November 21, 1974,
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#1732783198462946-401: The Strikers announced that Cor van der Hart had been hired as head coach. During the 1980 NASL Season there were several reports of arguments between van der Hart and the players as well as publicity referencing a drinking problem, both issues led to difficulties with the head office. Finishing with a record of eighteen wins and fourteen loses, the team ended the season in second place of
989-558: The Tampa Stadium goal. The club gave "Soccer Head" complimentary tickets to future games so that he could continue his antics for the crowd, even bringing him along when the Rowdies played in Soccer Bowl '79 . While anyone who supported the club could call themselves a Fanny, members of the official Rowdies Fan Club particularly claimed the moniker as their own. The fan club held regular meetings and social events and published
1032-778: The Year Rookie of the Year North American Player of the Year FIFA World Cup players All-Star first team selections All-Star second team selections All-Star honorable mentions Indoor All-Stars U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame members Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame members Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame members Other National Halls of Fame *Excludes friendlies. ^Cup includes playoff games and mini-games. *due to Connell injury *Excludes friendlies and indoor matches. ^Includes playoff games. In
1075-504: The amateur club Washington Britannica and eventually rebranding as the Washington Darts , the team joined the North American Soccer League in 1970 after playing three seasons in the American Soccer League and winning two consecutive ASL championships. After the 1970 season, the team was sold to John Bilotta , former part owner of the Rochester Lancers , and Arthur Bant a hotel owner, who relocated and rebranded as
1118-422: The club declared that "Soccer is a kick in the grass" and encouraged their supporters to "Get up, get out, and get Rowdy!" and to "make a fanny of yourself!". The calls were answered by fans who threw confetti , drank beer, chanted during games, and generally "let the guys know we're behind them." One memorable fan named Bob Rogers won a "Rowdiest Fan" contest by donning a giant soccer head and throwing himself into
1161-673: The first meeting in what was to become one of the most enduring rivalries in North American soccer, the Fort Lauderdale–Tampa Bay rivalry . The Strikers won their debut match 2–1 at Lockhart Stadium against the St. Louis Stars on April 10, 1977. They finished the 1977 season in first place of the Eastern Division American Conference with a record of nineteen wins and seven losses, tying
1204-627: The first round of the playoffs. Steve Wegerle was selected as a starter in the AISA All-Star game and scored the game's first goal. Arnie Mausser , Rubén Astigarraga , and Glenn Ervine also made the Southern Division team. Ervine added a goal in the fourth quarter. Tim Walters was a late All-Star addition, because Astigarraga was unable play in the match. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977%E2%80%931983) West Palm Beach Auditorium (indoor 1979–80) West Palm Beach, Florida The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were
1247-519: The following year two more surpassed the 50,000 mark. The Rowdies had long-standing rivalries with both the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and the New York Cosmos . Following the 1981 season the Dallas Tornado merged with Tampa Bay. At the time, Dallas principals Lamar Hunt and Bill McNutt retained a minority stake in the Rowdies. Two years later after the 1983 season, Strawbidge, Hunt and McNutt sold
1290-492: The head coach, Rodney Marsh . Four former Rowdies played in the final game of this series for the opposing NASL All-Stars. These included Mike Connell , Winston DuBose , Wes McLeod and Tatu . They also played a pair of friendlies against the newly established Orlando Lions on February 22 and July 2 at Lake Brantley High School , using their regular players. Tampa Bay won the matches by scores of 1–0 and 2–1 (SO) respectively. In 1987 Tampa Bay played twice against
1333-598: The league record for most wins in a season. The team drew an average 8,148 fans for the season, a 165% increase over the team's last season as the Toros, and head coach Ron Newman , who had been hired before the team announced its move to Fort Lauderdale, was named NASL coach of the year. In the first match of the Division Championship, the Strikers lost to the Pelé led New York Cosmos 8–3 at Giants Stadium in
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1376-637: The original North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1984. They enjoyed broad popular support in the Tampa Bay area until the NASL folded in 1984, after which the team played in various minor indoor and outdoor leagues before finally folding on January 31, 1994. The Rowdies played nearly all of their outdoor home games at Tampa Stadium and nearly all of their indoor games at the Bayfront Center Arena in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida . Although San Diego played indoors until 1996,
1419-523: The position. Then in late December 1980 with the team 0–6 in the 1980–81 NASL Indoor season and after having announced just after the Soccer Bowl that he would return as head coach for the following outdoor season, van der Hart was fired. Team spokesman stated "personal issues" and "team morale" as the primary reason and that Assistant Bill Nuttall was named caretaker for the reminder of the indoor campaign. German Eckhard Krautzun who had coached
1462-539: The preseason Rowdies Cup , which celebrates the city's rich soccer history. To date the NCAA Division II Spartans have only captured the trophy once, back in 2012. As an independent club, the Rowdies played only one match in 1985. It was against the U.S. Men's team on the Fourth of July in front of 30,038 fans. In the summer of 1986 the Rowdies staged a four-game series at Tampa Stadium called
1505-872: The seven teams. Due to scheduling issues that season, the Rowdies played five games at the Bayfront Center, eight at the State Fairgrounds' Expo Hall in Tampa, and three in the Lakeland Civic Center . Tampa Bay regularly drew home crowds of over five thousand "fannies" to the Bayfront Center, despite the arena's limited seating capacity and relatively remote location. *playoff game NASL Indoor championships (3) Regular Season Premiership (1) Division titles (6) Conference Titles (3) Regional Titles (2) League scoring champion League goal scoring champion Indoor Grand Prix Assists Leader Finals MVP Regionals MVP Coach of
1548-546: The start of the outdoor season. The NASL did not sanction a full indoor season until 1979–80 , when the Rowdies won the championship by defeating the Memphis Rogues 2 games to 1. The 1980–81 campaign marked the first time Tampa Bay had ever missed the playoffs, indoor or outdoor. In the 1981–82 season they lost the finals to the San Diego Sockers 2 games to 0. Once again the NASL chose not to sanction
1591-526: The team as the Miami Gatos . After one season, the team was sold to a group of 25 local business leaders including Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie and his wife Elizabeth and renamed the Toros . In December 1976 and after five seasons in Miami, the team announced it was moving to Fort Lauderdale . The team played its first game, an indoor friendly , on February 27, 1977, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies ,
1634-693: The team in 1986. As a footnote, in 2011 the University of South Florida opened the new Corbett Soccer Stadium for their NCAA Division I men's and women's teams, after the Corbetts had made a $ 1.5 million donation to the project. The stadium features several display cases that highlight the history of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Since 2005, the USF Bulls and the crosstown rival University of Tampa Spartans men's squads have competed annually for
1677-407: The team outright to local investors Stella Thayer , Bob Blanchard and Dick Corbett. *playoff game In the winter of 1975 , the NASL ran a two-tiered, 16 team indoor tournament with four regional winners meeting in a "final-four" style championship. The Rowdies defeated the New York Cosmos 13–5 in the semi-final, before losing 8–5 to the host San Jose Earthquakes in the finals on March 16 at
1720-432: The three different NASL titles available at the time ( Soccer Bowl '75 , 1976 Indoor Title , 1976 Regular Season title ) in succession within twelve months. On and off the pitch, the Rowdies would prove to be one of the league's most recognizable brands. At one three-year point in their history, the team regularly drew crowds of well over 25,000 a night. In 1979 three different matches were attended by over 40,000 people, and
1763-417: Was also the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 57 tallies in 65 games, as well as forward Clyde Best (Bermuda). Coached along the way by Firmani, John Boyle , Gordon Jago , Al Miller , and Marsh after his retirement, their catch phrase and marketing slogan was "The Rowdies arrrre...a kick in the grass!" While no NASL team ever captured a treble , in 1975–76 Tampa Bay came the closest by winning
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1806-427: Was fired as head coach with former Striker player and head coach of the recently folded Georgia Generals David Chadwick rumored to be interested in the position. His hiring was confirmed a week later. In addition to compiling a record of one win and seven losses in the 1983 NASL Grand Prix of Indoor Soccer , the Strikers played two indoor friendlies during the offseason. The team's attendance continued decline in
1849-408: Was one of four to participate in the 1979 NASL Budweiser Indoor Soccer Invitational , losing both games the played The 1979 North American Soccer League season ended with the Strikers in second place of the Eastern Division behind the Rowdies with a record of seventeen wins, thirteen losses and averaging 13,774 attendance per game. The Strikers were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by
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