Rowdies Zach Steinberger stands against discriminatory law proposal

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State House is convening on Tuesday to pass a bill which would ban transgender women and girls from playing in teams in college and high school sports. That has seen Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Zach Steinberger stand up for the rights of these women.

The bill, HB-1475, will ban all athletes that were born male but have reassigned to female to fit their gender identity from competing in female sports. The same does not apply for transgender men and boys, those who were born female but identify as male. The act is called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”

While Steinberger recognized that he cannot personally identify with the experience of these women, as a cis straight male, he did use his platform to speak out.

“No matter what you identify as, no matter what or how you’re born it’s something that should be a safe and free environment. And to try and take that away from somebody is, that’s dismantling to me. That is so un-American.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Zach Steinberger

The Republicans are spinning this as being about fairness in women’s sport, which unravels when we look at how much the Republican led state spends on women’s sport. Dan Mullen, the head coach of the Florida Gators football team rakes in a $6 million annual salary. By comparison the highest paid women’s coach at the government-funded university, Cameron Newbauer the women’s basketball head coach takes home $283,250 per year. There are no budgetary adjustments to promote “fairness” it is purely excluding transgender women from sports.

Apart from the name Republicans are attempting to make this a scientific argument despite fighting cities that brought in mask mandates during a pandemic and fighting against climate change. As a result Rep. Chris Latvala has been the man selling the bill for the party, as he has consistently stood up for science despite the rhetoric of the rest of his colleagues.

“Boys and men are faster and stronger than women. That’s just genetics and that’s just science. We’re not targeting the LGBT community and we’re not targeting the trans community. We’re just, in my mind, we’re protecting women’s access to sports.”

Rep. Chris Latvala

While the bill cannot effect professional sport, thus not impacting Orlando Pride, it can impact High School sports as that’s managed by the state, and college sports as it is state funded. As a result the NCAA spoke up stating that inclusion is an important value for the college sports and issuing a threat.

“When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected. We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.”

NCAA Statement

The bill is essentially a response to President Joe Biden issuing an executive order to protect Transgender athletes. Democrats in the house have responded by filing 19 amendments to weaken the impact, including Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith asking to add a provision allowing students to sue the school for denying athletic opportunity. That may be covered under Title IX anyway, especially with the federal government now recognizing transgender people as their gender identity and not their birth sex.

It is unclear how this will go in the state senate but Governor Ron De Santis has made it clear he would sign the bill if it came to his desk.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies fall heavily to Montreal

ST. PETERSBURG – A first half onslaught from CF Montreal took the match away from the Tampa Bay Rowdies as the visitors powered to a 5-1 win at Al Lang Stadium on Sunday night.

The match was delayed by over an hour due to the severe weather that unleashed in the Tampa Bay region but the match eventually got started and Montreal wasted no time in getting the rout going.

Djordje Mihailovic opened the scoring 10 minutes into the match and two minutes later it was doubled through Romell Quioto. The third came through controversial circumstances when Zach Brault-Guillard collided with Evan Louro in the 40th minute and the ball dribbled into the net. The Rowdies players protested arguing that their goalkeeper had possession but the referee disagreed and allowed the goal to stand.

Right on the stroke of half-time Mihailovic capitalized on a counter-attack and finished his brace and the Canadian’s fourth.

The second half was a different story, the Rowdies started strongly, only to crack again in the 64th minute to an Amar Sejdic goal. That would be the last good news for CF Montreal as they went down to 10 men following a headbutt on Aaron Guillen.

Tampa Bay got a consolation goal in the 89th minute when a free-kick swung in by Lewis Hilton found Steevan Dos Santos who headed it home for the final 5-1 scoreline.

There was some odd drama in the match when one of the assistant referees went down with an injury. Rowdies Performance Coach Pete Calabrese stepped in to fulfil that role to conclude the match.

Stoppage time goal sees Pride split points with Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Orlando Pride had the lead but gave it up in stoppage time in its opening match of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup settling for a 2-2 draw with NWSL expansion side Racing Louisville FC.

It took Louisville just 12 minutes to score its first competitive goal when Emily Fox’s through-ball found Cece Kizer. Kizer took a touch to control and then sent it into the back of the net.

Right before half-time Orlando scored its first challenge cup goal. Meggie Dougherty Howard received ball from Marisa Viggiano. Standing on the right side of the box she floated it over the defense to find Taylor Kornieck who scored her first professional goal.

Two minutes from time Dougherty Howard was the provider again as she sent the ball for Abi Kim, allowing her to lift it over the keeper for another first professional goal.

Just when it all seemed like the Pride was going to seal its first Challenge Cup win, the clock in stoppage time, Louisville popped up with a late equalizer. Savannah McCaskill’s free kick wasn’t dealt with well, allowing Freja Olofsson to get a touch, keeping it alive, allowing Brooke Hendrix to pounce and slam home to take the point.

“We’ll take a result, we always knew we were going to fight against the crowd as well as the team that we were going to play against. We showed real quality at moments, and it will increase and get better as we go throughout the games. I’m really pleased with how the players came from behind, showed the resilience that we’re trying to work on them for. We’re disappointed to give a goal away at the end.”

Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner

In truth the equalizer was no less than Louisville deserved, it was an even match, with few chances, while Orlando could have made a case for the win, Louisville would certainly have felt aggrieved if that was how it played out.

There will be a quick turn around for the Pride, which has its first home match of the tournament on Wednesday against NY/NJ Gotham FC.

Tampa Bay United and Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy announce partnership

TAMPA – The Soccer Institute at Motverde Academy (SIMA) and Tampa Bay United have agreed to a strategic partnership the clubs announced on Friday.

The two organizations will be coordinating to share best practices and then provide competitive opportunities, which will be a new addition for SIMA especially.

SIMA’s program is essentially preparing athletes for college soccer while TBU is a competitive and recreational program that is partnered with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The partnership will allow SIMA more areas to recruit from while United will be able to secure more players for the USL League Two side in the collegiate break over summer.

“Anyone around the game during the last decade in Florida is well versed regarding the quality and standards of Mike Potempa’s SIMA players and the program he has built, “said TBU Sporting Director, Anthony Latronica. “Working closely with SIMA will raise the level of our players, coaches and staff, while providing more opportunities for performance-based development.”

The two organizations are hoping that this will expand their respective reach, and combining strategically and on practices will allow for improved coaching in both organizations. That is something that will be the biggest key to if this deal is successful for anything beyond the clout of an expanded scouting network.

“We are fully committed to developing individual players within a team environment through the structure of our training and matches. Alongside SIMA’s staff and players, we will continue to teach our methodology and principles of play from the grassroots level through our college and professional bound players,” said TBU Boys Technical Director, BJ Johnson.

SIMA’s track record of developing talent, and Tampa Bay United’s higher opportunities for competitive play as part of MLS Next and USL League Two will combine to grow both organizations in the coming years.

Photo: SIMA

Daryl Dike making waves on loan spell

BARNSLEY, England, United Kingdom – Orlando City SC striker Daryl Dike may have played his last match for the Lions as he attracts interest from European clubs while away on loan to Barnsley.

Dike has starred for Barnsley in the English Championship where he is currently on loan in the offseason from Orlando. Since joining the Yorkshire club he has managed seven goals in 13 appearances and won the club’s player and goal of the month awards in March.

It could have been very different for Dike, he only got a United Kingdom work permit thanks to one international appearance. He made that appearance as a substitute in the 65th minute, just one day before making his move to Barnsley.

Daryl Dike Goal: November 8 2020: Orlando City SC v Nashville SC

With such an impressive return for the formerly struggling Championship side the Lions player has attracted interest from other clubs. That will lead to a hefty pay-off for Orlando, his loan deal is rumored to have a buy-out clause of $20 million and a 20 percent sell-on fee. That would be a very good return on the player that was drafted at a surprisingly low fifth place in the 2020 MLS Super Draft. He’s currently rated at $6.54 million by TransferMarkt.

The Lions have already turned down an offer that was considered too low, receiving a $10 million bid from one of England’s biggest clubs. Rumors abound that the club could have been one of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, or Tottenham. Dike is a lifelong fan of Chelsea so will be hoping that a stronger bid comes in from the Blues.

With his star role for the Reds, Dike has improved his standing in world soccer and will likely be a key part of Greg Berhalter’s attempt to get the USA Men’s side back to the World Cup in 2022.

Photo courtesy Orlando City SC

Rowdies earn two nationally broadcasted matches

TAMPA – The United Soccer League released the 2021 national broadcast schedule on Wednesday featuring 19 matches, the most in league history. The Tampa Bay Rowdies  have two matches as part of that schedule.

A blockbuster match will be the Rowdies first match on television when there is a do-over of what would have been the 2020 USL Championship Final. The Rowdies will host Phoenix Rising FC at Al Lang Stadium on May 15th with the match televised on ESPN2.

It will be a long wait for Tampa Bay before getting a match on national television with the other match coming on October 7th. That will again be a home match and could be vital in the fate of the Atlantic Division. The Rowdies will play Charleston Battery live on ESPN Deportes.

Florida’s other USL Championship team, Miami FC, will also manage some face time on the ESPN networks. Miami’s home match against Birmingham Legion FC on June 23rd being aired live on ESPN Deportes. That will be the team’s only televised match of the season.

The USL Championship Final will be also be live on ESPN networks, which will give the two Floridian teams one more chance to be on national television. That match will either be on ESPN or ESPN 2 on November 28th.

Every other match in the USL Championship will be aired on ESPN+ regardless of if it is being aired on a local broadcast. This season will see 19 matches televised on ESPN including the first time a USL League One match makes national television.

Photo: United Soccer Leagues

Tampa Bay Rowdies charitable arm receives donation ahead of WrestleMania

TAMPA – With WrestleMania coming to Raymond James Stadium this weekend World Wrestling Entertainment has sought to do good for the community. With that in mind they have provided the Tampa Bay Rowdies with $3,700 for the Replay Tampa Bay drive.

The initiative will see the Rowdies get money to provide aspiring young soccer players in the region with equipment to play and train so that they may one day become Rowdies.

WWE’s drive was kicked off by Tampa native Titus O’Neil who has been a tireless supporter of the Tampa Bay community, most commonly under his non-stage name leading to less attention for his work. His work stems from arts, to community projects and of course sports.

This isn’t his first time combining with a Tampa Bay sports team to help the kids of the region. In 2019 he teamed with the Buccaneers to fill backpacks with supplies for 15,000 local kids. He also earned recognition from the Lightning as part of their Community Hero system.

“Our footprint in this community would definitely not be as large without having our sports organizations,” O’Neil said at the launch. “They continuously answer the call day in and day out, year in and year out, to make sure they put smiles on kids faces, to help families become more self-sufficient and provide opportunities that last a lifetime.”

All four Tampa Bay championship winning sports teams received the same grant from WWE pushing Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s goal of using these events to promote sports participation.

CF Montreal leaves for Florida

MONTREAL – With COVID-19 restrictions still in place in Canada which won’t allow the Canadian Major League Soccer Teams to play in their home country CF Montreal has set up to begin the MLS season in Florida and left on Tuesday afternoon.

Prior to departing the team, or those that weren’t away on international duty, had a training session at the team’s Montreal base before boarding a flight for Florida after lunch. The team arrived in Florida in time for an early dinner. The players that have been away on international duty will be joining up with the team in Florida.

For some players this will be the first time they are linking up with the squad, some because of international duty before their transfer and others because of the quarantine requirements in Quebec, a number of players will have to complete quarantine in Florida due to where they are traveling from due to USA’s restrictions.

The Quebecois will be able to shake off the flight quickly as they take on South Georgia Tormenta in Orlando on Thursday morning. On Sunday the side will make the trip across to St. Petersburg and take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies, looking to get back some respect after the 2-1 loss last year.

CF Montreal will then move down to Fort Lauderdale where they will be sharing the facilities of Inter Miami CF for the opening of the 2021 MLS season. Toronto FC will also be coming to Florida, basing themselves out of Orlando but potentially playing some matches out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Photo courtesy CF Montreal

Houston Dash respond to Orlando Pride space kit

HOUSTON – The National Women’s Soccer League has its very own space race as Houston Dash responded to Orlando Pride’s space kit with one of their own.

The Houston side was offended when Orlando tried to bill itself as “space city” and responded with its own space kit. The timing means that the kit was obviously already designed when the Pride Ad Astra kit dropped.

This space inspired kit is the Dash away kit and called the “Love Ya Dash” kit honor’s Houston’s culture and especially focuses on NASA’s contribution to Houston. Space is in the “space city blue” a similar color to NASA’s blue along with using “love ya Dash” in the NASA type face. Another nod to space is in the quasar shapes featured heavily in the jersey.

A kit providing tribute to Houston happened for the first time in 2019 when the Dash honored the former Houston Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans, a football team the city still has in high regard. Along with that team’s iconic home stadium, the Astrodome.

Marta models the Orlando Pride space kit (Photo: Orlando Pride)

“The city of Houston has a legacy of innovation that our club strives to emulate and celebrate,” said Club Creative Director Juan Loya. “NASA’s pioneering leadership in space exploration and research serve as an inspiration for our team, and we hope to pay homage to that history and future achievements with these jerseys.”

The first kit was given to NASA Chief of Exploration Mission Planning Office Nujoud Merancy who has been a season ticket holder since the first season of the club. It’s especially fitting because the jersey is white, inspired by the moon where Merancy is going to return humanity.

Hopefully when Houston and Orlando meet in the NWSL regular season the two teams will wear the jerseys against each other.

Photo courtesy Houston Dash

Both Orlando teams fail to win in latest friendlies

ORLANDO – Orlando City came from behind to manage a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire at Exploria Stadium and Orlando Pride was upset by Florida State at Sylvan Lake Park 2-1 in a pair of matches on Saturday.

The men had to twice come from behind, falling behind to a screamer in the first half from Przemyslaw Frankowski whose powerful shot left the keeper with no chance. Just before the break City was level thanks to a goal from Chris Mueller.

Luka Stojanovic made it two when a cross from Frankowski did just enough to find the Serbian to put Chicago 2-1 up. But the Lions continued to fight and got the equalizer with Alexandre Pato continuing his good form by setting up Michel, playing his first minutes of the season, for the goal.

A Florida derby will be the next match for Orlando City as they take on Inter Miami on Tuesday.

The Pride’s loss to the Seminoles was a big shock with a strong starting line-up and an earlier win against the college side. Despite that it took only three minutes for Florida State to open the scoring.

The women scored their only goal of the match at the end of the first half thanks to a rocket of a free-kick from Taylor Kornieck. Unfortunately that didn’t hold up as FSU scored the winner in the 77th minute.

Orlando Pride will play Racing Louisville in the opening match of the NWSL Challenge Cup next week.

In the other match involving a Florida team on Saturday the Tampa Bay Rowdies also couldn’t manage a win, falling to a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

Photo: Orlando Pride

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