Rowdies filling their roster, sign two more midfielders to roster

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The Tampa Bay Rowdies have re-signed two of their midfielders to return to the team next season.

The Rowdies signed Keith Savage and Justin Chavez to their roster.

“These players are very important for us,” Rowdies’ coach Stuart Campbell said. “They understand the culture we’ve built here and have contributed greatly both on and off the field. Keith has been here for a long time and Justin is back for his third season, so we expect great things in 2017 from both experienced players.”

Savage, one of just four members of Tampa Bay’s 100 appearance club, has been with the club since the 2011 season. Savage’s three goals in 2016 elevated him to fifth place on the Rowdies’ all-time scoring chart with 15 career goals for Tampa Bay. After missing the 2015 season due to a knee injury, Savage bounced back strong in 2016, making 16 appearances, including nine starts.

Chavez returns for his third season with the Rowdies, having made 22 appearances for the Rowdies last year. 2016 featured Chavez’s first professional goal, scored on September 3, as well as two assists as he asserted himself in his natural position as a holding midfielder.

The Rowdies start their 2017 season in March.

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