Do clothes make the contender?
The Tampa Bay Rowdies showed off a new alternate kit Friday night in preparation for next Saturday’s season opener against the Indy 11. More than 1,000 fans showed up to be introduced to the team — with nine newcomers — at the Mahaffey Theatre.
The Rowdies played an interesting preseason, being shut out three times by MLS teams (two losses and a draw). But Tampa Bay swept two college teams and went 1-0-2 in a trip to England.
The team announced defender Tamika Mkandawire as its captain.
The Rowdies hope that last year’s scoring woes are over after adding Tom Heinemann and Danny Mwanga. Frank Sanfilippo returns as a defender, and Freddy Adu will have a full season in midfield.
Stuart Campbell returns as coach.
Saturday’s game is at 7:30 p.m.