Al Lang

Is Tampa Bay’s best all-time soccer performer … Bill Edwards?

Published on December 16, 2016 in Sports/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

He did not grow up on the pitch. He did score any golden goals to break nil-nil ties. Before it’s all said and done, however, the finest soccer performer in Tampa Bay history might just be a smiling man named Bill Edwards. With all deference to Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst and Oscar Fabbiani, it is Edwards who is the current steward of the sport in Tampa. And it is Edwards who sees a bigger stadium, a better league and larger…

Keep Reading

Rowdies’ owner Bill Edwards envisions bigger home for team

Published on January 28, 2016 in Sports/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

Bill Edwards likes what soccer has become. He likes even better what it may grow into. On Thursday, Edwards — owner of the Rowdies — said he could imagine Al Lang Stadium growing into a facility that would seat 18,500 fans. Coupled with the just-announced 25,000 seat stadium in Orlando, it’s another example of the sports’ growth in Florida. There are now teams in St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Edwards originally was supposed to provide $1.5 million…

Keep Reading

Rowdies’ goalkeeper Matt Pickens wants to leave them frustrated

Published on June 5, 2015 in Sports/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

His favorite moment on the pitch is not in the instant he has made an incredible save. His favorite moment is not walking off with a shutout in his grasp. His favorite moment is not to silence the jeers of the opposing fans, or out-shoulder an opposing poacher, or turning a threatening shot into just another deflection. No, for Tampa Bay Rowdies’ goalkeeper Matt Pickens, the favorite moment of all is a slice of the game that comes in the…

Keep Reading

Rowdies travel to Pittsburgh to play in U.S. Open Cup

Published on May 24, 2015 in Sports/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

A busy schedule just got a little busier for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies will have to jam in a mid-week game when they travel to play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Wednesday for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open. Three days later, they travel to play against Indianapolis. If Tampa Bay could get past Pittsburgh – which beat West Virginia 3-0, costing the Rowdies a chance at hosting the game, they would be at home against D.C. United in the next…

Keep Reading

Rowdies find an extra spark in playing their old team

Published on May 14, 2015 in Sports/The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

Call it a little bit of gas for the fire. Call it an extra dose of motivation. Call it a chip on the shoulder. Call it a spur in the backside. A chance to prove yesterday wrong. For members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Saturday night’s game will be a fine opportunity to show the Strikers what they let slip away. All of this was theirs, of course. Martin Nunez and Stefan Antonijevic and Darnell King and Kamil Contofalsky and Justin…

Keep Reading

A worldwide game began here for two Rowdies

Published on May 6, 2015 in Apolitical/Sports/The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Gary Shelton

For them, it began here. On the youth fields, with cheering parents, with volunteer coaches, with a ball and a net. For them, it has ended up here, too. On better fields, with bigger crowds, with professional coaches, with a similar ball and a similar net. And if two members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies would like you to join them on their journey, well, please understand. This sport, this team, this area, all mean a lot to Brian Shriver…

Keep Reading

Monday’s mayoral wrap-up

Published on January 26, 2009 in The Bay and the 'Burg by Peter Schorsch

This past week saw an increased level of activity from almost every candidate running for Mayor. Here’s a recap with analysis. – Jamie Bennett took a hit for my volunteering on his campaign, but his campaign showed off its early organizational strength, launching a campaign website and hosting a campaign kick-off attended by just under 100 people. – Kathleen Ford is circling the race like a hungry shark in shallow waters, having resigned her membership in the organization opposed to…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

You might be interested in

You might be interested in

You might be interested in

You might be interested in

You might be interested in

You might be interested in