1981–82 Tampa Bay Rowdies indoor season
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1981–82 indoor soccer season
The 1981–82 Tampa Bay Rowdies indoor season was the eighth indoor season of the club's existence.
Overview
As in previous years, all home games were played at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Florida . Tampa Bay entered their eighth indoor season looking for redemption, after the 1980–81 indoor team was the first in club history to miss the playoffs.[ 1] [ 2] The club had several noteworthy changes occur in the lead-up to the 1981–82 indoor campaign.
Just as the team's 1981 outdoor playoff run was ending the Rowdies announced a partnership with Brazilian giants São Paulo FC . The agreement would allow the Rowdies to sign up to three loan players during São Paulo’s off season, as well as allowing Tampa Bay’s young players to train with the Brazilian club’s reserve squad.[ 3]
Less than two weeks later on September 16, a press conference was held announcing that the Dallas Tornado were merging with Tampa Bay. The Dallas owners would become minority owners of the Florida club. For their part, the Rowdies gained the number one overall pick in the upcoming amateur draft, and their choice of players from the Dallas roster. Ultimately they added four, and sold the rest to various NASL , ASL , and MISL
clubs.[ 4]
Just prior to the start of the indoor season Mike Connell was named team captain. He had served as acting captain since May, after Jan van der Veen was traded to California during the 1981 outdoor season.[ 5] Two noteworthy young players made their Rowdie debuts in December at the beginning of the indoor season. Hugo Pérez , a future U.S. Hall of Famer , who had just turned 18 a few weeks earlier, scored five goals in his first two indoor matches.[ 6] Not to be outdone, a 19-year-old São Paulo loaner, nicknamed Tatu , scored a hattrick to kick off what would become a legendary 21-year indoor career.[ 7]
For the team as a whole the 18-game regular season got of to a slow 1–3 start. Things began to pick up after Tatu’s arrival on match-day five. The Rowdies made it into the playoffs in large part by winning seven of their last nine matches. They were edged out for the division title by Chicago on the last day of the regular season, in an overtime thriller in front of a then-record indoor crowd of 19,938 at Chicago Stadium .[ 8]
Tampa Bay ended the regular season with an 11–7 record and placed second in the Central Division, qualifying them for the playoffs. Rookie sensation Tatu led the club with 21 goals, while Zequinha was the team’s points and assists leader with 60 and 22 respectively.[ 9]
In the playoffs, after exciting first and second round series wins against Montreal and Tulsa .[ 10] [ 11] the Rowdies returned to the finals. The indoor finals were a passing of the torch from the Rowdies to the San Diego Sockers . Tampa Bay had been arguably the most successful NASL indoor team up to that point, but in the finals the Rowdies were swept by San Diego in convincing fashion. In doing so, the Sockers would start a dominant, decade-long run, winning titles in 10 of the next 11 NASL indoor and MISL seasons they participated in.
Shortly after the playoffs the Rowdies learned that they had placed three players on the 1981–82 all-star team first squad,[ 12] and one more on the second team.[ 13]
Club
Roster
# on injured reserve all season
Management and technical staff
George W. Strawbridge, Jr. , owner
Chas Serednesky, Jr., president
Francisco Marcos, director of player personal
Gordon Jago , head coach
Kevin Keelan , assistant coach
Ken Shields, trainer
Alfredo Beronda, equipment manager
Dr. Andrew Boyer, team physician
Honors
Individual honors
Four Rowdies received individual honors following the 1981–82 NASL indoor season.[ 12] [ 13]
Atlantic Conference All-Star, First Team : Tatu
Atlantic Conference All-Star, First Team : Mike Connell
Atlantic Conference All-Star, First Team : Jürgen Stars
Atlantic Conference All-Star, Second Team : John Gorman
Preseason friendlies
Tampa Bay played one preseason exhibition match on December 2 against the Jacksonville Tea Men , winning, 9–2.[ 14]
Preseason results
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
"Ref."
December 2, 1981
Jacksonville Tea Men
H
9–2
closed-door
Peter Roe (2), Pérez (2), Roberts, Olivera, Gorman, Gruber, Zequinha
[ 14]
Regular season
Final division standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, GB = Games behind 1st place, % = Winning percentage, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Atlantic Conference • Central Division
W
L
GB
%
GF
GA
Chicago Sting
12
6
–
.667
139
117
Tampa Bay Rowdies
11
7
1
.611
121
113
Tulsa Roughnecks
10
8
2
.556
128
103
Results
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
"Ref."
December 5, 1981
Montreal Manic
H
8–5
5,545
Roberts (2), Zequinha(2), Pérez (2), Peter Roe, Pesa
[ 15]
December 11, 1981
Tulsa Roughnecks
A
6–5
5,531
Perez (3), Zequinha, Pesa
[ 16]
December 13, 1981
Toronto Blizzard
A
9–3
5,325
Pesa (3)
[ 17]
December 17, 1981
Tulsa Roughnecks
A
5–4
4,681
Kozić , Peter Roe, Pérez, Zequinha
[ 18]
December 19, 1981
Jacksonville Tea Men
H
8–6
4,918
Tatu (3), McLeod (2), Peter Roe, Gorman, Zequinha
[ 7]
December 23, 1981
Chicago Sting
H
10–8
5,081
Zequinha (2), Peter Roe (2), Pesa (2), Roberts, Moore, Tatu, Gorman
[ 19]
December 26, 1981
Chicago Sting
A
8–6
11,606
Tatu (3), Zequinha (2), Pérez
[ 20]
January 2, 1982
Tulsa Roughnecks
H
5–4
5,545
Pesa (2), Tatu (2), Gorman
[ 21]
January 5, 1982
Jacksonville Tea Men
A
4–2
6,526
Tatu (2)
[ 22]
January 10, 1982
Toronto Blizzard
A
2–4
3,492
McLeod (2), Pesa, Peter Roe
[ 23]
January 15, 1982
Montreal Manic
A
6–5
6,730
Gorman, Gruber, Zequinha, Pesa, Tatu
[ 24]
January 20, 1982
Chicago Sting
H
10–9(OT )
5,214
McLeod (3), Tatu (2), Moore, Pesa, Pérez, Gruber, Peter Roe
[ 25]
January 23, 1982
Tulsa Roughnecks
A
8–9
5,383
Zequinha (3), Roberts, McLeod, Gorman, Tatu, Pesa, Gruber
[ 26]
January 30, 1982
Toronto Blizzard
H
8–7
5,545
Roberts (2), Zequinha (2), Pesa (2), Tatu, Gorman
[ 27]
February 3, 1982
Jacksonville Tea Men
H
7–6(OT )
4,625
Tatu (3), McLeod (2), Zequinha, Peter Roe
[ 28]
February 6, 1982
New York Cosmos
A
3–10
10,199
McLeod (3), Tatu (2), Peter Roe (2), Kozić, Zequinha, Paul Roe
[ 29]
February 12, 1982
New York Cosmos
H
8–7
6,112
Pérez (3), Zequinha (2), McLeod (2), Kozić
[ 30]
February 14, 1982
Chicago Sting
A
10–9(OT )
19,938
Paul Roe (3), Roberts (2), Pérez (2), Kozić (2)
[ 8]
Playoffs
The playoffs are a home and home series. If one team fails to win both games, then a non-sudden-death, 15-minute mini-game is played, with a brief halftime to changes ends of the field. If the mini-game remains tied after full-time, then the match moves to sudden-death overtime periods, each lasting 7:30.
Bracket
Results
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
"Ref."
February 18, 1982
Montreal Manic
H
8–7(OT )
4,880
Tatu (3), Zequinha (2), Pesa, DeBrito, Kozić
[ 31]
February 21, 1982
Montreal Manic
A
2–3
15,855
Tatu, own goal
[ 10]
February 21, 1982
Montreal Manic
A
1–2(3OT)
(Mini-game)
Fernando, Roberts
[ 10]
February 25, 1982
Tulsa Roughnecks
A
5–4
7,021
McLeod (2), Tatu (2), Peter Roe
[ 32]
March 1, 1982
Tulsa Roughnecks
H
3–4
5,545
Zequinha, McLeod, Tatu
[ 11]
March 1, 1982
Tulsa Roughnecks
H
1–0
(Mini-game)
Pesa
[ 11]
March 3, 1982
San Diego Sockers (Finals)
A
9–7
12,840
Pérez (2), Gruber (2), Peter Roe, Zequinha, McLeod
[ 33]
March 8, 1982
San Diego Sockers (Finals)
H
5–10
6,325
Tatu (2), McLeod, Zequinha, Roberts
[ 34]
Statistics
Season scoring
GP = Games played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points [ 9]
Season goalkeeping
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses [ 9]
Playoff scoring
GP = Games played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points [ 35]
Playoff goalkeeping
Note: GP = Games played; MGP = Mini-games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses [ 35]
Player movement
In
No.
Pos.
Player
Transferred from
Fee/notes
Date
Source
7
FW
Zequinha
Dallas Tornado
Rowdies/Tornado merger
September 16, 1981
[ 4]
11
FW
Njego Pesa
Dallas Tornado
Rowdies/Tornado merger
September 16, 1981
[ 4]
13
DF
Carl Bennett
Dallas Tornado
Rowdies/Tornado merger
September 16, 1981
[ 4]
2
DF
Peter Gruber
Dallas Tornado
Rowdies/Tornado merger
September 16, 1981
[ 4]
16
DF
Ray Vigliotti
Dallas Tornado
Rowdies/Tornado merger
September 16, 1981
[ 4]
20
GK
Jürgen Stars
Calgary Boomers
NASL dispersal draft
October 6, 1981
[ 36]
14
FW
Tatu
São Paulo
loan in
December 1, 1981
[ 37]
21
MF
Paul Roe
Hamilton Steelers
free transfer
December 12, 1981
[ 38]
16
FW
Pedro DeBrito
UConn
NASL entry draft
December 14, 1981
[ 39]
27
MF
Jaiminho
São Paulo
loan in
January 11, 1982
[ 40]
Out
No.
Pos.
Player
Transferred to
Fee/notes
Date
Source
2
DF
Ian Anderson
Cleveland Force
returned from loan
September 10, 1981
[ 41]
9
FW
Frank Worthington
Birmingham City
returned from loan
September 10, 1981
[ 41]
25
FW
David Moss
Luton Town
returned from loan
September 10, 1981
[ 41]
11
DF
Dave Taber
none
release
October 21, 1981
[ 42]
16
MF
Billy Sweetzer
none
release
October 21, 1981
[ 42]
13
GK
Kevin Keelan
Tampa Bay
release, hired as asst. coach
October 21, 1981
[ 42]
15
MF
Dave Mehmet
Charlton Athletic
sold contract for $130,000
November 18, 1981
[ 43]
14
FW
Tony Kinsella
Ipswich Town
sold contract
November 20, 1981
[ 44]
21
DF
Manny Andruszewski
none
released
November 20, 1981
[ 44]
22
GK
Kevin Clinton
none
released
December 3, 1981
[ 5]
16
DF
Ray Vigliotti
Baltimore Blast
released; signed with Baltimore
December 12, 1982
[ 45]
27
MF
Jaiminho
São Paulo
returned from loan
February 23, 1982
[ 46]
See also
References
^ Scheiber, Dave (February 13, 1981). "Rowdies: humiliating 8-7 ending" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 3C. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
^ Henderson, Jim (February 14, 1981). "Strikers End Playoff Hope Of Rowdies" . Tampa Tribune . p. 4C. Retrieved August 18, 2021 .
^ McEwen, Tom (September 4, 1981). "Rowdies, Sao Paulo Agree to Working Arrangement" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 17, 2021 .
^ a b c d e f McEwen, Tom (September 17, 1981). "Rowdie Get Dallas Players, Hunt In Merger" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 17, 2021 .
^ a b Scheiber, Dave (December 4, 1981). "Connell to captain Rowdies" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 9C. Retrieved August 26, 2021 .
^ Scheiber, Dave (December 16, 1981). "Jago hopes to find cure" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 4C. Retrieved August 15, 2021 .
^ a b Henderson, Jim (December 20, 1981). "Rowdies 'Tatu' Tea Men, 8-6" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-D. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b Davis, Michael (February 15, 1982). "Rowdies lose overtime thriller to Sting 10-9" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b c "Rowdies 1982 Indoor Stats" . Tampa Tribune . February 16, 1982. p. 2-C. Retrieved August 18, 2021 .
^ a b c Henderson, Jim (February 22, 1982). "Playoff War Has A Very Rowdie End" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b c Scheiber, Dave (March 2, 1982). "Rowdies earn shot at the title" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b "Three Rowdies on all-star team" . The Tampa Times. March 31, 1982. p. 4C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b Mudry, Richard (April 1, 1982). "Rowdies an unfamiliar bunch to fans" . The Tampa Times. p. 5C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b Henderson, Jim (December 3, 1981). "Rowdies Clobber Tea Men In Practice" . Tampa Tribune . p. 13-C. Retrieved August 10, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (December 6, 1981). "Rowdies Kick In Door, 8-5" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-D. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (December 12, 1981). "Tulsa Tumbles Rowdies" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ "Blizzard blows past Rowdies 9-3" . St. Petersburg Times . December 14, 1981. p. 3C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ O’Brien, Steve (December 18, 1981). "Rowdies Rally Not Enough" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Scheiber, Dave (December 24, 1981). "Rowdies zap Sting with mark of 'Z' " . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Kay, Linda (December 27, 1981). "Sting repay Rowdies for loss 'Z' " . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (January 3, 1982). "Rowdies Trip Tulsa" . Tampa Tribune . p. 3-D. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (January 6, 1982). "The Rocky Road: Rowdies Fall 4-2" . Tampa Tribune . p. 3-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ "Rowdies rebound on road for win" . St. Petersburg Times . January 11, 1982. p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ "Sluggish Start Dooms Rowdies To 6-5 Defeat" . Tampa Tribune . January 16, 1982. p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Mudry, Richard (January 21, 1982). "Roe helps Rowdies get even" . Tampa Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ "Gruber Goal Lifts Rowdies To Win" . Tampa Tribune . January 24, 1982. p. 3-D. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Johnson, Mark (January 31, 1982). "Revitalized Rowdies do in Blizzard" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (February 4, 1982). "Tatu Scores 3 As Rowdies Win" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ "Rowdies Win 10-3, Earn Playoff Berth" . Tampa Tribune . February 7, 1982. p. 1-D. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (February 13, 1982). "Rowdies 'Compensate' For Win" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Scheiber, Dave (February 19, 1982). "Rowdies rally, rule in overtime 8-7" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (February 26, 1982). "Rowdies Rally Late To Edge Roughnecks" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (March 4, 1982). "San Diego Socks It To Rowdies, 9-7" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ Mudry, Richard (March 9, 1982). " 'Greybeards' send Rowdies home empty" . Tampa Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 14, 2021 .
^ a b "Rowdies Indoor Playoff Stats" . Tampa Tribune . February 24, 1982. p. 2-C. Retrieved August 23, 2021 .
^ Cote, Greg (October 7, 1981). "Strikers draft Mikkelsen" . Miami Herald . p. 4C. Retrieved August 23, 2021 .
^ Scheiber, Dave (December 2, 1981). "Rowdies turn to Tatu for a fantasy quest" . St. Petersberg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 24, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (December 13, 1981). "Rowdies Try To Avoid Blizzard" . Tampa Tribune . p. 11-D. Retrieved August 24, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (December 15, 1981). "Rowdies Stock Up; DeBrito No. 1 Pick" . Tampa Tribune . p. 1-C. Retrieved August 24, 2021 .
^ "Rowdies get Brazilian help" . Orlando Sentinel . September 17, 1980. p. 3C. Retrieved August 24, 2021 .
^ a b c Scheiber, Dave (September 11, 1981). "Coming Back?" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 1C. Retrieved August 25, 2021 .
^ a b c "Rowdies axe three; two more in limbo" . Tampa Times . October 22, 1981. p. 4C. Retrieved August 25, 2021 .
^ Mudry, Richard (November 19, 1981). "Rowdies deal Mehmet" . Tampa Times . p. 3C. Retrieved August 25, 2021 .
^ a b Scheiber, Dave (November 21, 1981). "Roberts is taking care of business" . St. Petersburg Times . p. 3C. Retrieved August 25, 2021 .
^ Henderson, Jim (December 13, 1981). "Rowdies Try To Avoid Blizzard" . Tampa Tribune . p. 11-D. Retrieved August 26, 2021 .
^ "Jaiminho returns to Rowdies" . Tampa Times . February 24, 1982. p. 4C. Retrieved August 26, 2021 .
External links
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