Tampa Bay Rowdies
1976 season
OwnerUnited States George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
General managerUnited States Beau Rodgers
ManagerItaly Eddie Firmani
StadiumTampa Stadium
NASLDivision: 1st
Overall: 1st
Playoffs: Conference finals
U.S. Open CupDid not enter
Top goalscorerSouth Africa Derek Smethurst (20 goals)
Highest home attendance42,611
(June 6 v. New York)
Lowest home attendance7,276
(June 23 v. Rochester)
Average home league attendance16,452

The 1976 season was the original Tampa Bay Rowdies second season of existence, and their second season in the North American Soccer League, the top division of soccer in the United States and Canada at that time. Tampa Bay entered the season as the defending Soccer Bowl champions.

Overview

The defense of the Rowdies' NASL title began with the club going on a four-match preseason tour of Haiti. After winning the 1976 indoor tournament, the team later played two addition preseason games against the San Antonio Thunder at high schools in the Tampa Bay Area. The mercurial English star, Rodney Marsh was introduced as team captain on April 22,[1] but resigned the post after just eleven days, handing the job to fellow Englishman, Tommy Smith.[2] In the NASL season, the Rowdies finished with a league-best record of 18–6, which placed them first in the Eastern Division of the Atlantic Conference. As regular season champions, they qualified for the playoffs with home field advantage throughout. In an upset, they fell to Toronto Metros-Croatia, 0–2, in the conference finals. Toronto went on to win the Soccer Bowl. For the second consecutive season South African striker, Derek Smethurst was the club leader in scoring with 20 goals, a total which also led the league.[3]

Club

Roster

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Arnie Mausser  United States
1 GK Bob Stetler  United States
2 MF Farrukh Quraishi  England
3 DF Alex Pringle  Scotland
4 DF Tommy Smith (capt.)  England
5 DF Ringo Cantillo  United States
6 DF Colin Fowles  United States
7 FW Stewart Scullion  Scotland
8 MF Randy Garber  United States
9 FW Clyde Best  Bermuda
10 FW Rodney Marsh  England
11 FW Doug Wark  United States
11 MF Dennis Wit  United States
12 FW Derek Smethurst  South Africa
13 DF Stewart Jump  England
14 FW Joey Fink  United States
15 MF Mark Lindsay  England
16 DF John Bluem  United States
17 FW Eddie Austin  United States
18 DF Arsène Auguste  Haiti
19 MF Len Glover  England

Management and technical staff

Honors

Seven different Rowdies received nine individual honors following the 1976 NASL season.[4][5][6][7]

Competitions

Preseason friendlies

In January 1976 Tampa Bay made a four match tour of Haiti. The first was a, 1–1, draw on January 13 versus the Haitian National Team before a crowd of 21,000.[8] Two days later another 21,000 witnessed the National Team defeat the Rowdies, 1–0.[9] The third match of the tour was played on January 17, against the club side Racing CH with Tampa Bay dominating, 4–1, as 21,500 looked on.[10] In the final Haitian game, the Rowdies edged Victory SC, 2–1, before 13,000 fans.[11]

In early April Tampa Bay also played back-to-back friendlies with the San Antonio Thunder. The first was a 1–2 defeat, played at Sarasota High School which drew 2,845 fans.[12] The following night as Tarpon Springs High School the teams played to a 0–0 draw before 2,500 onlookers.[13] Tampa Bay finished the preseason with a record of 2–2–2.

Results

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
January 13, 1976 Haiti Haiti National Team Stade Sylvio Cator 1–1 21,000 Joe Fink
January 15, 1976 Haiti Haiti National Team Stade Sylvio Cator 1–0 21,000 –
January 17, 1976 Haiti Racing CH Stade Sylvio Cator 1–4 21,500 Joe Fink (2), Rodney Marsh, Doug Wark
January 19, 1976 Haiti Victory SC Stade Sylvio Cator 1–2 13,000 Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst
April 9, 1976 United States San Antonio Thunder Ihrig Field 1–2 2,845 Clyde Best
April 10, 1976 United States San Antonio Thunder Tarpon Springs HS 0–0 2,500 –

North American Soccer League season

The Rowdies finished the regular season with 154 points, positioning them in 1st place in the Eastern Division of the Atlantic Conference, and first overall out of 20 NASL teams. After a solid 8–4 start to the season, Tampa Bay finished even stronger with a 10–2 record the rest of the way for a league-best record of 18–6. They earned two more victories than their nearest foe. They scored 58 goals, which was second in the league, while their 30 goals-against tied them with three other clubs as the fewest. As regular season champions, Tampa Bay also earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The club averaged 16,452 fans per game in the regular season, with three matches surpassing 15,000, one reaching 32,000, and still another topping 42,000.

Regular-season standings

W = Wins, L = Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, BP = Bonus Points, Pts= point system

6 points for a win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each regulation goal scored up to three per game.

 -League Premiers (most points).  -Other playoff teams.
Eastern Division W L GF GA BP Pts Home Road
Tampa Bay Rowdies18658304615412-06-6
New York Cosmos1686534521489-37-5
Washington Diplomats141046384212610-24-8
Philadelphia Atoms816324932806-62-10
Miami Toros618295827634-82-10

Regular season results

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
April 24, 1976 Chicago Sting H 2–1 32,611 Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst
April 30, 1976 Boston Minutemen H 1–0 11,417 Joey Fink
May 2, 1976 Washington Diplomats A 2–0 8,238 –
May 7, 1976 Chicago Sting A 0–1 2,865 Derek Smethurst
May 14, 1976 Seattle Sounders H 3–2 10,342 Rodney Marsh (2), Scullion
May 16, 1976 Toronto Metros-Croatia A 2–0 3,890 –
May 19, 1976 Hartford Bicentennials H 5–2 7,692 Derek Smethurst (3), Clyde Best, Rodnet Marsh
June 6, 1976 New York Cosmos H 5–1 42,611 Derek Smethurst (3), Clyde Best, Stewart Scullion
June 8, 1976 Philadelphia Atoms A 2–1 4,241 Stewart Scullion
June 12, 1976 San Antonio Thunder H 0–0 (SO, 5–4) 11,158 –
June 18, 1976 San Diego Jaws A 0–2 8,246 Mark Lindsay, Stewart Scullion
June 19, 1976 Los Angeles Aztecs A 2–1 (OT) 9,354 Derek Smethurst
June 23, 1976 Rochester Lancers H 2–0 7,276 Rodney Marsh (2)
July 2, 1976 Miami Toros A 1–2 3,500 (est.) Derek Smethurst (2)
July 10, 1976 Washington Diplomats H 1–0 18,233 Stewart Scullion
July 14, 1976 New York Cosmos A 5–4 27,892 Clyde Best (3), Derek Smethurst
July 17, 1976 Toronto Metros-Croatia H 4–1 12,869 Mark Lindsay, Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst, own goal
July 21, 1976 Philadelphia Atoms H 2–1 (OT) 10,262 Clyde Best, Derek Smethurst
July 24, 1976 Miami Toros H 4–1 15,951 Stewart Scullion (3), Derek Smethurst
July 30, 1976 Hartford Bicentennials A 0–7 3,800 Derek Smethurst (4), Clyde Best, Stewart Jump, Mark Lindsay
August 1, 1976 Boston Minutemen A 2–4 981 Clyde Best (2), Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst
August 7, 1976 Minnesota Kicks H 2–1 17,007 Stewart Scullion, Rodney Marsh
August 11, 1976 Rochester Lancers A 2–1 6,797 Len Glover
August 14, 1976 Portland Timbers A 2–3 (OT) 17,199 Stewart Scullion, Mark Lindsay, Derek Smethurst

NASL playoffs

Tampa Bay's two home playoff matches drew more than 36,000 and 28,000 respectively.

Playoff results

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
August 20, 1976 New York Cosmos H 3–1 36,863 Derek Smethurst, Stewart Scullion, Rodney Marsh
August 24, 1977 Toronto Metros-Croatia H 0–2 28,046 –

Playoff bracket

First round Division Championships Conference Championships Soccer Bowl '76
            
E2 New York Cosmos 2
E3 Washington Diplomats 0
E1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3
E2 New York Cosmos 1
E1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 0
N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2
N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2
N3 Rochester Lancers 1
N1 Chicago Sting 2(1)
N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2(3)
N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 3
W1 Minnesota Kicks 0
S2 Dallas Tornado 2
S3 Los Angeles Aztecs 0
S1 San Jose Earthquakes 2
S2 Dallas Tornado 0
S1 San Jose Earthquakes 1
W1 Minnesota Kicks 3
W2 Seattle Sounders 1
W3 Vancouver Whitecaps 0
W1 Minnesota Kicks 3
W2 Seattle Sounders 0

Statistics

Season scoring

GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points[3]

Player GP G A Pts
Derek Smethurst2420545
Rodney Marsh2111931
Stewart Scullion24101030
Clyde Best199624
Mark Lindsay214412
Len Glover14157
Joey Fink9113
Ringo Cantillo21033
Dennis Wit7033
Stewart Jump17102
Alex Pringle22011
Randy Garber5011
Arnie Mausser24000
Arsène Auguste17000
Tommy Smith17000
Farrukh Quraishi15000
John Bluem13000
Doug Wark4000
Eddie Austin4000
Bob Stetler4000
Colin Fowles0000

Season goalkeeping

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; Svs = Saves; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses[3]

Player GP Min Svs GA GAA W L
Arnie Mausser242011201281.17186
Bob Stetler443324.1900

Playoff scoring

GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points[3]

Player GP G A Pts
Rodney Marsh2113
Derek Smethurst2102
Stewart Scullion2102
Alex Pringle2011
Clyde Best2000
Mark Lindsay2000
Len Glover2000
Joey Fink2000
Ringo Cantillo2000
Stewart Jump2000
Arnie Mausser2000
Tommy Smith2000
Eddie Austin1000
Dennis Wit1000

Playoff goalkeeping

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; Svs = Saves; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses[3]

Player GP Min Svs GA GAA W L
Arnie Mausser21801731.5011

Player movement

In

No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
14FWUnited States Joey FinkUnited States New York CosmospurchasedNovember 18, 1975[14]
1GKUnited States Arnie MausserUnited States Hartford BicentennialspurchasedNovember 25, 1975[15]
10FWEngland Rodney MarshEngland Manchester City$100,000 transfer feeJanuary 11, 1976[16]
6DFUnited States Colin FowlesUnited States LIU Brooklyn Blackbirdsamateur draftJanuary 14, 1976[17]
4DFEngland Tommy SmithEngland Liverpoolon loanFebruary 24, 1976[18]
5DFUnited States Ringo CantilloUnited States New York Inter-Giuliana SCon loanApril 20, 1976[19]
19MFEngland Len GloverEngland Leicester Cityon loanApril 22, 1976[20][21]
11MFUnited States Dennis WitUnited States San Diego Jawsplayer tradeJuly 12, 1976[22]

Out

No. Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/notes Date Source
1GKEngland Paul HammondEngland Crystal Palacereturned from loanAugust 28, 1975[23]
14FWEngland John SissonsEngland Chelseareturned from loanAugust 28, 1975[24]
4MFScotland John BoylenonereleasedSeptember 13, 1975[25]
6DFSouth Africa Mike Connellnonecompulsory military serviceDecember 17, 1975[26][27]
1GKScotland Mike HewittUnited States San Jose Earthquakessold contractFebruary 20, 1976[28]
7MFSouth Africa Bernard HartzeUnited States Tacoma Tideson loanApril 7, 1976[29]
5DFEngland Malcolm LintonUnited States Los Angeles Aztecssold contractApril 14, 1976[30]
8MFUnited States Randy GarberUnited States Los Angeles Aztecstraded for draft pickMay 17, 1976[31]
10FWUnited States Eddie EngerthUnited States Philadelphia Atomstraded for draft pickJune 10, 1976[32]
11FWUnited States Doug WarkUnited States San Diego Jawsplayer tradeJuly 12, 1976[33]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marsh to captain". Bradenton Herald. April 22, 1976. p. D-2. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  2. ↑ Martz, Ron (May 24, 1976). "Wanted: a rowdy Rowdie to unite team". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rowdies statistics". St. Petersburg Times. August 18, 1976. p. 2-C. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  4. ↑ Henderson, Jim (August 28, 1976). "Mausser Top American In NASL Voting". Tampa Tribune. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ Henderson, Jim (August 24, 1976). "Firmani Named Top NASL Coach". Tampa Tribune. p. 4-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Blankenship, Ken (August 16, 1976). "Smethurst gets raw deal..." St. Petersburg Times. p. 7C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mudry, Richard (August 16, 1976). "Six Rowdies picked on NASL star teams". Tampa Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Rowdies tie in Haiti exhibition". The Tampa Times. January 14, 1976. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Hatians nip Rowdies 1–0". St. Petersburg Times. January 16, 1976. p. 6C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Rowdies Win 4–1". Tampa Tribune. January 18, 1976. p. 3D. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Rowdies end trip with 2–1 victory". St. Petersburg Times. January 20, 1976. p. 3C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  12. ↑ Ledman, Gary (April 10, 1976). "Thunder storms by Rowdies". Bradenton Herald. p. B-6. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ Ford, Tom (April 11, 1976). "Rowdies Scoreless But Manage A Tie". Tampa Tribune. p. 7D. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Rowdies buy Cosmos' striker". St. Petersburg Times. November 19, 1975. p. 2C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Rowdies buy goalkeeper". Fort Lauderdale News. November 26, 1975. p. 5D. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Marsh Sign With Rowdies". Tampa Tribune. January 12, 1976. p. 1C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Brown's Ralbovsky First in NASL Draft". Ithaca Journal. January 15, 1976. p. 18. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Fiery Tommy Smith gives NASL Rowdies new field general". St. Petersburg Times. February 25, 1976. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Rowdies Get Ringo Back On Loan". Tampa Tribune. April 21, 1976. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Rowdies roster". St. Petersburg Times. April 23, 1976. p. 9C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Rowdies expect Boston's defense to 'pack it in'". St. Petersburg Times. April 29, 1976. p. 8C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Rowdies obtain Wit for Wark". The Tampa Times. July 12, 1976. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  23. ↑ Mudry, Richard (August 28, 1975). "Six English loan players to leave Rowdies today". The Tampa Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  24. ↑ Henderson, Jim (August 28, 1975). "Loaners Head Home". Tampa Tribune. p. 9-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Rowdies release Boyle". St. Petersburg Times. September 14, 1975. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  26. ↑ Henderson, Jim (December 18, 1975). "Rowdies "Kick Off" Soccer Year Sunday". Tampa Tribune. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  27. ↑ Blankenship, Ken (February 21, 1976). "Rowdies buy midfielder Lindsay". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  28. ↑ Henderson, Jim (February 21, 1976). "Rowdies To Sign Lindsay Today; Hewitt Leaves". Tampa Tribune. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  29. ↑ Mudry, Richard (April 8, 1976). "Scullion's second great hope:". Tampa Times. p. 6-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  30. ↑ Mudry, Richard (April 15, 1976). "Rowdies Sell Linton To Aztecs". Tampa Tribune. p. 8-D. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  31. ↑ Blankenship, Ken (May 18, 1976). "Rowdies ship American Garber to Los Angeles". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Thursday's Events". Ft. Myers News-Press. June 11, 1976. p. 2C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  33. ↑ Henderson, Jim (July 13, 1976). "Rowdies' Winger Wark Traded For Jaw Winger Wit". Tampa Tribune. p. 5-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
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