Rowdies to unveil uniforms, preseason schedule Wednesday

The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies will unveil their uniforms for the team’s inaugural season, and the remainder of the clubs preseason schedule, at a press conference to be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. the club said in a statement issued on Tuesday morning.

At the second player combine, held in Liverpool, England, late last year, the side was outfitted by Under Armor in its scrimmage against Wrexham, but it is unclear if that partnership will carry over to the regular season.

The first three of the Rowdies preseason games became public last week, with games against the University of Tampa, FC Dallas and the Philadelphia Union all slated to be played at Pepin Stadium. The Rowdies had previous said they expected to have five or six preseason games in all.

The Rowdies are also appearing to step up their visibility efforts within the soccer community. After an autograph session with Pascal Milien, Adam Nowland and Joe Donoho at the BAYSL Fields in Brandon on Saturday, the club confirmed it will have a presence just inside the entrance gate at Wednesday night’s United States vs. El Salvador game at Raymond James Stadium.

Rowdies sign former U.S. Under-20 captain Valentin

TAMPA – The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies have announced the signing of former U.S. Under-20 international defender Julian Valentin, the 16th signing by the side as it prepares for its inaugural season, beginning in early April.

Valentin, a 2008 selection of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Superdraft, captained the United States at the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada, and was also a captain for the Under-17 and Under-18 teams prior to that.

“Julian is a natural leader on and off the field and has captained the U.S. at every level he has played at,” Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish said in a press release. “He will be a leader which is invaluable. This is another very exciting signing for the Rowdies as the start of our inaugural season nears."

Valentin played his college career for ACC power Wake Forest, starting in 59 games and scoring nine goals for the Demon Deacons in his college career.