1976 Tampa Bay Rowdies season

March 2026 August 2023 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1976 ITA Eddie Firmani Head coach USA Beau Rodgers General manager USA George W. Strawbridge, Jr. Tampa Stadium NASL Division: 1stOverall: 1stPlayoffs: Conference finals U.S. Open Cup Did not enter RSA 1928 Derek Smethurst (20 goals) 42,611(June 6 v. New York) 7,276(June 23 v. Rochester) 16,452 true _collargreen _tbrowdies12h _tbrowdies12h _green_border _hoops_green_2 006600 ffffff 006600 FFFFff FFF200 _tbrowdies13h _tbrowdies12h _tbrowdies12h _norwich1617h _hoops_green_2 006600 006600 006600 006600 FFF200 1975 1977 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, https://www.newspapers.com/image/718051789/?terms=Marsh%20captain&match=1 Marsh to captain April 22, 1976 Bradenton Herald D-2 May 24, 2021 but resigned the post after just eleven days, handing the job to fellow Englishman, Tommy Smith.Martz Ron https://www.newspapers.com/image/318671772/?terms=Rowdies%20captain&match=1 Wanted: a rowdy Rowdie to unite team May 24, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 1C May 24, 2021 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. https://www.newspapers.com/image/318515779/?terms=%22Rowdies%20statistics%22&match=1 Rowdies statistics August 18, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 2-C May 16, 2021 Club Roster No.PositionNationPlayer1 USA GK Arnie Mausser 1 USA GK Bob Stetler 2 ENG MF Farrukh Quraishi 3 SCO DF Alex Pringle 4 ENG DF Tommy Smith (capt.) Tommy Smith (footballer, born 1945) 5 USA DF Ringo Cantillo 6 USA DF Colin Fowles 7 SCO FW Stewart Scullion 8 USA MF Randy Garber Randy Garber (soccer) 9 BER FW Clyde Best 10 ENG FW Rodney Marsh 11 USA FW Doug Wark 11 USA MF Dennis Wit 12 RSA FW Derek Smethurst 13 ENG DF Stewart Jump 14 USA FW Joey Fink 15 ENG MF Mark Lindsay Mark Lindsay (footballer) 16 USA DF John Bluem 17 USA FW Eddie Austin 18 HAI DF Arsène Auguste 19 ENG MF Len Glover Lenny Glover Management and technical staff USA George W. Strawbridge, Jr., owner USA Beau Rodgers, general manager ITA Eddie Firmani, head coach ENG Ken Shields, trainer POR Francisco Marcos, public relations director USA Alfredo Beronda, equipment manager Honors Seven different Rowdies received nine individual honors following the 1976 NASL season.Henderson Jim https://www.newspapers.com/image/334950815/?terms=Mausser%20award&match=1 Mausser Top American In NASL Voting August 28, 1976 Tampa Tribune 3-C May 24, 2021Henderson Jim https://www.newspapers.com/image/334942722/?terms=Mausser%20award&match=1 Firmani Named Top NASL Coach August 24, 1976 Tampa Tribune 4-C May 24, 2021Blankenship Ken https://www.newspapers.com/image/318514449/?terms=Smethurst%20goal%20scorer&match=1 Smethurst gets raw deal... August 16, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 7C May 24, 2021Mudry Richard https://www.newspapers.com/image/333513042/?terms=Smethurst%20goal%20scorer&match=1 Six Rowdies picked on NASL star teams August 16, 1976 Tampa Times 1-C May 24, 2021 NASL North American Player of the Year: Arnie Mausser NASL Coach of the Year: Eddie Firmani NASL Leading goal scorer: Derek Smethurst (20 goals) NASL All-Star, First Team: Arnie Mausser NASL All-Star, First Team: Tommy Smith NASL All-Star, First Team: Rodney Marsh NASL All-Star, Second Team: Stewart Jump NASL All-Star, Second Team: Derek Smethurst NASL All-Star, Second Team: Stewart Scullion 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. https://www.newspapers.com/image/334583975/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Rowdies tie in Haiti exhibition January 14, 1976 The Tampa Times 3-C May 25, 2021 Two days later another 21,000 witnessed the National Team defeat the Rowdies, 1–0. https://www.newspapers.com/image/318632827/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Hatians nip Rowdies 1–0 January 16, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 6C May 25, 2021 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. https://www.newspapers.com/image/334954250/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Rowdies Win 4–1 January 18, 1976 Tampa Tribune 3D May 25, 2021 In the final Haitian game, the Rowdies edged Victory SC, 2–1, before 13,000 fans. https://www.newspapers.com/image/318648282/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Rowdies end trip with 2–1 victory January 20, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 3C May 25, 2021 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.Ledman Gary https://www.newspapers.com/image/718048634/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Thunder storms by Rowdies April 10, 1976 Bradenton Herald B-6 May 25, 2021 The following night as Tarpon Springs High School the teams played to a 0–0 draw before 2,500 onlookers.Ford Tom https://www.newspapers.com/image/334906621/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 Rowdies Scoreless But Manage A Tie April 11, 1976 Tampa Tribune 7D May 25, 2021 Tampa Bay finished the preseason with a record of 2–2–2. Results DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersJanuary 13, 1976 HAI 1964 Haiti National TeamStade Sylvio Cator1–121,000Joe FinkJanuary 15, 1976 HAI 1964 Haiti National TeamStade Sylvio Cator1–021,000 –January 17, 1976 HAI 1964 Racing CHStade Sylvio Cator1–4 21,500Joe Fink (2), Rodney Marsh, Doug WarkJanuary 19, 1976 HAI 1964 Victory SCStade Sylvio Cator1–2 13,000Rodney Marsh, Derek SmethurstApril 9, 1976 USA San Antonio ThunderIhrig Field1–22,845Clyde BestApril 10, 1976 USA San Antonio ThunderTarpon Springs HS0–02,500 – 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. #B3B7FF darkgray-League Premiers (most points). #ccffcc darkgray-Other playoff teams. Eastern Division W L GF GA BP Pts Home RoadTampa Bay Rowdies18658304615412-06-6 New York Cosmos1686534521489-37-5 Washington Diplomats141046384212610-24-8 Philadelphia Atoms816324932806-62-10 Miami Toros618295827634-82-10 Regular season results DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersApril 24, 1976Chicago StingH2–132,611Rodney Marsh, Derek SmethurstApril 30, 1976Boston MinutemenH1–011,417Joey FinkMay 2, 1976Washington DiplomatsA2–08,238 –May 7, 1976Chicago StingA0–12,865Derek SmethurstMay 14, 1976Seattle SoundersH3–210,342Rodney Marsh (2), ScullionMay 16, 1976Toronto Metros-CroatiaA2–03,890 –May 19, 1976Hartford BicentennialsH5–27,692Derek Smethurst (3), Clyde Best, Rodnet MarshJune 6, 1976New York CosmosH5–142,611Derek Smethurst (3), Clyde Best, Stewart ScullionJune 8, 1976Philadelphia AtomsA2–1 4,241Stewart ScullionJune 12, 1976San Antonio ThunderH0–0 (SO, 5–4)11,158 –June 18, 1976San Diego JawsA0–28,246Mark Lindsay, Stewart ScullionJune 19, 1976Los Angeles AztecsA2–1 (OT)9,354Derek SmethurstJune 23, 1976Rochester LancersH2–07,276Rodney Marsh (2)July 2, 1976Miami TorosA1–23,500 (est.)Derek Smethurst (2)July 10, 1976Washington DiplomatsH1–018,233Stewart ScullionJuly 14, 1976New York CosmosA5–427,892Clyde Best (3), Derek SmethurstJuly 17, 1976Toronto Metros-CroatiaH4–112,869Mark Lindsay, Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst, own goalJuly 21, 1976Philadelphia AtomsH2–1 (OT)10,262Clyde Best, Derek SmethurstJuly 24, 1976Miami TorosH4–115,951Stewart Scullion (3), Derek SmethurstJuly 30, 1976Hartford BicentennialsA0–73,800Derek Smethurst (4), Clyde Best, Stewart Jump, Mark LindsayAugust 1, 1976Boston MinutemenA2–4981Clyde Best (2), Rodney Marsh, Derek SmethurstAugust 7, 1976Minnesota KicksH2–1 17,007Stewart Scullion, Rodney MarshAugust 11, 1976Rochester LancersA2–16,797Len GloverAugust 14, 1976Portland TimbersA2–3 (OT)17,199Stewart 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 DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersAugust 20, 1976New York CosmosH3–136,863Derek Smethurst, Stewart Scullion, Rodney MarshAugust 24, 1977Toronto Metros-CroatiaH0–228,046 – Playoff bracket First round Division Championships Conference Championships Soccer Bowl '76 35px 150px E2 New York Cosmos 2 E3 Washington Diplomats 0 N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2 N3 Rochester Lancers 1 S2 Dallas Tornado 2 S3 Los Angeles Aztecs 0 W2 Seattle Sounders 1 W3 Vancouver Whitecaps 0 E1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3 E2 New York Cosmos 1 N1 Chicago Sting 2(1) N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2(3) S1 San Jose Earthquakes 2 S2 Dallas Tornado 0 W1 Minnesota Kicks 3 W2 Seattle Sounders 0 E1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 0 N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 2 S1 San Jose Earthquakes 1 W1 Minnesota Kicks 3 N2 Toronto Metros-Croatia 3 W1 Minnesota Kicks 0 Statistics Season scoring GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points Player GP G A PtsDerek Smethurst2420545Rodney Marsh2111931Stewart Scullion24101030Clyde Best199624Mark Lindsay214412Len Glover14157Joey Fink9113Ringo Cantillo21033Dennis Wit7033Stewart Jump17102Alex Pringle22011Randy Garber5011Arnie Mausser24000Arsène Auguste17000Tommy Smith17000Farrukh Quraishi15000John Bluem13000Doug Wark4000Eddie Austin4000Bob Stetler4000Colin Fowles0000 Season goalkeeping Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; Svs = Saves; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses Player GP Min Svs GA GAA W LArnie Mausser 24 2011 201 28 1.17 18 6Bob Stetler 4 43 3 2 4.19 0 0 Playoff scoring GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points Player GP G A PtsRodney Marsh2113Derek Smethurst2102Stewart Scullion2102Alex Pringle2011Clyde Best2000Mark Lindsay2000Len Glover2000Joey Fink2000Ringo Cantillo2000Stewart Jump2000Arnie Mausser2000Tommy Smith2000Eddie Austin1000Dennis Wit1000 Playoff goalkeeping Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; Svs = Saves; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses Player GP Min Svs GA GAA W LArnie Mausser 2 180 17 3 1.50 1 1 Player movement In No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource14 FW USA Joey Fink USA New York Cosmos purchased November 18, 1975 Rowdies buy Cosmos' striker https://www.newspapers.com/image/318519108/?terms=Joe%20Fink&match=1 St. Petersburg Times November 19, 1975 2C May 23, 2021 1 GK USA Arnie Mausser USA Hartford Bicentennials purchased November 25, 1975 Rowdies buy goalkeeper https://www.newspapers.com/image/232107502/?terms=Mausser&match=1 Fort Lauderdale News November 26, 1975 5D May 23, 2021 10 FW ENG Rodney Marsh ENG Manchester City $100,000 transfer fee January 11, 1976 Marsh Sign With Rowdies https://www.newspapers.com/image/334942970/?terms=%22Rodney%20Marsh%22&match=1 Tampa Tribune January 12, 1976 1C May 23, 2021 6 DF USA Colin Fowles USA LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds amateur draft January 14, 1976 Brown's Ralbovsky First in NASL Draft https://www.newspapers.com/image/255098425/?terms=Colin%20Fowles&match=1 Ithaca Journal January 15, 1976 18 May 23, 2021 4 DF ENG Tommy Smith ENG Liverpool on loan February 24, 1976 Fiery Tommy Smith gives NASL Rowdies new field general https://www.newspapers.com/image/333691915/?terms=%22Tommy%20Smith%22&match=1 St. Petersburg Times February 25, 1976 1-C May 23, 2021 5 DF USA Ringo Cantillo USA New York Inter-Giuliana SC on loan April 20, 1976 Rowdies Get Ringo Back On Loan https://www.newspapers.com/image/334895002/?terms=Ringo%20Cantillo&match=1 Tampa Tribune April 21, 1976 1-C May 23, 2021 19 MF ENG Len Glover ENG Leicester City on loan April 22, 1976 Rowdies roster https://www.newspapers.com/image/318435530/?terms=Len%20Glover&match=1 St. Petersburg Times April 23, 1976 9C May 23, 2021 Rowdies expect Boston's defense to 'pack it in' https://www.newspapers.com/image/318419519/?terms=Len%20Glover&match=1 St. Petersburg Times April 29, 1976 8C May 23, 2021 11 MF USA Dennis Wit USA San Diego Jaws player trade July 12, 1976 Rowdies obtain Wit for Wark https://www.newspapers.com/image/333345138/?terms=Dennis%20Wit&match=1 The Tampa Times July 12, 1976 3-C May 23, 2021 Out No.Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource1 GK ENG Paul Hammond ENG Crystal Palace returned from loan August 28, 1975 Mudry Richard Six English loan players to leave Rowdies today https://www.newspapers.com/image/334644063/?terms=Hammond&match=1 August 28, 1975 The Tampa Times 1-C May 24, 2021 14FW ENG John Sissons ENG Chelsea returned from loan August 28, 1975 Henderson Jim Loaners Head Home https://www.newspapers.com/image/334973327/?terms=Sissons&match=1 August 28, 1975 9-C Tampa Tribune May 24, 20214 MF SCO John Boyle none released September 13, 1975 Rowdies release Boyle https://www.newspapers.com/image/318659400/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 St. Petersburg Times September 14, 1975 6C May 24, 2021 6DF RSA 1928 Mike Connell none compulsory military service December 17, 1975 Henderson Jim Rowdies "Kick Off" Soccer Year Sunday https://www.newspapers.com/image/334926512/?terms=%22Mike%20Connell%22&match=1 December 18, 1975 6C Tampa Tribune May 24, 2021Blankenship Ken Rowdies buy midfielder Lindsay https://www.newspapers.com/image/318423026/?terms=%22Mike%20Connell%22&match=1 February 21, 1976 1-C St. Petersburg Times May 24, 2021 1GK SCO Mike Hewitt USA San Jose Earthquakes sold contract February 20, 1976 Henderson Jim Rowdies To Sign Lindsay Today; Hewitt Leaves https://www.newspapers.com/image/334958998/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 February 21, 1976 6C Tampa Tribune May 24, 2021 7MF RSA 1928 Bernard Hartze USA Tacoma Tides on loan April 7, 1976 Mudry Richard Scullion's second great hope: https://www.newspapers.com/image/333732803/?terms=Bernard%20Hartze&match=1 April 8, 1976 6-C Tampa Times May 24, 2021 5DF ENG Malcolm Linton USA Los Angeles Aztecs sold contract April 14, 1976 Mudry Richard Rowdies Sell Linton To Aztecs https://www.newspapers.com/image/334916847/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 April 15, 1976 8-D Tampa Tribune May 24, 2021 8MF USA Randy Garber USA Los Angeles Aztecs traded for draft pick May 17, 1976 Blankenship Ken Rowdies ship American Garber to Los Angeles https://www.newspapers.com/image/318598567/?terms=Rowdies&match=1 May 18, 1976 4C St. Petersburg Times May 24, 2021 10FW USA Eddie Engerth USA Philadelphia Atoms traded for draft pick June 10, 1976 Thursday's Events https://www.newspapers.com/image/212294224/?terms=Engerth&match=1 June 11, 1976 2C Ft. Myers News-Press May 24, 2021 11FW USA Doug Wark USA San Diego Jaws player trade July 12, 1976 Henderson Jim Rowdies' Winger Wark Traded For Jaw Winger Wit https://www.newspapers.com/image/334916770/?terms=Doug%20Wark&match=1 July 13, 1976 5-C Tampa Tribune May 24, 2021 See also 1976 North American Soccer League season 1976 in American soccer Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993) References 1976 Rowdies results Tampa Bay Rowdies 1976 Category:Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993) seasons Tampa Bay Rowdies Tampa Bay Rowdies