The 1982 season was the original Tampa Bay Rowdies eighth season of existence, and their eighth season in the North American Soccer League, the then-top division of soccer in the United States and Canada. In the 1982 season, the Rowdies finished third in the Southern Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Brazilian striker, Luís Fernando lead the club in scoring, with 16 goals in the regular season and 25 across all competitions.

Club

Roster No.PositionNationPlayer

Management and technical staff Gordon Jago began the season as head coach but stepped down the day after a 2–1 loss to the Chicago Sting on July 7. Although Al Miller was immediately named as Jago's successor, assistant coach Kevin Keelan served as the interim head coach for one match at San Diego on July 10. Miller joined the team the following day. Keelan also filled in as coach on July 31, during the Sunshine International Series, while Miller attended his daughter's wedding in Dallas. Other members of the staff included the team's trainer, Ken Shields and equipment manager, Alfredo Beronda.

George W. Strawbridge, Jr., owner Ted Moore, general manager Francisco Marcos, director of player personal Gordon Jago, head coach (resigned July 7) Kevin Keelan, head coach (interim) Al Miller, head coach (began July 11) Ken Shields, trainer Alfredo Beronda, equipment manager

Honors Three Rowdies received individual honors following the 1982 NASL season. NASL Rookie of the Year: Pedro DeBrito NASL All-Star, First Team: Peter Nogly NASL All-Star, Honorable Mention: Mike Connell

Competitions Preseason friendlies Tampa Bay finished their preseason exhibition schedule undefeated with three victories over other NASL teams, one victory over an NCAA Division I squad, one victory over an NCAA Division II squad, and a draw versus the Honduras National Team as that squad prepared for the upcoming 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Preseason results DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersMarch 17, 1982Toronto BlizzardTangerine Bowl1–01,936Luis FernandoMarch 19, 1982Rollins College TarsSandspur Bowl4–0Luis Fernando (3), ZequinhaMarch 20, 1982Montreal ManicTangerine Bowl3–2 (SO)2,623 own goal, Luis FernandoMarch 24, 1982Jacksonville Tea MenTangerine Bowl3–12,020Luis Fernando (2), Njego PesaMarch 28, 1982Honduras National TeamTad Gormley Stadium1–17,000 Zequinha March 31, 1982South Florida BullsUSF Soccer Stadium3–1Njego Pesa (2), Peter Roe

Other friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersApril 14, 1982Univ. Tampa SpartansTampa Stadium4–0closed-doorNjego Pesa (2), Marcelino Oliveira, Fernando

North American Soccer League The Rowdies finished the regular season with 112 points placing them in 3rd place out of four teams in the Southern Division, and 12th out of 14 teams in the league overall. It also marked the first time Tampa Bay failed to qualify for the NASL playoffs in eight seasons. Predictably, as the losses mounted attendance dipped, with only a handful of home games reaching the 20,000 mark. Two of those were rivalry games against Fort Lauderdale and New York. One match was followed by a massive Fourth of July fireworks display, while another preceded a free concert featuring music legends, Chuck Berry and The Drifters. The remaining 20,000+ crowd showed up for the opening night of the season.

Regular-season standings NASL Southern DivisionWLGFGAPTSFort Lauderdale Strikers18146474163Tulsa Roughnecks16166957151Tampa Bay Rowdies12204777112Jacksonville Tea Men11214171105

Regular season results DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersApril 3, 1982Tulsa RoughnecksH3–127,379Luis Fernando (2), ZequinhaApril 10, 1982Fort Lauderdale StrikersH2–325,390Zequinha, Luis FernandoApril 18, 1982New York CosmosA2–052,436April 24, 1982Toronto BlizzardH1–217,761Peter NoglyApril 30, 1982Jacksonville Tea MenA2–010,031May 2, 1982Montreal ManicA0–220,612Luis Fernando, Mike ConnellMay 5, 1982Fort Lauderdale StrikersA2–315,205Marcelino Oliveira, Fernando, ConnellMay 7, 1982Seattle SoundersH1–015,700Luis FernandoMay 15, 1982Portland TimbersH1–2 (SO)18,237Luis FernandoMay 19, 1982Jacksonville Tea MenH0–213,204May 22, 1982Golden Bay EarthquakesA6–212,797Luis Fernando, ZequinhaMay 29, 1982Edmonton DrillersH4–125,387Tatu (2), Luis Fernando (2)June 2, 1982Tulsa RoughnecksH2–012,109own goal, ZequinhaJune 5, 1982Tulsa RoughnecksA2–014,332June 9, 1982Fort Lauderdale StrikersH4–215,211Nogly, Tatu, Fernando, Pedro DeBritoJune 12, 1982New York CosmosH0–228,475June 16, 1982Vancouver WhitecapsA3–018,257June 20, 1982Edmonton DrillersA1–34,023Luis Fernando (2), Wes McLeodJune 23, 1982Golden Bay EarthquakesH2–1 (OT)13,103Luis Fernando, Peter NoglyJune 26, 1982Vancouver WhitecapsH2–514,633Carlos Babington, Wes McLeodJune 30, 1982Jacksonville Tea MenA4–08,488July 4, 1982Jacksonville Tea MenH2–040,098Carlos Babington, TatuJuly 7, 1982Chicago StingH1–2 (SO)12,863Carlos BabingtonJuly 10, 1982San Diego SockersA1–26,785Luis FernandoJuly 15, 1982Tulsa RoughnecksA3–014,527July 17, 1982Seattle SoundersA3–4 (SO)11,132Tatu (2), own goalAugust 4, 1982Chicago StingA3–19,051Pedro DeBritoAugust 8, 1982Portland TimbersA5–06,620August 10, 1982Montreal ManicH0–37,131August 13, 1982San Diego SockersH3–19,436own goal, Tatu, Luis FernandoAugust 18, 1982Fort Lauderdale StrikersA2–111,426Peter NoglyAugust 22, 1982Toronto BlizzardA9–29,731Perry Van Der Beck, Don Droege

Sunshine International Series The Sunshine International Series was the first international competition to use the NASL’s point system to determine the standings. As such, teams were awarded six points for wins in regulation or overtime, four points for a shoot–out win, and up to three bonus points for each goal scored in regulation. All four teams faced one another. The Rowdies netted four goals and were winless in the series. On the final day of the competition a double header was played at Tampa Stadium with all four teams in action, followed by a concert featuring country-pop crossover singer, Crystal Gayle.

Series standings SIS TeamsLeagueWLGFGAPTSSão Paulo FCSérie A306224Ipswich Town F.C. First Div.214215Fort Lauderdale StrikersNASL124410Tampa Bay RowdiesNASL03494

Series results DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersJuly 24, 1982Ipswich Town F.C.H1–310,693Luis FernandoJuly 28, 1982São Paulo FCH2–38,353Luis Fernando, Refik Kozić July 31, 1982Fort Lauderdale StrikersH1–321,220 Pedro DeBrito See also

1982 North American Soccer League season 1982 in American soccer Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993)

References

1982 Rowdies results