1976 Tampa Bay Rowdies season
1976 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Owner | ![]() | ||
General manager | ![]() | ||
Manager | ![]() | ||
Stadium | Tampa Stadium | ||
NASL | Division: 1st Overall: 1st Playoffs: Conference finals | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Did not enter | ||
Top goalscorer | ![]() | ||
Highest home attendance | 42,611 (June 6 v. New York) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 7,276 (June 23 v. Rochester) | ||
Average home league attendance | 16,452 | ||
| |||
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 | ![]() |
1 | GK | Bob Stetler | ![]() |
2 | MF | Farrukh Quraishi | ![]() |
3 | DF | Alex Pringle | ![]() |
4 | DF | Tommy Smith (capt.) | ![]() |
5 | DF | Ringo Cantillo | ![]() |
6 | DF | Colin Fowles | ![]() |
7 | FW | Stewart Scullion | ![]() |
8 | MF | Randy Garber | ![]() |
9 | FW | Clyde Best | ![]() |
10 | FW | Rodney Marsh | ![]() |
11 | FW | Doug Wark | ![]() |
11 | MF | Dennis Wit | ![]() |
12 | FW | Derek Smethurst | ![]() |
13 | DF | Stewart Jump | ![]() |
14 | FW | Joey Fink | ![]() |
15 | MF | Mark Lindsay | ![]() |
16 | DF | John Bluem | ![]() |
17 | FW | Eddie Austin | ![]() |
18 | DF | Arsène Auguste | ![]() |
19 | MF | Len Glover | ![]() |
Management and technical staff[]
George W. Strawbridge, Jr., owner
Beau Rodgers, general manager
Eddie Firmani, head coach
Ken Shields, trainer
Francisco Marcos, public relations director
Alfredo Beronda, equipment manager
Honors[]
Seven different Rowdies received nine individual honors following the 1976 NASL season.[4][5][6][7]
- 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.[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[]
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 13, 1976 | ![]() |
Stade Sylvio Cator | 1–1 | 21,000 | Joe Fink |
January 15, 1976 | ![]() |
Stade Sylvio Cator | 1–0 | 21,000 | – |
January 17, 1976 | ![]() |
Stade Sylvio Cator | 1–4 | 21,500 | Joe Fink (2), Rodney Marsh, Doug Wark |
January 19, 1976 | ![]() |
Stade Sylvio Cator | 1–2 | 13,000 | Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst |
April 9, 1976 | ![]() |
Ihrig Field | 1–2 | 2,845 | Clyde Best |
April 10, 1976 | ![]() |
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 Rowdies | 18 | 6 | 58 | 30 | 46 | 154 | 12-0 | 6-6 |
New York Cosmos | 16 | 8 | 65 | 34 | 52 | 148 | 9-3 | 7-5 |
Washington Diplomats | 14 | 10 | 46 | 38 | 42 | 126 | 10-2 | 4-8 |
Philadelphia Atoms | 8 | 16 | 32 | 49 | 32 | 80 | 6-6 | 2-10 |
Miami Toros | 6 | 18 | 29 | 58 | 27 | 63 | 4-8 | 2-10 |
Regular season results[]
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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[]
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Smethurst | 24 | 20 | 5 | 45 |
Rodney Marsh | 21 | 11 | 9 | 31 |
Stewart Scullion | 24 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
Clyde Best | 19 | 9 | 6 | 24 |
Mark Lindsay | 21 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
Len Glover | 14 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
Joey Fink | 9 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Ringo Cantillo | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Dennis Wit | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Stewart Jump | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Alex Pringle | 22 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Randy Garber | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Arnie Mausser | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Arsène Auguste | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tommy Smith | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Farrukh Quraishi | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
John Bluem | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Doug Wark | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eddie Austin | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bob Stetler | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Colin Fowles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 Mausser | 24 | 2011 | 201 | 28 | 1.17 | 18 | 6 |
Bob 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[3]
Player | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rodney Marsh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Derek Smethurst | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Stewart Scullion | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Alex Pringle | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Clyde Best | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mark Lindsay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Len Glover | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Joey Fink | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ringo Cantillo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stewart Jump | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Arnie Mausser | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tommy Smith | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eddie Austin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dennis Wit | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 Mausser | 2 | 180 | 17 | 3 | 1.50 | 1 | 1 |
Player movement[]
In[]
No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred From | Fee/Notes | Date | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | FW | ![]() |
![]() |
purchased | November 18, 1975 | [14] |
1 | GK | ![]() |
![]() |
purchased | November 25, 1975 | [15] |
10 | FW | ![]() |
![]() |
$100,000 transfer fee | January 11, 1976 | [16] |
6 | DF | ![]() |
![]() |
amateur draft | January 14, 1976 | [17] |
4 | DF | ![]() |
![]() |
on loan | February 24, 1976 | [18] |
5 | DF | ![]() |
![]() |
on loan | April 20, 1976 | [19] |
19 | MF | ![]() |
![]() |
on loan | April 22, 1976 | [20][21] |
11 | MF | ![]() |
![]() |
player trade | July 12, 1976 | [22] |
Out[]
No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred To | Fee/Notes | Date | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | ![]() |
![]() |
returned from loan | August 28, 1975 | [23] |
14 | FW | ![]() |
![]() |
returned from loan | August 28, 1975 | [24] |
4 | MF | ![]() |
none | released | September 13, 1975 | [25] |
6 | DF | ![]() |
none | compulsory military service | December 17, 1975 | [26][27] |
1 | GK | ![]() |
![]() |
sold contract | February 20, 1976 | [28] |
7 | MF | ![]() |
![]() |
on loan | April 7, 1976 | [29] |
5 | DF | ![]() |
![]() |
sold contract | April 14, 1976 | [30] |
8 | MF | ![]() |
![]() |
traded for draft pick | May 17, 1976 | [31] |
10 | FW | ![]() |
![]() |
traded for draft pick | June 10, 1976 | [32] |
11 | FW | ![]() |
![]() |
player trade | July 12, 1976 | [33] |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Marsh to captain". Bradenton Herald. April 22, 1976. p. D-2. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Martz, Ron (May 24, 1976). "Wanted: a rowdy Rowdie to unite team". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Rowdies statistics". St. Petersburg Times. August 18, 1976. p. 2-C. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (August 28, 1976). "Mausser Top American In NASL Voting". Tampa Tribune. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (August 24, 1976). "Firmani Named Top NASL Coach". Tampa Tribune. p. 4-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Blankenship, Ken (August 16, 1976). "Smethurst gets raw deal..." St. Petersburg Times. p. 7C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Mudry, Richard (August 16, 1976). "Six Rowdies picked on NASL star teams". Tampa Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies tie in Haiti exhibition". The Tampa Times. January 14, 1976. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Hatians nip Rowdies 1–0". St. Petersburg Times. January 16, 1976. p. 6C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies Win 4–1". Tampa Tribune. January 18, 1976. p. 3D. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies end trip with 2–1 victory". St. Petersburg Times. January 20, 1976. p. 3C. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ Ledman, Gary (April 10, 1976). "Thunder storms by Rowdies". Bradenton Herald. p. B-6. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ Ford, Tom (April 11, 1976). "Rowdies Scoreless But Manage A Tie". Tampa Tribune. p. 7D. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies buy Cosmos' striker". St. Petersburg Times. November 19, 1975. p. 2C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies buy goalkeeper". Fort Lauderdale News. November 26, 1975. p. 5D. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Marsh Sign With Rowdies". Tampa Tribune. January 12, 1976. p. 1C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Brown's Ralbovsky First in NASL Draft". Ithaca Journal. January 15, 1976. p. 18. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Fiery Tommy Smith gives NASL Rowdies new field general". St. Petersburg Times. February 25, 1976. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies Get Ringo Back On Loan". Tampa Tribune. April 21, 1976. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies roster". St. Petersburg Times. April 23, 1976. p. 9C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies expect Boston's defense to 'pack it in'". St. Petersburg Times. April 29, 1976. p. 8C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies obtain Wit for Wark". The Tampa Times. July 12, 1976. p. 3-C. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ Mudry, Richard (August 28, 1975). "Six English loan players to leave Rowdies today". The Tampa Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (August 28, 1975). "Loaners Head Home". Tampa Tribune. p. 9-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "Rowdies release Boyle". St. Petersburg Times. September 14, 1975. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (December 18, 1975). "Rowdies "Kick Off" Soccer Year Sunday". Tampa Tribune. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Blankenship, Ken (February 21, 1976). "Rowdies buy midfielder Lindsay". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (February 21, 1976). "Rowdies To Sign Lindsay Today; Hewitt Leaves". Tampa Tribune. p. 6C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Mudry, Richard (April 8, 1976). "Scullion's second great hope:". Tampa Times. p. 6-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Mudry, Richard (April 15, 1976). "Rowdies Sell Linton To Aztecs". Tampa Tribune. p. 8-D. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Blankenship, Ken (May 18, 1976). "Rowdies ship American Garber to Los Angeles". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "Thursday's Events". Ft. Myers News-Press. June 11, 1976. p. 2C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Jim (July 13, 1976). "Rowdies' Winger Wark Traded For Jaw Winger Wit". Tampa Tribune. p. 5-C. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- 1976 North American Soccer League season
- Tampa Bay Rowdies seasons
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993) seasons
- American soccer clubs 1976 season
- 1976 in sports in Florida
- Sports in Tampa, Florida