Now that Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo and Tim Howard and most of the other World Cup stars sans Messi and the German front have finished making their mark on the global futbol stage (Spokesmodel Adriana Lima has had quite the effect on me), the American soccer landscape reboots itself with the NASL Fall Season when the Tampa Bay Rowdies host the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday 7:30 p.m. match at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg.
This week’s version of the Rowdies’ grassroots marketing genius has two tasty items in store for fans.
First, all fans who purchase a ticket will get to join other green-and-gold supporters at a tailgate party sponsored by United World Soccer. The event will last from 5-7 p.m. and include free food, beer, soft drinks, and live entertainment. In addition, the first 1,000 fans will receive a limited edition t-shirt and other prizes from United World Soccer.
The second item will occur during the match when one lucky fan will be randomly selected for a chance to win $5,000 in cash. The way it works is a fan with a scanned ticket will be chosen during the first half to sit in the VIP field-side seating during the second half and if the Rowdies score between the 75th and 78th minute, that fan walks away with the money.
The minutes represent 1975, the year the original Tampa Bay Rowdies franchise was founded, and 1978, when club legend and current General Manager Perry Van Der Beck was drafted.
To be eligible for the contest, fans must have their ticket scanned by 7:45 p.m. sharp. Fans entering after the deadline will be ineligible.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (877)ROWDIES or visit rowdiessoccer.com.