Tampa Bay Rowdies
Leo Fernandes currently serves as a Talent Scout for the U.S. Soccer Federation, a role taken on in May 2023. Concurrently, Leo has been a Professional Athlete with the Tampa Bay Rowdies since January 2017, following a period as a Professional Athlete with the Philadelphia Union from January 2013 to December 2016. Leo is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management at Bellevue University, with an expected graduation in May 2024, and has previously attended Stony Brook University from September 2009 to November 2012.
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are the professional soccer team in St. Petersburg, Florida, a part of the United Soccer League Championship (USL). Home games are played at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. The Rowdies were the first professional sports franchise in the area and remain one of the most recognizable and well-loved brands in soccer. Originally established in 1975, the team won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship in its inaugural year and created a unique, entertaining and memorable franchise with the Fannies, Wowdies and unforgettable Kick in the Grass theme song. In 2008, a group of investors announced the purchase of rights to a professional soccer franchise and the newly established team began play in 2010. In 2012, the Rowdies won the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship after a thrilling shoot-out victory in front of a sold out crowd at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. In December of 2013, St. Petersburg philanthropist Bill Edwards announced he acquired the controlling interest of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In October of 2018 the Tampa Bay Rays and Stuart Sternberg purchased the Rowdies.