Mkandawire signs for Tampa Bay

[USAShrimper]

Tam signed for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL. Did well on his debut when he came on.

 

[Silencer]

To be fair it's great life experience if he plays out there, even if it's a year or too. Good luck to him

 

[tia]

Good move for him and should be a great experience for him and his family

 

[rlb999]

Great move. Can 100% understand why he fancies a bit of this.

 

[Tampa Blue]

Well I can certainly vouch for the standard of living being so much better than the UK, but the standard of soccer is so much worse.

The English connection at Tampa Bay Rowdies grows though with the manager being Ricky Hill (ex Luton), his son plays also, then there is Leon Cort's brother Carl,ex Norwich and Stoke midfielder Darryl Russell and ex Bristol Rovers player manager Stuart Campbell and now Tamika!

 

[USAShrimper]

That's why I knew he'd be signing to play in a lesser league like the NASL. The days of English journeyman players playing in the MSL are long gone. The standard is so much higher now, and with the limitations on foreign players, it's the likes of David Beckham, .Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard that fit the bill. Tam will do well and if he has a plan, can make a good life for him and his family here.

 

[Fiftyone]

Well I can certainly vouch for the standard of living being so much better than the UK, but the standard of soccer is so much worse.

The English connection at Tampa Bay Rowdies grows though with the manager being Ricky Hill (ex Luton), his son plays also, then there is Leon Cort's brother Carl,ex Norwich and Stoke midfielder Darryl Russell and ex Bristol Rovers player manager Stuart Campbell and now Tamika!

As a matter of interest, what is the average crowd at a Rowdies game?.

 

[Tampa Blue]

As a matter of interest, what is the average crowd at a Rowdies game?.

Well last season was just over 4,000 but it seems a lot less as it's a 3 sided stadium which has very little atmosphere, so be warned if FF is initially 3 sides.

The games have a pre season feel about them and are played at about 75% of an English game.

i did recommend a forward they have who is from Bulgaria called Stoichkov who is 28 and a classy player (reminds me of Andy Thomson) but had no follow up interest.

 

[Tampa Blue]

That's why I knew he'd be signing to play in a lesser league like the NASL. The days of English journeyman players playing in the MSL are long gone. The standard is so much higher now, and with the limitations on foreign players, it's the likes of David Beckham, .Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard that fit the bill. Tam will do well and if he has a plan, can make a good life for him and his family here.

Agree....ish, but Lloyd Sam is playing for New York isn't he?

 

[usa_shrimper]

Yeah I think I'm gonna stick to going to Tampa to watch Bucs games...:smile:

 

[Tampa Blue]

Yeah I think I'm gonna stick to going to Tampa to watch Bucs games...:smile:

Pm me and we can meet up!

 

[Jam_Man]

That's why I knew he'd be signing to play in a lesser league like the NASL. The days of English journeyman players playing in the MSL are long gone. The standard is so much higher now, and with the limitations on foreign players, it's the likes of David Beckham, .Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard that fit the bill. Tam will do well and if he has a plan, can make a good life for him and his family here.

Bradley Wright Phillips is banging them in for fun for NY Red Bulls. If he isnt an English Journeyman Im not sure who is!

 

[USAShrimper]

The visa situation is so complex with the MLS and foreign players, that certain lesser players can find loop holes that allow them to not count. Loyd Sam is probably on a African passport ( Senagalise or Ghanaian) Wright Philips not sure. However, there are all differernt kind of visas, J1, F1 OPT that may be used if they meet a certain criteria to skirt the foreign rule.
Anyway, good luck to TAM

 

[Jam_Man]

Yeah forgot about Lloyd Sam.

Quality wise Im sure Tam could have played at their level, but if there are restrictions on overseas players then that would explain it.