UT To Host Four Professional Soccer Games

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's soccer program has announced that it will host four games in March 2010 that will feature the Tampa Bay Rowdies (Tampa Bay's only professional soccer team) of the NASL, along with FC Dallas and Philadelphia Union of the MLS.

The first match will take place on Sat., Mar. 6 at 7 p.m. The Tampa Bay Rowdies will meet The University of Tampa (spring team). This match will be an earthquake relief game for Haiti as all proceeds from the game will go to Haiti's Earthquake relief effort.

Newly signed Rowdie and former UT Spartan Pascal Milien will make his professional debut in his home town. Milien originally hails from Haiti. The matchup will also mark the Tampa Bay Rowdies first scrimmage of the year.

On Fri., Mar. 12 and Sun., Mar. 14, the sixth annual Tom Fitzgerald Soccer Festival will take place with two professional games. The Tom Fitzgerald soccer festival is an annual event each year with all proceeds from the featured game(s) going towards the Tom Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund at The University of Tampa. This year will feature a total of two games.

Game one is scheduled for Fri., Mar. 12 and will feature the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. FC Dallas (MLS) at 7:30 p.m. Game two is slated for Sun., Mar. 14 at 7 p.m. and will pit FC Dallas (MLS) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS).

The Tom Fitzgerald Soccer Festival normally reaches capacity seating, as it is recommended tickets are purchased in advance. The game will sell out at 1,800 fans.

The final game of this two week stretch of four professional matches takes place on Fri., Mar. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The Tampa Bay Rowdies, in their final pre-season contest, will take on the Philadelphia Union.

Tickets may be purchased online through the following link. The cost is $10 (adults) and $5 (kids 17 and under).

2010 MLS/NASL Games at The University of Tampa

Saturday March 6, 2010
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. University of Tampa (NCAA)
7 p.m. at Pepin Stadium
Haiti Earthquake Relief Game - all proceeds go to Haiti Earthquake Relief fund in the name of University of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Friday March 12, 2010
Tom Fitzgerald Soccer Festival Game #1 - all proceeds go to the Tom Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
7:30 p.m. at Pepin Stadium

Sunday March 14, 2010
Tom Fitzgerald Soccer Festival Game #2 - all proceeds go to the Tom Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund
FC Dallas (MLS) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7 p.m. at Pepin Stadium

Friday March 19, 2010
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7:30 p.m. at Pepin Stadium