Tampa Bay Rowdies join new professional outdoor soccer league

The new Tampa Bay Rowdies have joined a new professional outdoor league scheduled to begin play in April.

Team spokeswoman Megan Danner on Friday confirmed the move by the Rowdies, who were originally scheduled to participate in the United Soccer League's First Division.

The new outdoor league, which has yet to be named, was introduced last week. It includes several teams that are leaving the USL's First and Second divisions.

The nine-team league also includes the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tampa Bay joined the league this week along with Crystal Palace Baltimore, a USL Second Division team.

Last week the Rowdies hired former professional player Paul Dalglish as their coach. The second of four planned invitation-only player combines is scheduled for mid December in England.

The Rowdies are scheduled to announce plans for a new stadium next month. Initial plans to build a stadium off the Veterans Expressway in northwest Hillsborough County fell through.