It was an impressive debut for VSI Tampa Bay FC April 13, as the Flames won their first USL PRO home opener in a 3-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos.
After a lease agreement was approved March 25, VisionPro Sports Institute had a short timeframe to convert Plant City Stadium into a professional soccer facility.
More than 1,000 fans came to watch Tampa Bay FC, an expansion team in the United Soccer League, notch the historic win.
“Coming late to the market and really putting things together in just 10 days is a tough task in itself, but I’m very pleased,” said Director of Soccer Clay Roberts, a Plant City High School alumnus. “We love Plant City, we love being in this stadium, and it’s exactly what we want. The setup is great. Now, we just have to get the fans to continue to come out. Getting the attendance we did on the first night is a great start.”
VSI knows the key in building a fan base is to put a good product on the field. The Flames were successful in doing that in their home opener, shutting out Rochester — an established USL team — and getting three goals against reigning USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year Kristian Nicht.
“This was a fantastic result, and we got what we really deserved,” said head coach Matt Weston after the game. “We’re excited to be able to put three points on the board against one of the best teams in the league. The Rochester Rhinos have been one of the most successful franchises underneath MLS, so to beat them 3-0 in our home opener is really a dream come true.”
VSI Tampa Bay FC hopes to establish itself as a known and respected professional soccer team, much like nearby Orlando City, which averaged 6,600 fans in USL matches last season at the Citrus Bowl.
“We want to send a message that this is going to be a tough place to play and that there’s not just one team off of Interstate 4 in the Central Florida area that they need to worry about,” said VSI’s Josh Rife, a 10-year veteran defenseman.
VSI will be practicing this week and for the rest of the season at Florida College, keeping the field at Plant City Stadium in pristine condition. The Flames will remain home this weekend as they host the Los Angeles Blues at 6:30 p.m. April 21.
VSI defeated the Blues in L.A. 1-0 April 2, for the franchise’s first USL PRO win.
“This win definitely helped us and is a move into the right direction,” said forward Karamba Janneh, a fan favorite who scored VSI’s first goal against Rochester in extra time in the first half. “It was a great game last time, and we’re looking forward to facing (L.A.) again.”