Tampa Bay Mutiny

Soccer club

Tampa Bay Mutiny

Full name| Tampa Bay Mutiny
Nickname(s)| Mutiny
Founded| November 16, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-11-16)
Dissolved| January 8, 2002; 23 years ago (2002-01-08)
Stadium| Tampa Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Capacity| 74,301
65,857
League| Major League Soccer

Home colors

Away colors

Third colors

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The Tampa Bay Mutiny were an American professional soccer team based in Tampa, Florida. The club competed in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The Mutiny were a charter member of MLS, playing from 1996 to 2001. The team played its home games at Tampa Stadium and then at Raymond James Stadium.

The Mutiny were established in 1994 and were owned and operated by MLS throughout its entire existence. The team was successful in their first years of play, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in 1996 remained the MLS single-season record until 2018. However, in subsequent years, dropping attendance and revenues became problems, especially as the team's on-field success declined and the lease at its second home field of Raymond James Stadium removed sources of gameday revenues. Owing to these issues, MLS attempted without success to find a local ownership group to take over operations from the league, and both the Mutiny and the league's other Florida-based team, the Miami Fusion, were folded before the 2002 season.

## History

[edit]

In 1994, newly established Major League Soccer announced it would place one of its charter franchises in the Tampa Bay Area.[1] The region was seen as a potentially fertile market for soccer due to the success of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the old North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 1980s.[2] The Mutiny took the field in 1996 when MLS began play. While the Mutiny had no direct connection to the Rowdies franchise, the Mutiny occasionally paid tribute to its predecessor by wearing green and gold alternative kits, once wearing both the Mutiny and Rowdies logos on the same shirt.[3]

The Mutiny were owned and operated by MLS along with two other teams, the Dallas Burn and the San Jose Clash, with the league hoping eventually sell the franchises to private local owners.[4] The team managed strong signings in 1995, including Carlos Valderrama, Roy Lassiter, and Martín Vásquez.[5] They were successful in their first two years, particularly in 1996, when they won the first Supporters' Shield with the best regular-season finish behind Most Valuable Player Carlos Valderrama and Golden Boot winner Roy Lassiter.[6]

On April 13, 1996, the Mutiny played their inaugural game against the New England Revolution, winning 3–2. Led by manager Thomas Rongen and Roy Lassiter, who scored a record 27 goals in the season, the Mutiny claimed the best record in the league at 20–12 and were the first winners (retroactively) of the Supporters' Shield. In the playoffs, they beat the Columbus Crew before losing in the conference final to eventual champions D.C. United.[7]

In 1997, Thomas Rongen took over the New England Revolution, and was replaced by John Kowalski. Under him, the Mutiny finished the season with a record of 17–15, but were swept in the playoffs by the Columbus Crew. After the season, Kowalski resigned from the club. 1998 saw Tim Hankinson join the club as the new manager while star player Carlos Valderrama joined new MLS side Miami Fusion. As a result, the Mutiny would struggle through the season, finishing with a record of 12–20, missing the playoffs for the first time.[7]

Raymond James Stadium was home to the Mutiny from 1999 to 2001.

In 1999, the Mutiny reacquired Valderrama. Despite this, they struggled, being swept by the Columbus Crew in the first round of the playoffs, which they qualified for despite having a losing record. In the 2000 season, the Mutiny finished with a 16–12–4 record after rebounding from a poor start to the campaign. However, they were swept by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round of the playoffs. In 2001, Tim Hankinson was fired, but struggles continued with successors Alfonso Mondelo and Perry Van der Beck. Mondelo was fired midseason, and neither manager could revive the struggling franchise. On September 4, the Mutiny lost 2–1 to the Columbus Crew in what would be their last ever match. They managed just four wins and two draws, recording 21 losses over the course of the campaign.[7]

The city of Tampa demolished Tampa Stadium in 1998, and the Mutiny moved to new Raymond James Stadium for the 1999 season with a much less favorable lease.[8] The club was hampered by declining attendance and low revenues which were exacerbated by a lease agreement that transferred most match day revenue to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, resulting in an inability to secure a local ownership group.[9] In 2001, the Mutiny had the worst record in MLS with only four wins in twenty-seven matches on the season and drew an average attendance of under 11,000 per game, among the league's lowest.[10] Faced with financial losses up to $2 million a year, MLS courted Malcolm Glazer and his family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Football League team, to purchase the Mutiny. The Glazers considered the deal but ultimately declined, leaving the league with no prospective owners willing to take over the team. MLS folded the Mutiny, as well as its other Florida-based team, the Miami Fusion, in 2002.[11][2] The Glazers would purchase Manchester United in 2005.

While Major League Soccer has not had a team in the Tampa Bay area since the folding of the Mutiny, a preseason game on February 14, 2025 between the two current Florida teams Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF at Raymond James Stadium was the first MLS game in the area since 2001.[12]

## Honors

[edit]

### Team

[edit]

* MLS Supporters' Shield:

1996

* Eastern Conference (Regular Season Winners):

1996

* Copa de Puerto Rico

2000[13][14]

### Players

[edit]

* MLS Most Valuable Player:

1996 Carlos Valderrama

* MLS Rookie of the Year Award: (2)

1996 Steve Ralston
1997 Mike Duhaney

* MLS Golden Boot: (2)

1996 Roy Lassiter (27g, 4a)
2000 Mamadou Diallo (26g, 4a)

* MLS Fair Play Award: (2)

1999 Steve Ralston
2000 Steve Ralston

* MLS Best XI selections (7)

1996 Carlos Valderrama, Roy Lassiter
1997 Carlos Valderrama
1999 Steve Ralston
2000 Carlos Valderrama, Steve Ralston, Mamadou Diallo

* MLS All-Star Game MVP: (3)

1996 Carlos Valderrama
1997 Carlos Valderrama
2000 Mamadou Diallo

* MLS All-Star Game starters: (10)

1996 Carlos Valderrama, Roy Lassiter, Martín Vásquez, Cle Kooiman
1997 Carlos Valderrama
1998 Frankie Hejduk, Jan Eriksson
1999 Carlos Valderrama
2000 Carlos Valderrama, Steve Ralston

* MLS All-Star Game reserves: (10)

1996 Mark Dougherty, Steve Pittman
1997 Giuseppe Galderisi, Steve Ralston, Frank Yallop
1998 Thomas Ravelli, Mauricio Ramos
2000 Mamadou Diallo, Scott Garlick
2001 Mamadou Diallo

* MLS records:

26 assists in one season: Carlos Valderrama in 2000
MLS All-Star Game MVP: Carlos Valderrama in 1996 & 1997

* Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame:

2004 Frank Yallop

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### Coach and administration

[edit]

* MLS Coach of the Year Award:

1996 Thomas Rongen

* MLS Executive of the Year Award:

1999 Nick Sakiewicz[15]

* MLS Operations Executive of the Year Award: (2)

1996 Eddie Austin
2001 Eddie Austin

## Players

[edit]

Further information: All-time Tampa Bay Mutiny roster

## Head coaches

[edit]

* Thomas Rongen (1996)
* John Kowalski (1997–98)
* Tim Hankinson (1998–00)
* Alfonso Mondelo (2001)
* Perry Van der Beck (2001)

## Team records

[edit]

* Games:  Steve Ralston (177)
* Goals:  Roy Lassiter (37)
* Assists:  Carlos Valderrama (81)
* Shutouts:  Scott Garlick (11)

## Home stadiums

[edit]

* Tampa Stadium (1996–1998)
* Raymond James Stadium (1999–2001)

## Year-by-year

[edit]

Main article: List of Tampa Bay Mutiny seasons

## See also

[edit]

* Florida portal

* Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship
* Fort Lauderdale–Tampa Bay rivalry

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. p. 15\. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
2. ^ a b Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. p. 130\. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
3. ^ "Carlos Valderrama, Tampa Bay Mutiny, 2000". Pintrest. 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
4. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. pp. 16, 130. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
5. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. pp. 18, 24. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
6. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. p. 38\. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
7. ^ a b c "Tampa Bay Mutiny – Sports Ecyclopedia". Retrieved August 10, 2021.
8. ^ ""Mutiny Renews Lease" – St. Pete Times". sptimes.com.
9. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. pp. 129–130\. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
10. ^ Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Potomac Books. p. 129\. ISBN 978-1597975094. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
11. ^ ""MLS fold Mutiny" – St. Pete Times". sptimes.com.
12. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (November 4, 2024). "Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to play preseason match in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
13. ^ "Mutiny set for three games in Puerto Rico". St. Petersburg Times. February 22, 2000. Retrieved April 25, 2017 – via Google News.
14. ^ "Copa Puerto Rico (San Juan) 2000". RSSSF.
15. ^ "1999 MLS "Executive of the Year" Nick Sakiewicz Takes Over The MetroStars - by La Cancha World Cup 2002 & Super Soccer Mall". www.lacancha.com.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website (archived December 2, 2001)
* Tampa Bay Mutiny on St. Petersburg Times
* BigSoccer.Com: Central Florida Superthread (Part 2)
* SportsEcyclopedia.Com: Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001)

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Mutiny

Tampa, Florida

The Club|

* History
* Players
* Head coaches
* Seasons

Stadiums|

* Houlihan's Stadium
* Raymond James Stadium

Culture|

* MLS contraction

Rivalries|

* Miami Fusion

Key personnel|

Owner
None, operated by league offices

Honors (2)

Supporters' Shield (1)|

* 1996

Copa de Puerto Rico (1)|

* 2000

Major League Soccer

Seasons (6)|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001

* v
* t
* e

Major League Soccer

* Seasons
* 2025 season
* Records and statistics
* 400 or more appearances
* 100 or more goals
* Hat-tricks
* Players Association
* Rivalry cups
* History
* Timeline
* Expansion
* U.S. Soccer
* Canada Soccer

Eastern Conference|

* Atlanta United FC
* Charlotte FC
* Chicago Fire FC
* FC Cincinnati
* Columbus Crew
* D.C. United
* Inter Miami CF
* CF Montréal
* Nashville SC
* New England Revolution
* New York City FC
* New York Red Bulls
* Orlando City SC
* Philadelphia Union
* Toronto FC

Western Conference|

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Diego FC
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* St. Louis City SC
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Former teams|

* Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001)
* Miami Fusion (1998–2001)
* Chivas USA (2005–2014)

Personnel|

* Foreign players
* National team players
* International slots
* Designated Players
* Homegrown Players
* Generation Adidas Cup
* Transfers
* Coaches
* Owners
* Professional Referee Organization
* Professional Soccer Referees Association

Competition|

* MLS Cup
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Trophy
* Supporters' Shield
* SuperDraft
* Stadiums
* Attendance
* Television
* Broadcasters
* All-Star Game
* MLS Cup

Associated
competitions|

* All-Star Game
* MLS Next
* CONCACAF Champions Cup
* Campeones Cup
* Leagues Cup
* U.S. Open Cup
* Canadian Championship
* Reserve League
* eMLS Cup
* MLS is Back Tournament
* MLS Next
* MLS Next Pro

Other|

* Generation Adidas
* Performance in Champions Cup
* Hall of Fame
* Valuations
* Central Division (2000–2001)
* Fraser v. Major League Soccer (2002)

* Category
* Portal
* Multimedia

* v
* t
* e

Major League Soccer charter members, 1996

* Colorado Rapids
* Columbus Crew
* D.C. United
* Dallas Burn
* Kansas City Wiz
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* New England Revolution
* NY/NJ Metrostars
* San Jose Clash
* Tampa Bay Mutiny

* v
* t
* e

MLS Supporters' Shield winners

* 1996: Tampa Bay Mutiny
* 1997: D.C. United
* 1998: LA Galaxy
* 1999: D.C. United
* 2000: Kansas City Wizards
* 2001: Miami Fusion
* 2002: LA Galaxy
* 2003: Chicago Fire
* 2004: Columbus Crew
* 2005: San Jose Earthquakes
* 2006: D.C. United
* 2007: D.C. United
* 2008: Columbus Crew
* 2009: Columbus Crew
* 2010: LA Galaxy
* 2011: LA Galaxy
* 2012: San Jose Earthquakes
* 2013: New York Red Bulls
* 2014: Seattle Sounders FC
* 2015: New York Red Bulls
* 2016: FC Dallas
* 2017: Toronto FC
* 2018: New York Red Bulls
* 2019: Los Angeles FC
* 2020: Philadelphia Union
* 2021: New England Revolution
* 2022: Los Angeles FC
* 2023: FC Cincinnati
* 2024: Inter Miami CF

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