Tampa Bay Mutiny Historical Moments
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The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a professional soccer club located in Tampa, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1996–2001. The club played its home games at Houlihan's Stadium from 1996–1998 and at Raymond James Stadium from 1999 onwards. Major League Soccer's contraction following the 2001 season reduced the league from 12 to 10 teams, with the two Florida clubs, the Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, ceasing operations.
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Tampa Bay Mutiny 1996:
On April 13th, The Mutiny were welcomed to Tampa with their inaugural game against the New England Revolution. The result was a 3-2 Mutiny victory. There were many stars on the team including Carlos Valderrama, Steve Ralston and scoring machine Roy Lassiter, who scored a record 26 goals in the season. The team was also coached by Thomas Rongen. As for the season, the Mutiny claimed the best record in the league at 20-12 and were the first winners of the Supporter's Shield. In the playoffs, they would be taken to a third game by the Columbus Crew before eliminating them. In the conference final, though, the Mutiny's remarkable season would come to an end as they were swept by eventual champions DC United.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1997:
In a season that saw coach Thomas Rongen leave to take the New England Revolution's vacancy, the Mutiny would replace him with John Kowalski. Under him, the Mutiny would continue to play well and finished the season with a record of 17-15. But the Columbus Crew would get revenge on the Mutiny for the previous year by sweeping them. After the season, Kowalski resigned from the club.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1998:
In addition to getting a new coach, Tim Hankinson, Star Carlos Valderrama would leave his original club to join their new Florida counterparts, the Fusion. As a result, the Mutiny would struggle through the season, finishing with a record of 12-20 and miss the playoffs for the first time.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1999:
Looking to rebound from their disappointing year, the Mutiny would get back Carlos Valderrama, and statistically and record-wise, didn't help the team much, but even with a record of 14-18, the Mutiny would make a return to the playoffs. But like two years ago, they would be swept by the Columbus Crew in the first round.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 2000:
The Mutiny would struggle through the first half of the season, but would pick it up again near the end of the season, finishing with a mediocre 16-12-4 record. But in the first round of the playoffs as the 4th seed, the Mutiny would be swept by the 5th seed Los Angeles Galaxy.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 2001:
Coach Alfonso Mondelo replaced the fired Tim Hankinson and the Mutiny would struggle mightily. In the middle of the season, Mondelo was fired and Perry Van DerBeck attempted to revive the struggling franchise.
On September 4, the Mutiny would drop a 2-1 decision to the Columbus Crew, and their record stood at 4-21-2. Unfortunately, that would be the last game the Tampa Bay Mutiny would ever play as the September 11th attacks on America cancelled the rest of the season.
The Mutiny, along with the Miami Fusion, ceased operations on January 8, 2002 because they couldn't find local ownership and the horrible season seemed to drive fans away.
Source: Sports Ecyclopedia)
On April 13th, The Mutiny were welcomed to Tampa with their inaugural game against the New England Revolution. The result was a 3-2 Mutiny victory. There were many stars on the team including Carlos Valderrama, Steve Ralston and scoring machine Roy Lassiter, who scored a record 26 goals in the season. The team was also coached by Thomas Rongen. As for the season, the Mutiny claimed the best record in the league at 20-12 and were the first winners of the Supporter's Shield. In the playoffs, they would be taken to a third game by the Columbus Crew before eliminating them. In the conference final, though, the Mutiny's remarkable season would come to an end as they were swept by eventual champions DC United.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1997:
In a season that saw coach Thomas Rongen leave to take the New England Revolution's vacancy, the Mutiny would replace him with John Kowalski. Under him, the Mutiny would continue to play well and finished the season with a record of 17-15. But the Columbus Crew would get revenge on the Mutiny for the previous year by sweeping them. After the season, Kowalski resigned from the club.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1998:
In addition to getting a new coach, Tim Hankinson, Star Carlos Valderrama would leave his original club to join their new Florida counterparts, the Fusion. As a result, the Mutiny would struggle through the season, finishing with a record of 12-20 and miss the playoffs for the first time.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1999:
Looking to rebound from their disappointing year, the Mutiny would get back Carlos Valderrama, and statistically and record-wise, didn't help the team much, but even with a record of 14-18, the Mutiny would make a return to the playoffs. But like two years ago, they would be swept by the Columbus Crew in the first round.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 2000:
The Mutiny would struggle through the first half of the season, but would pick it up again near the end of the season, finishing with a mediocre 16-12-4 record. But in the first round of the playoffs as the 4th seed, the Mutiny would be swept by the 5th seed Los Angeles Galaxy.
Tampa Bay Mutiny 2001:
Coach Alfonso Mondelo replaced the fired Tim Hankinson and the Mutiny would struggle mightily. In the middle of the season, Mondelo was fired and Perry Van DerBeck attempted to revive the struggling franchise.
On September 4, the Mutiny would drop a 2-1 decision to the Columbus Crew, and their record stood at 4-21-2. Unfortunately, that would be the last game the Tampa Bay Mutiny would ever play as the September 11th attacks on America cancelled the rest of the season.
The Mutiny, along with the Miami Fusion, ceased operations on January 8, 2002 because they couldn't find local ownership and the horrible season seemed to drive fans away.
Source: Sports Ecyclopedia)
More links and the history of Tampa Bay Soccer: