A More Secure 2015

With Bill Edwards hitting the ground running last year as Tampa Bay's new owner, the Rowdies' fanbase had every reason to believe that Ricky Hill would be in a position to bring more silverware to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Ultimately, that couldn't have been any farther from the truth.

Yes, Tampa Bay made some splashes in 2014's market by way of signing Brian Shriver, 2013's NASL Golden Boot winner, the versatile Anthony Wallace and Blake Wagner, and MLS veteran goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Despite such encouraging signings, many were concerned that more wasn't done to bolster the heart of the defense, and as the dust settled, with the Rowdies well outside of the top four, these concerns were justified. Tampa Bay was leaky throughout the season, and Ricky Hill was dismissed.

Now a year on, and with further investment in the side from Edwards, Head Coach Thomas Rongen (a fantastic hire in his own right) has been able to bolster this trouble spot with immediacy and in earnest. Fan favorites such as Frankie Sanfillipo and Takuya Yamada are gone, replaced by a host of physically-imposing candidates.

It is perhaps of the utmost importance that Rongen has gone with such physical presences amongst his center back options, because even as vulnerable as the Rowdies were versus pacy players last season, they were alarmingly even softer against aerial threats. Rowdies fans can attest to the fact that set pieces and crosses were all too often viewed with trepidation, and if not for the efforts of the aforementioned Matt Pickens, Tampa Bay could have easily conceded many, many more goals.

When looking at the likes of Stefan Antonijevic (brought in from Fort Lauderdale), Brad Rusin (formerly of Orlando City and Vancouver), Tamika Mkandawire and Gale Agbossoumonde (ex-Toronto FC man), the heights of all four immediately stand out. At 6'5", 6'3", 6'1" and 6'1" respectively, there can be little doubt that whichever combination Rongen goes with in the middle will be as imposing as they come in the NASL. Moreover, all four options have the credentials to be bona fide starters. None has the appearance of merely being signed for cover or to make up the numbers.

Additionally, the recruitment of Darnell King at right back also promises to help choke off the supply line of opposing attack before the center backs can even have any questions asked of them. Having performed so admirably at Fort Lauderdale the last couple of seasons, there's no reason to think that he won't continue on this upward trajectory. Blake Wagner will also benefit by being able to get forward more from left back thanks to a more dependable defensive core.

Tampa Bay has strengthened in other aspects as well this offseason, and we'll examine those signings in greater detail as the season approaches. In the meantime, the prowess and grit of 2015's back line looks to give Rowdies fans plenty of reason to think that this campaign will be far more fruitful.