The 1982 season was the original Tampa Bay Rowdies eighth season of existence, and their eighth season in the North American Soccer League, the then-top division of soccer in the United States and Canada. In the 1982 season, the Rowdies finished third in the Southern Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Brazilian striker, Luís Fernando lead the club in scoring, with 16 goals in the regular season and 25 across all competitions.
Club
Roster
Management and technical staff
began the season as head coach but stepped down the day after a 2–1 loss to the Chicago Sting on July 7. Although Al Miller was immediately named as Jago's successor, assistant coach Kevin Keelan served as the interim head coach for one match at San Diego on July 10. Miller joined the team the following day. Keelan also filled in as coach on July 31, during the Sunshine International Series, while Miller attended his daughter's wedding in Dallas. Other members of the staff included the team's trainer, Ken Shields and equipment manager, Alfredo Beronda.
Tampa Bay finished their preseason exhibition schedule undefeated with three victories over other NASL teams, one victory over an NCAA Division I squad, one victory over an NCAA Division II squad, and a draw versus the Honduras National Team as that squad prepared for the upcoming 1982 FIFA World Cup.
The Rowdies finished the regular season with 112 points placing them in 3rd place out of four teams in the Southern Division, and 12th out of 14 teams in the league overall. It also marked the first time Tampa Bay failed to qualify for the NASL playoffs in eight seasons. Predictably, as the losses mounted attendance dipped, with only a handful of home games reaching the 20,000 mark. Two of those were rivalry games against Fort Lauderdale and New York. One match was followed by a massive Fourth of July fireworks display, while another preceded a free concert featuring music legends, Chuck Berry and The Drifters. The remaining 20,000+ crowd showed up for the opening night of the season.
Regular season standings
Regular season results
Sunshine International Series
The Sunshine International Series was the first international competition to use the NASL’s point system to determine the standings. As such, teams were awarded six points for wins in regulation or overtime, four points for a shoot–out win, and up to three bonus points for each goal scored in regulation. All four teams faced one another. The Rowdies netted four goals and were winless in the series. On the final day of the competition a double header was played at Tampa Stadium with all four teams in action, followed by a concert featuring country-pop crossover singer, Crystal Gayle.
