Tampa Bay Sun FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Tampa, Florida, United States. The team is an inaugural member of the USL Super League, a new Division I league operated by the United Soccer League, and debuted in 2024. Sun FC is owned by real estate developer and investor Darryl Shaw, Bern's Steak House owner David Laxer, and former BluePearl executive Jeff Fox.[1]
 | |||
| Founded | May 16, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Riverfront Stadium Tampa, Florida | ||
| Owner | Jeff Fox David Laxer Darryl Shaw | ||
| President | Christina Unkel | ||
| Head coach | Denise Schilte-Brown | ||
| League | USL Super League | ||
| Website | https://www.tampabaysunfc.com/ | ||
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History
editEstablishment
editThe Tampa Bay area was named as one of the initial USL Super League markets on May 16, 2023.[2] On July 15, 2023, South Florida Bulls women's soccer head coach Denise Schilte-Brown was named as Sun's first-ever head coach, and former FIFA referee Christina Unkel was named as club president.[3][4]
Inaugural season
editLongtime University of South Florida women's soccer coach, Denise Schilte-Brown was announced as Tampa's head coach in July 2023.[5]
The first signings were announced by the club on April 23, 2024. Erika Tymrak was the first player signed to the inaugural roster, followed by Jordyn Listro and Domi Richardson on the same day.[6]
On May 23, 2024, the club announced their home opener would be against Dallas Trinity FC on August 18, 2024. The match was the third ever match played for the USL Super League.[7][8]
Identity
editThe Tampa Bay Sun FC name, logo, and colors were unveiled on November 4, 2023, at a ceremony in Ybor City attended by Tampa mayor Jane Castor.[9]
Sponsorship
edit| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–present | Capelli Sport | Tampa General Hospital (TGH) | N/A | [10] |
Stadium
editThe Sun FC play at Riverfront Stadium on the campus of Howard W. Blake High School, near downtown Tampa.[11] Renovations were made to bring the stadium up to division one soccer league standards, namely increasing the capacity of the stadium from 1,800 to 5,000, installing turf, and adding a new scoreboard.[12] The team plans to play at Riverfront Stadium until a new stadium in Ybor City is constructed.[13]
Players and staff
editRoster
edit- As of September 8, 2024[14]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Staff
editAs of September 9, 2024*
| Front office | |
|---|---|
| Position | Name |
| Owners | Jeff Fox
David Laxer Darryl Shaw |
| President |  Christina Unkel
|
| Technical staff | |
| Head Coach | Denise Schilte-Brown |
| Assistant Coach | Erich Leite |
| Head of Soccer Operations | Sam Ishee |
Records
editYear-by-year
edit- As of 30 October 2024
| Season | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance | Top Goalscorer | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2024–25 | USLS | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7th | TBD | 3,996 | Cecilie Fløe | 2 |
^ 1. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, and USL Super Cup Playoffs, and other competitive matches.
Head coaching record
edit- As of 30 October 2024
Only competitive matches are counted.*
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denise Schilte-Brown |  Canada
|
July 2023 | present | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 43.75 |
References
edit- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun FC". USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "USL Super League Announces Initial Markets". TampaBaySunFC.com. USL Super League. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Brinkley, Amber. "Super League Tampa Bay names club president and head coach". TampaBaySunFC.com. Tampa Bay Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Stinson, Jim (9 August 2023). "Sarasota attorney, entrepreneur dives headfirst into next big career challenge". BusinessObserverFL.com. Business Observer. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Longtime USF women's soccer coach will join the new USL Super League's Tampa Bay team". WUSF. 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun FC Makes History with Inaugural Player Signings". Tampa Bay Sun FC. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun FC Sets Sights on Historic Home Opener Against Dallas Trinity FC". Tampa Bay Sun FC. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "2024/25 Schedule". USL Super League. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Women's Pro Soccer Team Reveals Name, Logo and Colors". TampaBaySunFC.com. Tampa Bay Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Announces Front-of-Kit Partner and Official Health Care Providers, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health". Tampa Bay Sun FC. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Brinkley, Amber. "Tampa Bay Women's Pro Soccer Team Looks to Expand Waterfront Stadium in Downtown Tampa for Temporary Home". TampaBaySunFC.com. Tampa Bay Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "School Board Approves Temporary Stadium". TampaBaySunFC.com. Tampa Bay Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Plasencia, Ariel (2024-05-02). "Construction underway at temporary home stadium for Tampa Bay Sun FC – Blake High School". FOX 13 News. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun FC Makes History with Inaugural Player Signings". Tampa Bay Sun FC. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
External links
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