ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their final signing before the opening day of the 2019 USL Championship season on Wednesday, bringing aboard veteran goalkeeper Chris Konopka as the 24th player in its squad. The signing is pending league and federation approval. 

Konopka is the third goalkeeper on Tampa Bay’s roster, joining John McCarthy and Macklin Robinson for the new season at Al Lang Stadium. 

“We’re really excited to bring Chris into our team,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “Chris has played for some really great clubs around the world and the leadership and experience he brings to our locker room is invaluable. I’ve spoken before about how important competition is at the goalkeeper position and we’ll have it every single day with the keepers we have.”

Konopka, 33, is the only player on Tampa Bay's roster older than 28 years old. He has played professionally in five countries, including finishing the 2017-18 season with promotion-winning EFL Championship side Cardiff City FC. 

Konopka has also represented six different Major League Soccer clubs: Sporting Kansas City (then the Kansas City Wizards), Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, Portland Timbers and Minnesota United FC.

In his distinguished career, Konopka has won the League of Ireland (2008 with Bohemians), the FAI Cup (2008 with Bohemians and 2009 with Sporting Fingal) and the Scottish League Cup (2015-16 with Ross County.

2019 Tampa Bay Rowdies Opening Day Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Konopka, John McCarthy, Macklin Robinson
Defenders (7): Shawn Barry, Pape Diakite, Ryan Felix, Mohamed Kone, Tarek Morad, David Najem, Caleb Richards
Midfielders (7): Jordan Doherty, Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Dom Oduro, Kwadwo Poku, Zach Steinberger, Andrew Tinari
Forwards (7): Brandon Allen, Sebastian Guenzatti, Antoine Hoppenot, Malik Johnson, Jaime Siaj, Leon Taylor, Juan Tejada