‘An unbelievable blessing:’ Rowdies legend reflects on career

Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Leo Fernandes never expected to spend nine years of his life playing professional soccer in St. Petersburg. He also “didn’t have a reason to leave.” 

The Rowdies finished their 2025 season with a 1-1 draw Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Al Lang Stadium, marking the end of an illustrious career for Fernandes. He will now retire as one of the club’s most decorated players. 

Fernandes said there were “a lot of mixed emotions” before the final match of his 13-year career. He also pledged to “put in the same amount of work” as he embarks on a new role with the Rowdies. 

“I think it’s the right decision – obviously, not an easy one,” Fernandes told the Catalyst. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the fans for all their support. Since the day I got here in 2017, they’ve been nothing but class to me.” 

Fernandes was born in Brazil and grew up in North Babylon, New York. He left nearby Stonybrook University as the program’s all-time leading scorer. 

Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Philadelphia Union drafted Fernandes in 2013. He arrived in St. Petersburg four years later, “right in the prime” of his career. 

Fernandes planned to spend a season or two with the Rowdies before returning to MLS or playing in Europe. However, he found a home in Tampa Bay. 

“Neil (Collins), the coach, really, really valued me,” Fernandes said. “I was just so happy playing here. And we were winning games, we were winning trophies. For me, it was an easy decision to stay all this time.” 

Leo Fernandes will remain with the club in an undefined role. Photo by Matt May, Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Fernandes, 33, has made 196 appearances for Rowdies, ranking second in the club’s Modern Era and fifth overall. He has also notched 46 goals and holds a Modern Era record with 37 assists. 

The Rowdies have won two USL Championship Eastern Conference trophies with Fernandes patrolling the midfield. They also claimed the league’s Players’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best record, in 2021. 

In 2022, Fernandes became the first Rowdies player to win the USL Championship Player of the Year award after recording a career-high 19 goals and nine assists for the league’s top-scoring offense. “That year was just an unbelievable year, where everything just went right,” he said. 

“Everything just felt good,” Fernandes added. “I was healthy all year. And the team was so good around me – we scored so many goals that season. I wanted to go out there and just have as much fun as I could. We fell short of our goal, we lost in the Eastern Conference Final, but if you take a step back and look at the overall season, it was one of … the best teams we’ve had since I’ve been here.” 

Fernandes ruptured his Achilles tendon during a preseason match in February 2023. He missed the entire season, began scouting for a youth national club, and coached his son’s team. 

While the devastating injury and finding enjoyment outside of playing soccer served as a prologue for his retirement, Fernandes said returning to play in 2024 was one of his favorite moments as a Rowdie. 

“I just remember not taking a day off and really going so hard in the rehab process,” he elaborated. “And being so motivated to come back for the fans, for my family. I think coming back that year was just an amazing accomplishment. I can tell my family and my kids that anything is possible, you just have to put your head into it.” 

Fernandes with his wife, Emily (back, right), eldest son, Leo Jr. (left), and youngest son, Christiano. Photo by Andres Isaza, Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Fernandes moved to St. Petersburg with a girlfriend, who is now his wife. They got married on St. Pete Beach, had two sons and bought a home. 

The family is now “totally tied down to Tampa Bay.” Fernandes noted that professional athletes are inherently nomadic, and he is “very lucky” to remain with the Rowdies for nine years. “I didn’t take that for granted one bit,” he said. 

Fernandes is also “super grateful” and excited that he is not “packing my bags to go somewhere else” now that the sun has set on his playing career. Nagging injuries took their toll, and he was “spending more time in a training room than on the field.” 

Rowdies fans saw Fernandes come off the bench Saturday night to help the team push for a goal. They will still see him around Al Lang and Tampa Bay. 

Fernandes said he is unsure of his new title or job description, just that “it’s something that I’m going to be super passionate about.” He noted the abundance of global soccer talent and plans to “bring as many good players as I can to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.” 

Fernandes also looks forward to maintaining relationships with fans he now knows by name and talks to off the field. “It’s been an unbelievable blessing, and I’m super grateful for that,” he said.