Through the triumphs of the Women's National Team in the World Cup and Tim Howard's nation-inspiring performance as goalie for the US Men's team, soccer's popularity has never been higher in the states. St. Pete's own Tampa Bay Rowdies have helped turn the city into a community of soccer admirers, too. Ralph's Mob's consistent and vociferous support of the Rowdies, combined with the team's roller coaster season, which saw the Rowdies within arms reach of a playoff birth, certainly helped stoke the flames of futbol fanaticism.

Exciting news for #StPete–@TampaBayRowdies to host the new #SuncoastInvitational, bringing MLS teams to our backyard pic.twitter.com/9MvZFgq70u

— St. Petersburg, FL (@StPeteFL) January 28, 2016

Last week, Rowdies principal owner Bill Edwards announced a partnership with several Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs for the first-ever Rowdies Suncoast Invitational. The visiting MLS teams are the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, New York City FC, New York Red Bull and Toronto FC. 

The arriving D.C. United team comes with a bit of esteem. They are the second most decorated team in the league with 4 MLS Cup victories, including back to back MLS Cup wins in 1996 (first Cup match in MLS history) and 1997. 

On top of this, 6 of EA Sports top 10 players in the MLS will be taking the field:

Andrea Pirlo (NYC FC): FIFA World Cup Winner (2006), Olympic Bronze Medalist (2004)

Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC): MLS Newcomer of the Year and MLS MVP (2015) 

David Villa (NYC FC): FIFA World Cup Winner (2010) and Spain's all-time top scorer – 59 goals in 97 matches. 

Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact): All-time top scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team. Two-time African Footballer of the Year (2006, 2009). 

Andoni Iraola (NYC FC): Verteran player with over 500 games spanning 12 seasons.

Michael Bradley (Toronto FC): Former US Men's National Team Captain. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring some of the world’s best soccer talent home to our fans," said Bill Edwards in a statement. The matches begin on Wednesday, February 17, and run through February 24.

Schedule:

Wednesday, February 17 – Al Lang Stadium
D.C. United vs Philadelphia Union, 4pm
New York City FC vs Montreal Impact, 7pm

Saturday, February 20 – Al Lang Stadium
D.C. United vs Montreal Impact, 4pm
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Philadelphia Union, 7pm

Wednesday, February 24 – Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact, 4pm
New York Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union, 7pm

Saturday, February 27 – Al Lang Stadium
Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC, 4pm
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Montreal Impact, 7pm

Tickets are on sale now! Click here to reserve your seats to this rare soccer event. Tickets will be complimentary for 2016 Tampa Bay Rowdies season ticket holders for all matches. Single-day tickets will allow access to both matches on any particular day.

For matches at Al Lang Stadium, Midfielder's Club or Reserved seats that will get you just feet away from all the stars are available for $20. Seating in the main stadium bowl is $15, while youth tickets are $10.

General admission tickets for the February 24 matches at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex are $15 for adults and $10 for youth.