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Tampa, FL Tampa is one of the youngest cities demographically in Florida. Located in West Central Florida across expansive Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg and Clearwater to the west, it is very much part of the greater metropolitan area while maintaining its own personality. When compared with other Southern cities, Tampa has had a long and fairly successful history with soccer, even at the pro level, for a quarter of a century. The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the now defunct North American Soccer League actually survived the NASL by nearly a decade and went on to play indoors and in the A-League. The Tampa Bay Mutiny, though falling on hard times in 2001 in its last season, won the Supporters' Shield for best regular season record in Major League Soccer's inaugural season. The downtown area is relatively new in its construction - some nightlife has sprung up around the Convention Center and Harbour Island, close to the home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Aquarium. Restaurants of note include the Columbia, in historic Ybor City, specializing in Cuban cuisine and Bern's, an expensive steakhouse with a wide reputation, located on the fringes of Hyde Park not far from downtown. Ybor, where many nightclubs can be found, was once home to many cigar factories. This area is close to downtown and a conscious effort has been made to keep the architectural surroundings consonant with the early twentieth century. For those interested in cultural events, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is home of the Florida Orchestra and features many plays and musicals. It is on the other side of downtown from Harbour Island. To really enjoy the beaches, it is better to stay in the Pinellas or Sarasota/Manatee parts of Greater Tampa Bay. Many keys just off the mainland offer exposure to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico or the Intercoastal Waterway on the east side for those into boating. College teams University of South Florida Capacity: Approx. 5,000 Directions: From I-4: To I-275 junction downtown, north on I-275 to Fowler exit (about 8 miles.) Go East (right) on Fowler past 30th Street. Main entrance to USF is on the left about one mile past 30th St. Left onto main entrance street - take first right - road takes big sweep to left - take next right - parking lot for stadium is on immediate left. From Pinellas county: take Howard Frankland bridge (I-275) west to downtown Tampa - I-275 swings left through downtown and continues north to Fowler exit (about 8 miles from downtown.) Go East (right) on Fowler past 30th Street. Main entrance to USF is on the left about one mile past 30th St. Left onto main entrance street - take first right - road takes big sweep to left - take next right - parking lot for stadium is on immediate left. University of Tampa Capacity: Approx. 5,000 Directions: Fan Culture
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