ports Rowdies Acquire El Salvador International Richard Menjivar in Trade with Scorpions

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have acquired midfielder Richard Menjivar from the San Antonio Scorpions in exchange for defender Brad Rusin, the club announced today.

Born in Los Angeles but of Salvadoran descent, Menjivar, 24, played for the United States Under-18 team but is now a regular member of El Salvador's senior national team. The midfielder has 20 caps for El Salvador. He started eight matches for El Salvador in 2014 and was called up for friendly matches against Argentina and Guatemala this March. 

The move helps to solidify the Rowdies' midfield and give greater depth in one of the most important areas of the field. Menjivar was on San Antonio's bench, but did not play against the Rowdies in Tampa Bay's season-opening 3-1 win over the Scorpions on April 4.

Menjivar made his season debut against Minnesota United on Saturday, playing 14 minutes in San Antonio's 2-2 draw. 

"Richie Menjivar is an experienced international player who brings a tremendous background in the game to our roster," Rowdies Head Coach Thomas Rongen said. "He's a current member of the El Salvador national team and will help us achieve our goals this season. He's an outstanding player to have on our team."

Menjivar helped the Scorpions to an NASL Championship last season, making 19 starts and playing 1,703 minutes in 2014. He spent 2013 with the Atlanta Silverbacks, making 22 appearances and playing 1,924 minutes in his first NASL season. Menjivar has played in the NASL Championship match in both of his seasons in the league. For his efforts in Atlanta, Menjivar earned a spot on the 2013 NASL Best XI. 

“Brad is a good professional and an outstanding individual, but he deserves to be playing regularly,” Rongen said. “With the quality and depth in our squad, I did not foresee him starting for us. We will miss his presence in the locker room but wish him all the best in San Antonio." 

Menjivar is expected to arrive in Tampa Bay tomorrow and join his new teammates at practice this week. 

The Rowdies are on the road for their next two matches before returning home Saturday, May 16 to welcome the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to Al Lang Stadium for the first time this year. Single game tickets start at just $21, but prorated season tickets are still available. For more information on tickets, call (727)-222-2000 or click here. 

Tampa Bay: Maicon Santos - 12th minute (Penalty Kick)
Jacksonville: Marcos Flores - 14th minute
Jacksonville: Jemal Johnson - 32nd minute
Tampa Bay: Martin Nuñez - 59th minute
Tampa Bay: Maicon Santos - 77th minute (Assisted by Georgi Hristov)