Tampa Bay Rowdies Sign Forward Corey Hertzog

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced Wednesday the signing of forward Corey Hertzog on a deal through the 2015 season, with a club option for 2016. Per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Hertzog, 24, spent 2014 with Orlando City SC, netting four goals in 21 league appearances. Hertzog scored against the Rowdies in the second leg of the I-4 Derby and in the third round U.S. Open Cup match between the sides.

A Pennsylvania native, Hertzog played college soccer at Penn State for three years before turning professional and signing a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer. He was drafted 13th overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

After a year with the Red Bulls, Hertzog was loaned to the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2012, where he became one of the premier scorers in USLPRO. During his time at the club, he netted nine goals in 17 games to lead the Hammerheads to an appearance in the championship game.

Hertzog then signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2013 and scored a goal before being loaned to FC Edmonton. Hertzog, 6-foot-0, brings speed and a high work rate to the Rowdies’ front line. He will wear the No. 81 jersey.

“Corey's work ethic is impressive both on and off the ball,” Rowdies General Manager Perry Van Der Beck said. “He plays with his heart and makes intelligent decisions. Coming from a club that has achieved success in a short period of time, Corey understands what it takes to contribute to a winning team.  We anticipate that he will make a quick impact with us. He's got a steely focus on making the postseason and contending for The Championship.”

Hertzog’s first match for the Rowdies could be this weekend, when Tampa Bay hosts the rival Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. The winner of the 2014 Coastal Cup, the rivalry trophy the teams play for, will be decided by this match. For tickets, call (877) ROWDIES or click here.