Global Football Champion, Formiga, To Captain TST Team This Summer
TAMPA, FL (April 1, 2024) – The Tampa Bay Sun FC and The Soccer Tournament (TST) collaboratively announce the new USL Super League club will curate an all-star team in the women’s bracket of the 7v7 winner-take-all tournament at WakeMed Soccer Park June 7-10.
Global Football Legend, Formiga, will serve as team captain and is actively recruiting players to represent Tampa’s first division-one women’s soccer team at TST this summer. No players from the upcoming USL Super Leaugue roster will participate in the tournament.
“It is fitting that the birth of Tampa Bay Sun FC, whose vision is to be a global leader in women’s professional soccer, is captained by the trailblazer and global football champion – Formiga”, says Christina Unkel, President and General Counsel for Tampa Bay Sun FC. “A legend of the game, Formiga IS “jogo bonito.” She symbolizes the Sun’s power, strength, and triumph, connecting us all to this beautiful game and kicking off the identity of Tampa Bay Sun FC.”
Formiga, is a champion veteran who last played as a midfielder for São Paulo FC. She previously played for professional clubs in Sweden, the United States and France. Holding many international records as a member of the Brazil national team for 26 years, Formiga is the ONLY football player (men’s or women’s) present in all Olympic Games tournaments of women’s football since the first edition at the 1996 Summer Olympics, and holds a record for appearing at seven different FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.
TST will take place June 5-10, with the women’s bracket running June 7-10 in Cary, NC. The eight competing women’s teams will be split into two groups of four, with group play commencing June 7-8. Two teams will advance from each group to the semifinals on June 9. The inaugural women’s bracket will conclude with a $1 million winner-take-all championship game on June 10.
Tampa Bay Sun supporters can purchase all-sessions passes for TST 2024, or sign up for the single-session waitlist at https://thetournament.com/tst/tickets. Supporters not making the trip to Cary, NC will be able to catch all of the action on ESPN. The media company has acquired the media rights for the tournament, including select women’s group stage games, the semifinals and championship.
The inaugural TST included globally renowned clubs such as Wrexham AFC, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Wolverhampton, and sports stars like Clint Dempsey, Steve Nash, Cesc Fabregas, and Chad Johnson, among others. More than 25 players with U.S. National Team experience and a combined 1,444 caps on both the men’s and women’s side competed in the event, including Heather O’Reilly, Kirstine Lilly, Jermaine Jones, Eddie Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Jimmy Conrad, Chris Wondolowski, Brek Shea, and more.
About Tampa Bay Sun FC:
Tampa Bay Sun FC is the first professional women’s soccer team set to kick off in Tampa, Florida in August 2024. The Sun will light up the pitch, playing their home games in a stunning newly-renovated riverfront stadium situated along Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. Joining the USL Super League’s historic inaugural season, the Tampa Bay Sun FC is one of eight initial markets paving the way for a national expansion of first-division professional women’s soccer. With a shared vision to become a global leader in the sport, both on and off the field, paves the way for increased opportunities for talented female athletes across the country, fostering growth and empowerment within local communities. For more information please visit: TampaBaySunFC.com