Andrew Tinari Signs with Tampa Bay Rowdies
2/2/2019 8:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer
2017 graduate continues professional career after two seasons with New York Red Bulls II
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Columbia men's soccer alumnus Andrew Tinari '17CC will continue his professional soccer career with Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship. Tampa Bay announced Tinari's signing on Friday.
Tinari spent the last two seasons playing in the midfield for New York Red Bulls II, where he made 56 appearances, scoring nine goals and registering five assists.
"I'm extremely excited for this new opportunity," said Tinari, who was a three-time First Team All-Ivy League selection and 2013 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. "Tampa has been supportive throughout this whole process for which I am grateful. Now it's time to help bring home a title."
After polishing off his collegiate career with an Ivy League title, Tinari signed with New York Red Bulls II in January of 2017. He started 21 matches out of 26 appearances that year, netting his first professional goal on August 27 against Ottawa Fury FC. Tinari wrapped up his rookie season with three assists and two goals while helping NYRB II reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tinari started the 2018 season with his first professional brace in a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC II. He went on to score seven goals and tally two assists in 33 appearances last year, including goals in back-to-back games in mid-August against Penn FC and Louisville City. The Holbrook, New York, native wore the captain's armband for NYRB II 12 times.
"I'm very happy and excited for Andrew as he takes his next opportunity," 11th-year Columbia men's soccer head coach Kevin Anderson stated. "It's even more special as he will be joining his former Columbia teammate, David Najem, who signed with Tampa Bay last January. I wish both guys the very best and look forward to seeing great results from them this season."
Najem and Tinari were teammates at Columbia in 2013, which was Tinari's rookie season and Najem's senior season. The two also spent one year together at New York Red Bulls II in 2017.
Tinari played a total of 62 games in a Columbia uniform, including 56 starts, and tallied nine goals and 10 assists. As a first-year, he was selected Ivy League Rookie of the Year and named First Team All-Ivy League after scoring a team-high five goals. Tinari led the team with four assists his junior year on the way to his second first-team selection. His third selection came as a senior, finishing the year with one goal and two assists as the Lions earned a share of the Ivy League championship.
