ST. PETERSBURG- Back in 2014, Cody Mizell joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies in his second year of professional soccer.

But that stint with the team ended after making just five appearances.

Nearly four years later, he’s back, and making a major impact for the Rowdies.

“I say it all the time, but you can’t beat this organization, this city, and this team,” Mizell said.  “They run everything first class.  I’m very excited to be back and bring my family down here.  And we love it so far.”

Mizell has been a rock in net for Tampa Bay, posting shutouts in each of the team’s three home matches.

Overall, he’s held opponents to a goal or less in six of the team’s seven games so far.

“He’s very agile for a goal keeper,” Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell said.  “He’s vocal, and he’s pretty decent with his feet.  So overall, he’s an all-around good goalkeeper.  And he’s a pleasure to work with.”

After leaving the Rowdies in 2014, Cody became a starter for a professional team in Iceland before returning to the United States to play for the Charlotte Independence in 2016-17.

Mizell was nominated for the United Soccer League’s Goalkeeper of the Year award after last season.

“Every season before I start, I always have a list of goals,” Mizell said.  “I always keep them personal to myself and have them in my locker.  I’m a young goalkeeper, so every day I’m looking to strive and get better and learn from the guys on the team.  There are a lot of veteran guys to learn from.  I’m young.  I’m still learning.  I’m still developing.  So it’s my job to keep my head down and keep working hard so that I can be better on the weekend.”

Cody was an All-American at Clemson and has played on several U.S. national teams (U17, U18, and U20).

But he said winning a USL championship this year would be his greatest career highlight to date.

His reasoning:  it’s a team accomplishment, which means much more to him than any individual honor.