ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – While there are exceptions dotted around numerous USL clubs, the life of a player in the league can be an itinerant existence, with offseason movement taking players to new teams on a regular basis as new opportunities arise.

That’s been the case for Texas native Jochen Graf, whose arrival with the Tampa Bay Rowdies this offseason marked the latest stop in his professional path. The 28-year-old is quickly fitting into new surroundings, though, and has already put in some eye-catching displays this preseason after an impressive debut in the league with the Rochester Rhinos in 2017.

“It’s something I’ve done a lot in my career,” said Graf. “It’s been a challenge, you move to new teams, you want to fit in as quickly as possible and hit the ground running, but it gets easier the better the players are around you, the better the environment and coaching staff. This is an incredible place, so it feels seamless. We’ve been here four weeks and it feels like four months to me.”

Graf found the net this past Saturday – his second in as many games over the Rowdies’ past two preseason outings – as Tampa Bay claimed its first win of the preseason, a 2-1 victory against the Philadelphia Union that could have seen him strike more than once. Graf’s work-rate and knack for finding space in the final third has given the Rowdies a strong focal point to replace the departed Martin Paterson, who headed to play in the India Super League over the winter.

That work-rate has mirrored the energy Graf brought leading the line for the Rhinos and has matched the expectations set out by the Rowdies’ coaching staff and returning players. The Rowdies have plenty of talent, but the drive the side has on the practice field is key to maximizing it when gameday arrives.

“This is a hard-working group, you can see it even today [against the Union] it doesn’t matter, anyone that crosses the white line and goes on is going to put in a shift, and that’s been the standard,” said Graf. “There’s thing we want to build on, it’s not perfect, but that’s the bare minimum for us. Everyone’s going to put in a shift, we’re going to be a tough team to compete with at a physical rate, and that’s the way we want it. We’ve got so much talent, so much depth, we’re not going to take anything lightly.”