Penalty By English Midfielder Keeps Rowdies In Contention For NASL Soccer Bowl Berth

Published on October 14, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release

MIAMI, Fla. (October 14, 2013) - Among international players impressing in the North American Soccer League this weekend, English midfielder Luke Mulholland scored the game-winning penalty that ensured the Tampa Bay Rowdies remain in contention for the NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 berth. Polish striker Tomasz Zahorski claimed the winning goal as the San Antonio Scorpions beat FC Edmonton 1-0 on Sunday.

Mulholland, who won NASL title with Minnesota in 2011 before claiming another league championship with Tampa Bay the following year, broke a 1-1 tie late in the second half with a penalty kick goal to give the host Rowdies a 2-1 win over inner-state rivals Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday.

The victory not only gave Tampa Bay its fourth consecutive 'Coastal Cup' against Fort Lauderdale, but keeps the second-placed Rowdies in touch with league-leading New York Cosmos at the top of the table.

Zahorski, who played 13 international matches with the Polish national team, scored his eighth goal of the season to lead the San Antonio Scorpions to their third consecutive home victory at Toyota Field. The wins ensures the Scorpions have a mathematical hope of reaching the NASL Soccer Bowl provided the Atlanta Silverbacks add the Fall Season title to their Spring Season success and the Scorpions finish as the team with the second-best overall record.

Eleven of the 12 goal scored during this past weekend's encounters came from NASL international stars as Zimbabwe forward Lucky Mkosana notched the first goal for the Rowdies, while Uruguayan midfielder Martin Núñez had the only tally for the Strikers in the loss on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, forwards Danny Barrera of Colombia, Mexican Ruben Luna and Brazilian midfielder Pedro Mendes all scored for the host Silverbacks in the 3-1 win over Minnesota United FC, who had its only tally by Italian forward Simone Bracalello. Elsewhere, forwards Diomar Diaz of Venezuela, Italian Alessandro Noselli and Spanish midfielder Marcos Senna all scored for the Cosmos in the 4-0 shutout over the visiting Carolina RailHawks.

Every Monday throughout the 2013 Fall Season, the North American Soccer League (NASL) will put its international stars - both coaches & players - under the 'NASL International Spotlight' focusing on the league's overseas connections.

International Players/Coaches in 2013 North American Soccer League Fall Season Week 11

Saturday, October 12

New York Cosmos 4 Carolina RailHawks 0 at James M. Shuart Stadium

Cosmos

Defender - Rovérsio (Brazil) played another full 90.

Midfielders - Marcos Senna (Spain) saw action the entire match and scored the team's third goal via penalty kick, while Ayoze (Spain) was also on the field during whole game. Paulo Mendes (Brazil) played 74 minutes before being substituted by Alessandro Noselli (Italy) who had the club's fourth tally.

Forwards - Diomar DÃ-az (Venezuela) notched the team's second goal and assisted on the first during his full 90 on the field, while Stefan Dimitrov (Bulgaria) also played the entire match and assisted on the club's fourth tally. Sebástian Guenzatti (Uruguay) was eight minutes shy of the complete game before being replaced by by Peri Marosevic (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

Coach - Giovanni Savarese (Venezuela) remains unbeaten in the last eight matches.

RailHawks

Defender - Henry Kalungi (Uganda) played the entire match.

Midfielders - Enzo Martinez (Uruguay) and Breiner Ortiz (Colombia) also earned a full 90 under their belts.

Forward - Nicholas Addlery (Jamaica) came in off the bench in the 71st minute.

Coach - Colin Clarke (Northern Ireland) is winless in the team's last 14 road games, but unbeaten at home.

Atlanta Silverbacks 3 Minnesota United FC 1 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Silverbacks

Defender - Martyn Lancaster (England) played the whole game.

Midfielders - Richard Menjivar (El Salvador) also saw action the entire match, while Horace James (Jamaica) was a few seconds shy of the complete game before being subbed out minutes. Alex Caceres (Colombia) played 69 minutes before being substituted by Danny Barrera (Colombia) who scored the team's second goal.

Forwards - Ruben Luna (Mexico) notched the club's first tally before being replaced in the 83rd minute, while Pedro Mendes (Brazil) played the full 90 and scored the team's third goal via penalty kick.

Coach - Brian Haynes (Trinidad & Tobago) has won the last three home games.

United

Defender - Cristiano Dias (Brazil) played the whole match.

Midfielder - Calum Mallace (Scotland) also saw action the entire game.

Forwards - Simone Bracalello (Italy) had the only goal for the club via penalty kick during his full 90 on the field.

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1 at Al Lang Stadium

Rowdies

Goalkeeper - Diego Restrepo (Venezuela) had several saves during the entire match for his fourth win of the season.

Defender - Takuya Yamada (Japan) earned another full 90 under his belt.

Midfielders - Luke Mulholland (England) saw action the whole encounter and scored the team's second goal via penalty kick, while Shane Hill (England) played 34 minute before being subbed out. Stuart Campbell (Scotland) and Evans Frimpong (Ghana) both earned 90 minutes on the field.

Forward - Lucky Mkosana (Zimbabwe) notched the club's first tally before being replaced in the 83rd minute, while Etienne Barbara (Malta) assisted on the team's opening goal before being substituted by Carl Cort (Guyana) in the 66th minute.

Coach - Ricky Hill (England) ended a two-game losing streak.

Strikers

Goalkeeper - Richard Sanchez (Mexico) played the entire match.

Defenders - Rafael Alves (Brazil) and Ivan Guerrero (Honduras) saw action during the full 90 on the field.

Midfielders - Pecka (Brazil) also earned a complete game, while Carlos Salazar (Colombia) played 78 minutes before being subbed out. Martin Nunez (Uruguay) scored the team's only goal during his 90 minutes on the field.

Forwards - Yaikel Pérez (Cuba) also played the entire match and assisted on the club's only tally, while Paulo Junior (Brazil) came in off the bench in the 67th minute.

Coach - G-nter Kronsteiner (Austria) was at the helm for his 10th NASL game with the club.

Sunday, October 13

San Antonio Scorpions 1 FC Edmonton 0 Toyota Field

Scorpions

Defender - Luka Vucko (Croatia) played the entire game.

Midfielders - Javier Saavedra (Mexico) assisted on the team's goal during his full 90 on the field, while Stephen DeRoux (Jamaica) and Edin Husic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) also saw action the whole match. Walter Ramirez (Honduras) played 78 minutes before being subbed out.

Forwards - Tomasz Zahorski (Poland) scored the club's goal as he played the entire game, while Sainey Touray (Gambia) saw action in 69 minutes before being replaced. Esteban Bayona (Colombia) came in off the bench to play the last seven minutes of the game.

FC Edmonton

Defenders - Lance Laing (Jamaica) and Albert Watson (Northern Ireland) earned another full 90 under their belts.

Midfielders - Chris Nurse (Guyana) also played the whole game, while Robert Garrett (Northern Ireland) saw action in 81 minutes before being subbed out.

Forward - Daryl Fordyce (Northern Ireland) played entire match.

North American Soccer League Stories from October 14, 2013

• Scorpions Striker Tomasz Zahorski Named NASL Player of the Week - San Antonio Scorpions
• Tomasz Zahorski Named NASL Player of the Week - NASL
• Penalty By English Midfielder Keeps Rowdies In Contention For NASL Soccer Bowl Berth - NASL

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