Stefano Pinho Named NASL Player of the Month
November 4, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
NEW YORK - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are headed back to The Championship for a second successive year. Leading the way has been young Brazilian forward Stefano Pinho, who was named Player of the Month for October, the North American Soccer League (NASL) announced Wednesday.
Stefano, 24, scored four goals and added three assists, including a hat trick in a 4-2 win over the San Antonio Scorpions at the beginning of October. Stefano's contributions helped the Strikers to a position to reach the postseason, which the club eventually did on the final weekend of the season. The Strikers will now face the top-seeded Cosmos in The Championship Semifinals.
"I am very happy to collect another individual award, but the most important thing is that the team qualified for the playoffs," Stefano said. "We are motivated for The Championship and if we continue to believe in ourselves, we can win the whole thing."
It is the second time in 2015 that Stefano has been recognized as Player of the Month. The Brazilian claimed the honor for the first time in August after netting six goals in five appearances.
In his first NASL season, Stefano has also collected: four Player of the Week awards, six Team of the Week selections, and two Plays of the Week. Stefano finished the regular season with 16 goals, the most of any NASL player in 2015.
Despite the run of form for Stefano, the Strikers had an uneven month in terms of results. Fort Lauderdale won twice, tied once, and lost twice, but continued to remain in the hunt for postseason play.
The Minas Gerais, Brazil, native began the month scoring three times in a 4-2 win on the road against the Scorpions on October 3. He followed that up with an assist on the lone goal for the Strikers in a 2-1 loss in Minnesota, before adding a goal and two assists in a 4-0 victory over the Carolina RailHawks. Stefano's goal pushed him further ahead in the Golden Boot race - finishing with 16 goals for the season.
"I'm really proud of this guy," Strikers head coach Günter Kronsteiner said. "Stefano is not only a great soccer player, he has unbelievable character. Usually, when you have someone at his level, they come with issues. Not with Stefano. He's a role model, and I'm proud to have Stefano on my team."
Stefano joined the Strikers ahead of the NASL Spring Season, signing on a season-long loan agreement from Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense. Stefano scored 11 goals in 20 appearances on a loan stint with Finnish side MYPA a season ago.
The Brazilian forward and the Strikers now make a trip to New York to face the Cosmos at MCU Park in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn on November 7 and kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
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North American Soccer League Stories from November 4, 2015
- Gordon Hartman Issues Statement - San Antonio Scorpions
- Stefano Pinho Named NASL Player of the Month - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddies' Corea Set to Join El Salvador for World Cup Qualifiers - FC Edmonton
- Aly Alberto Hassan Nets Final Team of the Week Honour this Season - Ottawa Fury FC
- Junior Delivers Team of the Week Performance in Finale - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Armada FC, Community First Credit Union Announce Launch of Armada Credit Card - Jacksonville Armada FC
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