Stefano Pinho Scores Third NASL Player of the Week Award
October 5, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho
(Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
NEW YORK (October 5, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers took another step toward reaching The Championship with a win at San Antonio, and forward Stefano Pinho, 24, once again played a key role in a Strikers' victory. He tallied his second hat trick of the season as Fort Lauderdale defeated the Scorpions, 4-2, and for his performance was named the NASL Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Entering the weekend encounter, Fort Lauderdale trailed FC Edmonton for the fourth and final postseason spot. The Strikers, however, now have the advantage with a game in hand and a superior goal difference (plus-6) while sitting even on points (34) with the Eddies - who lost to Ottawa Fury FC - after defeating the Scorpions. Pinho tracked down a ball over the top from Marlon Freitas for his first goal of the night, beat Scorpions goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes at the near post for his second, and completed his hat trick when he slotted home Shawn Chin's low cross.
"I am glad to win this honor," Pinho said. "I am even more glad that we won Saturday and helped our playoff chances. While I'm proud to receive this recognition, now is not the time to celebrate. We have to keep our focus to make The Championship."
Fort Lauderdale made a late push last year for a postseason berth, going unbeaten in its last seven regular-season games. The Strikers reached the final before losing to the Scorpions, 2-1. Now, the Strikers are on track for similar late-season success as they close in on a place in The Championship, the NASL's four-team postseason tournament.
"He's made a big impact in this league," Strikers Coach Günter Kronsteiner said. "What counts even more for me: he's a team player. He's always in the right spot, has all of the tools to be a great scorer, and he works hard for his teammates. He is very deserving of this recognition."
Pinho, a native of Minas Gerais, Brazil, joined the Strikers on a season-long loan from Brazilian club Fluminense ahead of the Spring Season. In a previous loan stint with Finnish side MYPA, Pinho scored 11 goals in 20 appearances. With his 15 goals in 23 NASL appearances, the young forward is in the pole position for the NASL Golden Boot award.
Pinho and the Strikers return to action when they visit red-hot Minnesota United on Saturday at NSC Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern, and the match can be seen live on ESPN3 and locally on SFL-TV.
Stefano Pinho's 2015 season by the numbers
15 Number of goals for the 2015 NASL scoring leader. Following the end of the season, the NASL will award the Golden Boot to the league's top scorer.
12 Total number of NASL honors Stefano has picked up this year. They include: one Player of the Month (August); three Player of the Week (Fall, Weeks 8, 9, 14); six Team of the Week (Spring, Week 9, 11; Fall, Week 7, 8, 9, 14); two NASL Play of the Week (Fall, Week 7, 9).
10 Stefano's 10 goals scored on the road are the most in the league this season
7 Number of individual players providing assists for Stefano's goals. Shawn Chin, James Marcelin and PC have each provided two assists, while Dáni Sanchez, Gabriel, Bruno and Marlon Freitas have also set up the prolific Brazilian scorer (10 total assists on his 15 goals)
6 Number of wins in games in which Stefano has scored. The Strikers have played to a 6-2-1 (W-T-L) record in matches when Stefano has found the back of the net.
5 Numbers of goals Stefano needs to tie Etienne Barbara (2011), Pablo Campos (2012), Christian Ramirez (2014) and their NASL Modern Era single-season record of 20 goals scored in a year
4 His total number of games in which he's scored at least two goals. They include: Two hat tricks - Oct 3 at San Antonio and August 29 vs. Indy Eleven and two braces - June 13 at Minnesota and August 23 at FC Edmonton
4 Difference between Stefano's total number of goals (23 games; 21 starts; 15 goals) and second-place Christian Ramirez (25 games; 19 starts; 11 goals). Ramirez and his Minnesota United FC host the Strikers this Saturday.
4 Number of assists Stefano has provided in NASL action this season. His four ties his with Marlon Freitas and PC for the team lead.
2 Number of hat tricks (three-goal games) this season (Aug. 29 vs. Indy Eleven and Oct. 3 at San Antonio).
1 Stefano is the only NASL player to record a hat trick in 2015
.83 Stefano's goals per-game average since he first scored in the NASL Spring Week 8
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 Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho |
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 5, 2015
- Fort Lauderdale Forward Stefano Pinho Named NASL Player of the Week - NASL
- Stefano Pinho Scores Third NASL Player of the Week Award - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Secure Positive Road Result in New York - Atlanta Silverbacks
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