NASL North Carolina FC

Traffic-Led Estoril Wins 2011/12 Portuguese Second Division Title

Published on May 8, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


With a 1-0 away win at Leixões this past Sunday, Estoril Praia guaranteed its return to the elite of Portuguese soccer for the first time since the 2003/2004 season. The club, which belongs to Brazilian company Traffic Sports, also clinched the 2011/12 title with one game still to be played. Estoril has reached 56 points for the season and cannot be overtaken by other teams. The title and promotion celebration will take place this Sunday, May 13th, when Estoril plays at home against Arouca.

U.S. U23 member Tony Taylor has played an important role in Estoril's success story, having scored 2 key goals in Estoril's last 4 games. Although having spent considerable time with the national team since the beginning of the year, Tony established himself as a starter in the stretch run that guaranteed Estoril's promotion.

"It's a great feeling and I'm just really happy we're champions," said Tony. "Marco Silva [Estoril's Head Coach] had confidence in me and I worked really hard to get to this point. I thank God, my family and friends for their support, and Estoril and Traffic for this great opportunity. I look forward to playing in the First Division next year."

After Traffic's acquisition of Estoril, other American players have also played and spent time as part of Estoril's squad, most notably left back Gregory Garza, currently playing for Xolos of Tijuana in the Mexican first division, and Gale Agboussoumonde, currently with the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL (North American Soccer League).

Tiago Ribeiro, president of SAD Estoril and Traffic's director in Europe commented: "Today we achieved our first objective, the result of a lot of work and responsible management. Traffic's soccer endeavors have been very successful with Desportivo Brasil in Brazil and the NASL and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the USA. We're glad we're contributing to the overall success of the group. Bring on the First Division!"

Estoril's title adds to Traffic's soccer group's recent accomplishments, including Desportivo Brasil's U19, U17 and U15 national and international titles, US Soccer's permanent sanctioning of the NASL as its only second-division league, new franchises and growing interest in the NASL, a trip to the NASL finals by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the regular-season NASL title by the Carolina RailHawks, and many player transactions within Brazil and in Europe.

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