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Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Tsuyoshi Yoshitake has been named the North American Soccer League Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, the league announced on Monday. The honor marks the fifth time a Tampa Bay player has been honored this season, the most for any team in the league in 2012.

Yoshitake, who hails from Mie Prefecture, Japan, scored the game-winning goal on the last play of the match as part of a two-goal performance as Tampa Bay rallied for a 3-2 victory over then-first place San Antonio last Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies scored twice in the final minutes of the match to snap the Scorpions' nine-game unbeaten streak. Yoshitake completed the comeback in second half injury time, scoring his second goal of the game after midfielder Luke Mulholland had tied the match on a free kick in the 88th minute. Yoshitake also scored on a beautiful header after a pass from midfielder Keith Savage in the 39th minute for his first goal of the match.

“Yoshi has been tremendous,” said Rowdies head coach Ricky Hill. “He worked very hard while he was injured last month and it has paid dividends for him since he’s come back. He’s given us a new dimension with his energy and has been rewarded for his hard work and efforts. I’m delighted for him and I’m hoping he can continue his rich run of form.”

Yoshitake also captured last week’s NASL award after helping Tampa Bay rally for a victory on June 16 at Minnesota with a goal and an assist. For the season, Yoshitake is tied for the team lead in goals (4), assists (2) and points (10).

Tampa Bay continues its homestand this Saturday, June 30 when it hosts the defending NASL champion Minnesota Stars FC on tbt* Night with the Rowdies at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium. For ticket information, call 813-287-1539.

2012 Tampa Bay NASL Honors
NASL Defensive Player of the Week
April 30
Jeff Attinella

May 29
Frankie Sanfilippo

NASL Offensive Player of the Week
May 21
Daniel Antoniuk

June 18
Tsuyoshi Yoshitake

June 25
Tsuyoshi Yoshitake