After five long years the Tampa Bay Rowdies are back in the playoffs. Thanks to a brace from Marcel Schafer and some expert goalkeeping from Matt Pickens the Rowdies earned a 3-2 over New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday at Al Lang Stadium and a ticket to USL’s second season.

Things did not start well for Tampa with New York taking an early lead courtesy of a Stefano Bonomo goal in the 16th minute. But the Rowdies would storm back. In the 18th minute skipper Joe Cole would earn the equalizer for the home side with a right-footed shot inside the eighteen. Schafer would pour on the goals for the Rowdies knocking home his fourth and fifth goals of the season in the 25th and 45th minutes respectively. The Red Bulls would make things interesting in the second half when midfielder Junior Flemmings (56′) would cut the lead to one. But it wasn’t enough to prevent Tampa from coming away with three points from the match.

With the win the Rowdies (13-7-10, 49 points) not only clinch a playoff berth but they also move past the Charleston Battery (13-8-9, 49 points) for second place in the USL Eastern Conference. With two road games to end the season (10/7 against San Antonio FC and 10/12 against Orlando City B) Tampa will hope that their recent run of good form extends beyond the friendly confines of Al Lang Stadium.

As for New York Red Bulls II (12-13-5, 41 points) the loss drops them down to eighth place just above Bethlehem Steel (11-11-7, 40 points) for the final spot in the East. Their road trip continues on Saturday when they will head to Orlando to take on the Purple Lions.

On hand to cover the match was Prost Amerika photographer Nelson Lucindo. You can check out some of his photos from the match below and his full Tampa Bay Rowdies gallery on SmugMug.