ports Rowdies Sanfilippo Named NASL Defensive Player Of The Week

Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Frankie Sanfilippo (pronounced San-fill-ee-poe) has been named the North American Soccer League Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.

Sanfilippo, a San Diego native and the Rowdies team captain, helped Tampa Bay to its second shutout of the year last Friday night in a 0-0 tie against Minnesota at Al Lang Stadium, snapping the Stars’ three-game winning streak. Tampa Bay's defense held the Stars to just one shot on goal in the match after Minnesota had scored 14 total goals in its previous five matches.

”I think for the team it was great for us to get the shutout, especially for Jeff Attinella and the back four,“ said Sanfilippo. ”It is a great award and I am honored to receive it on behalf of the guys.“

Sanfilippo has started 34 matches for Tampa Bay over the last two seasons, including all nine games in 2012. He is one of just three players to have seen action in all 810 minutes thus far this season.

The Rowdies will face Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For ticket information, call 813-287-1539 or visit www.RowdiesSoccer.com.