Marcel Shafer recorded a brace and Joe Cole scored a goal as the Tampa Bay Rowdies defeated New York Red Bulls II, 3-2, to clinch a berth in the USL playoffs.
The win, which moved the Rowdies to second place in the USL Eastern Conference, was the 11th victory in 16 home matches this season. If Tampa Bay finishes in the second position in the standings, they will host a playoff game in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal round.
New York took the early lead, but Shafer fed Cole to equalize in the 18th minute.
Shafer scored his first goal to give the Rowdies the lead in the 25th minute, and added a strike to the top of the net in the 45th minute to put Tampa Bay on top, 3-1, at the half.
The Rowdies take the pitch next at San Antonio FC on Saturday.