Pinho’s goals key to Strikers’ success

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Fort Lauderdale Strikers needed some magic.

They got it from former Fluminense forward Stefano Pinho.

Pinho’s success has helped put the Strikers back into the North American Soccer league playoff race. His team-leading nine goals, including the two in last week’s 2-0 win at Edmonton, have made coach Günter Kronsteiner giddy.

Pinho was named the NASL Player of the Week for his effort.

“I’m very please with how he is playing and I’m sure every coach in the league would feel that way.” Kronsteiner said. “To have somebody that can finally finish feel[s] good.”

The Strikers look to extend their two-game winning streak when they host Indy Eleven at Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

When Pinho arrived to the Strikers there was little reason to think that he would be threatening the individual team record for goals in a season at 13 held by Mark Anderson in 2012.

“In the beginning getting adjusted was really hard,” Pinho said. “I’ve been working hard to get to this point and things are definitely better.”

Pinho said he had expectations coming into the Strikers’ season, knowing his work ethic would pay dividends.

“I have room to grow as a player,” Pinho said. “I also feel I have the ability to finish.”

Kronsteiner said the reason Pinho has transformed into a proven goal scorer is two fold.

“First the midfielders are doing a good job getting him the ball,” Kronsteiner said. “Pinho has also done better staying closer in front of the goal that makes him more dangerous.”

With the recent success on Pinho and the Strikers playing four of their next five games at home, a playoff push looks reasonable.