Ruben Bover Named NASL Player of the Week
Ruben Bover of the New York Cosmos is named NASL Player of the Week after tallying two goals in Week 14 of the NASL Fall Season. The Cosmos continued their march to the postseason with two back-to-back wins versus the Carolina RailHawks and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
NASL Soccer News: The New York Cosmos are playoff bound for their fourth straight year with Ruben Bover playing a key role in securing the accomplishment this past week. The midfielder scored in each of New York’s wins in Week 14 of the Fall Season to earn North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week honors.
The Cosmos picked up a pair of 2-0 victories, beating the Carolina RailHawks on the road during midweek before returning to Shuart Stadium to take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Sunday. Bover scored the club’s closing goal in the win versus Carolina and tallied the opener against the Strikers.
“I’m very happy to be named NASL Player of the Week,” Bover said. “Not only we were able to secure a spot in The Championship, but we had convincing performances both home and away. I would like to thank Gio and the coaching staff for trusting me and encouraging me and my teammates to reach our full potential.”
New York were largely frustrated in their midweek visit to Carolina, but after midfielder Adam Moffat converted a penalty in the 71st minute, Bover quickly added a second goal a minute later.
The Spaniard’s strike from outside the box caught RailHawks goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre off guard to notch the Cosmos an insurance goal in the 2-0 win.
Bover was then able to put the Cosmos on the board in the 57th minute on Sunday versus the Strikers when he buried a cross from teammate Juan Arango to give the league’s defending champions a 1-0 lead. One of Bover’s counterparts in the midfield, Andrés Flores, doubled the hosts’ lead late in the game to seal all three points for New York.
“Ruben had a tremendous week, and his contribution to the team allowed us to get valuable points against Carolina and Fort Lauderdale,” said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. “He’s a player that continues to grow every game, and I’m sure that he will continue to surprise us with many more outstanding performances.”
A native of Mallorca, Spain, Bover has been outstanding in his first full season with the Cosmos squad. The midfielder spent part of last season with New York Cosmos B, the club’s reserve side that plays in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). After breaking into the first team last campaign, Bover has been a regular for the Cosmos in 2016, tallying four goals and two assists in 20 league appearances (16 starts).
Prior to joining the New York Cosmos in 2015, Bover spent over two years playing with the New York Red Bulls, where he made 22 league appearances. Bover played for the RCD Mallorca academy until the age of 17 when he moved to England. He then played with Kidderminster Harriers, Halesowen Town, and Charlton Athletic from 2009-2013.
New York heads on the road to take on Ottawa Fury FC this Sunday as they continue their push for the Fall Season title. Although New York have already clinched a playoff spot, the Cosmos still have sights set on hosting a semifinal game.
Sunday’s game in Ottawa is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3 (U.S.) and NASL’s website.
Check out Bover’s opening goal versus the Strikers below:
