At least someone related to the Colorado Rapids is celebrating a championship this year. On Saturday, former Rapids draft pick Eddie Ababio won the NASL Championship as a member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies took down the Minnesota Stars in a penalty shootout to win the trophy at Al Lang Stadium.
Despite going into the second leg of the Soccer Bowl down 2-0 on the aggregate, the Rowdies managed to score three goals in their home leg. Ababio didn't see the field -- he made the bench in game one of the two-legged series but couldn't crack the starting 18 in leg two -- but his team pulled out a big comeback to force the penalty shootout.
Rowdies 'keeper Jeff Attinella made three saves in the penalty shootout to help lead the Rowdies to the title in the end. It was the first title for the franchise since they launched in 2010.