Tampa, Fla. - USL League Two announced today that the Long Island Rough Riders’ Tom Bowen has been named the League Two Coach of the Month for June. Bowen led his team to a near perfect month with five wins in eight games while only conceding three goals in the entire month. 

The Long Island Rough Riders clinched its first win of the month on June 2 when the team beat New Jersey Copa FC 2-1, which also marked the first match this season in which the Rough Riders allowed a goal. Since then, the New York-based club has gone on to put up five wins, two draws and one loss in the month of June, leading the team to a top place spot in the Metropolitan Division table. 

The Rough Riders’ dominant performances in June have allowed them to be the first team to qualify for the 2021 League Two Playoffs in the Metropolitan Division. On top of being the top-seeded team in the division, the Rough Riders’ defense continues to be the leader in least goals conceded in the division, having only allowed five goals in 12 games played.

In addition, two of Bowen’s men have placed in the top 50 of the third edition of League Two’s 2021 Top Prospects list with midfielder Aaron Denk-Garcia sitting at number 20 and goalkeeper Josh Levine sitting at number 32. With the 2021 League Two Playoffs on the horizon, the Long Island Rough Riders seem to be in good position to take home a Metropolitan Division title. 

"It is always nice to receive recognition, but the credit has to go to the players,” said Long Island Rough Riders Head Coach Tom Bowen. “They have been exceptional on the field in what has been a difficult season off the field for so many reasons. I can't say enough good things about this group of players and coaching staff. Our goal now is to push on and finish the season strong and then to hopefully carry that momentum into the playoffs to see what we can do there". 

Bowen was selected as League Two’s Coach of the Month by the USL League Two Technical Committee.