HIS BEST DAYS are well behind him but Joe Cole showed last night that he’s still capable of producing the kind of magic for which he came to be regarded as one of the most gifted English footballers of his generation.
Cole, who turns 35 later this year, is now plying his trade in the North American Soccer League — the second tier of the American league system — with Tampa Bay Rowdies, who he joined from Coventry City back in May.
Last night, in front of a crowd of 5,873 at the Al Lang Stadium, Cole conjured up a moment of brilliance to give the Rowdies a 10th-minute lead at home to Puerto Rico FC.
“It’ll be a nice one to watch… but the main thing is the team was excellent tonight,” Cole told the Tampa Bay Times after a game in which he scored his second goal in seven appearances for his new club.
The Rowdies — for whom a certain Freddy Adu came off the bench in the 88th minute — went on to win the game 3-0.
