Raul scored in his final regular season game to help the New York Cosmos seal the top combined season record in the North American Soccer League with a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night.
After 30 games, the Cosmos and the Ottawa Fury finished level on 56 points and plus-19 goal difference, but New York finished with seven more goals scored.
Former Real Madrid striker Raul, who is retiring after this season, scored his eighth goal of the season in the 54th minute with a shot from a sharp angle that hit off the underside of the bar and just crossed the line.
Raul nearly scored a second goal two minutes later, and Sebastian Guenzatti did find the net in the 58th minute for the Cosmos' crucial second goal.
#8️⃣ for #7️⃣. #Raúl #NYCosmos #NYCvTBR pic.twitter.com/EdlTdWtPxV
- New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) November 1, 2015
The Cosmos earned the top seed in the Championship playoffs but will not learn their semifinals opponent until Sunday, when the Fort Lauderdale Strikers need only a draw at Jacksonville to earn the final playoff spot over Tampa Bay.
Earlier on Saturday, Ottawa drew 1-1 at Atlanta. The Fury, in only their second season in the league, won the fall season title and will host Minnesota United in the semfinals on Nov. 8.