Spring Champs Minnesota United Open Fall Season on the Road in Fort Lauderdale
July 11, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
Minneapolis, Minn. (Friday, July 11th, 2014) -- Minnesota United FC ended the Spring Season with 20 points, and sitting atop the North American Soccer League standings. Saturday Minnesota kicks off the 2014 Fall Season in the Florida heat and humidity as it faces the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CDT. The match will be streamed live via NASLLive.com
With the Spring Trophy in hand and a home match in the postseason secured, the Loons look to maintain form and open the Fall Season with three points in Ft. Lauderdale.
"I think as a group we are looking forward to getting back to League play. We had a great Spring Season, we obviously felt good about where we ended up, but we know we still have the Fall Season left to get better and improve," said Minnesota Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We are ready to get back on the field and build to be ready for the post season and compete. It's going to be a challenge and we are looking forward to it."
Fresh off a shootout win against the Mexico U-21 National Team in front of a sold out crowd, Minnesota United FC looks to carry the momentum of Spring success into the Fall. Led offensively by forward Christian Ramirez, who leads the NASL in both goals scored, with five, and assists, with four, as well as a stingy defensive unit fortified by Brazilian center backs Tiago Calvano and Cristiano Dias, Minnesota United aims to start the Fall Season where they left off in the Spring.
Fans can tune into the match via NASLLive.com and follow along on social media at @MNUnitedFC and @MNUnitedGameday. Use the official hashtag of the match #FTLvMNU to interact with the Loons and share your thoughts on the match.
Join United fans at the official watch party this Saturday at 6:30 PM at Brit's Pub and Eating Establishment in Minneapolis. Watch the match on the rooftop lawn big screen and help create a World Cup atmosphere! Minnesota United players and the brand new mascot will be on hand for visuals.
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LAST TIME OUT: When United and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers met in the Spring, both clubs were tied at the top of the table with 12 points. Goals from Simone Bracalello, Christian Ramirez, and Miguel Ibarra gave the Loons a 3-1 win over the Strikers and helped boost Minnesota toward a Spring Championship. For Fort Lauderdale, that match marked a slide where the Strikers picked up just one of nine possible points and dropped to fifth in League standings.
UP NEXT: Minnesota United heads to National Sports Center Stadium to open its 2014 home schedule as it faces the Carolina RailHawks on Thursday, July 17th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. The match will be streamed live on NASLLive.com and tape-delayed on KSTC-45TV for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Following Thursday's League match, Minnesota United welcomes English Premier League team (EPL), Swansea City - the first EPL team to ever play in Minnesota - when the clubs face off in an international friendly, Saturday, July 19th at National Sports Center Stadium. The match is set to kickoff at 7:00 p.m. For tickets and information call 763.4SOCCER or visit www.MNUnitedFC.com.
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North American Soccer League Stories from July 11, 2014
- Match Preview: RailHawks Host Indy Eleven - North Carolina FC
- Spring Champs Minnesota United Open Fall Season on the Road in Fort Lauderdale - Minnesota United FC
- Haitian Defender Stephane Guillaume Returns to the Pitch for Strikers - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Burt Signs for the Blues - FC Edmonton
- NASL Back in Action: Fall Season Kicks off this Weekend - NASL
- Cosmos Sign Stefan Dimitrov to Contract Extension - New York Cosmos
- Strikers Take on Spring Champions Minnesota United FC at Lockhart Stadium - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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