Minnesota United Battles Carolina with NASL Fall Championship on the Line
October 31, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Friday, October 31st, 2014) -- Going into the last regular season match of the year, first place Minnesota United (10W-4T-3L, 34pts) has the chance to sweep every regular season trophy with a win against the Carolina RailHawks (7W-2T-8L, 23pts) on Saturday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. Watch all the action live on NASLLive.com.
United has lost some steam heading into the final match week of the season - only managing to win one match from its previous four games. In those matches, Head Coach Manny Lagos rested players and tinkered with the lineup, pulling players up out of the midfield and changing the formation. This final match week, expect United to get back to its winning form, as it prepares to take momentum into the playoffs.
"We want to go on the field and show well and make sure we're preparing the right way for the playoffs," said Lagos. "That means having a good competitive game and making sure that we manage the game the right way."
These past few weeks, Lagos has focused on making improvements from match to match and building a team that was solid in the back and fluid going forward. One improvement that the team has been focusing on in practice this week is finishing. Shut out the last two matches, and playing against a team that has stood strong and has conceded only one goal against United in two matches, the Loons have a challenge traveling to Carolina this Saturday.
This Saturday's match is a must-win for Carolina if it is to have any hope of making the postseason. If the RailHawks can beat Minnesota United by a scoreline of more than four goals and Fort Lauderdale draws its match against Ottawa Fury FC, Carolina will have clinched a playoff berth in the final hour. The RailHawks can also find a way into the postseason with a win against United and a Fort Lauderdale loss. With a bit of luck, Carolina could be the fourth place seed that United plays in Blaine to kick off the first round of playoff matches November 8th.
Find tickets for United's November 8th playoff match by visiting mnunitedfc.com/tickets. Join us as Minnesota United attempts to secure the Fall Season Championship this Saturday against the Carolina RailHawks at our Official Watch Party at Brit's Pub. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 31, 2014
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks Host Minnesota United FC - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United Battles Carolina with NASL Fall Championship on the Line - Minnesota United FC
- FCE Match Preview: vs Atlanta Silverbacks (November 2) - FC Edmonton
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