NASL Minnesota United FC

Calvano, Davis, Ibarra and Ramirez All Named to North American Soccer League Best XI

Published on November 13, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Thursday, November 13th, 2014) -- Today the North American Soccer League announced the 2014 Best XI, which features Minnesota United players Tiago Calvano, Justin Davis, Miguel Ibarra, and Christian Ramirez. The Best XI is the list of the top 11 players in the NASL, who are selected by all the head coaches in the League.

Calvano was a key part of the United defense this season. The Brazilian defender joined Minnesota before the 2014 season, bringing with him vast experience and disciplined defending. Calvano made 25 appearances for United this year, featuring as one of the main central defenders on the Minnesota backline. He also contributed offensively with one assist this season. He has made the Team of the Week once this season.

Davis was a key factor on both ends of the pitch, providing strong defensive pressure as well as pushing up the flanks for Minnesota. The Arizona native played as the outside left defender for Minnesota, using his physical play to prevent opponents from attacking down his flank. Davis was also not afraid to move up the field with the ball. His ability to deliver balls into the opposing penalty area added an extra threat to the United attack and allowed for more players to play offensively. Davis made 26 appearances for Minnesota, scoring one goal and providing four assists. Davis was a part of the Team of the Week six times in 2014.

Ibarra had a standout year in 2014. The midfielder was a constant threat to the opposition, whether using his speed to beat defenders on the outside, or his playmaking ability to thread the ball through the middle of the pitch. After signing with Minnesota in 2012, Ibarra has slowly become a mainstay in the midfield in both central and wide roles. He has featured in the Team of the Week seven times, been named Player of the Week twice, as well as Player of the Month for September. Ibarra's spectacular play caught the eye of Jürgen Klinsmann, and earned the Lancaster, California native a call up to the U.S. National Team twice in 2014. He has started in 25 of his 27 appearances for United, scoring nine goals along with five assists.

Ramirez has been a human highlight reel in his first season with Minnesota. Starting with a goal in the first week of the Spring Season, Ramirez never looked back and scored a total of 20 goals to lead the NASL in scoring for the majority of the season. The only United player to start in every league match this season, Ramirez has broken several franchise records including single-season goals scored and assists. Ramirez received many awards over the course of the season including 13 Team of the Week appearances, three Player of the Week awards, three times as the Player of the Month (May/June, August, October/November), Golden Boot, Goal of the Year, and Young Player of the Year.

2014 NASL Best XI:

Goalkeeper

Jimmy Maurer (New York Cosmos)

Defenders

Justin Davis (Minnesota United FC)

Tiago Calvano (Minnesota United FC)

Carlos Mendes (New York Cosmos)

Darnell King (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)

Midfielders

Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC)

Lance Laing (FC Edmonton)

Walter Restrepo (San Antonio Scorpions)

Rafael Castillo ( San Antonio Scorpions)

Forwards

Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC)

Fafa Picault (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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North American Soccer League Stories from November 13, 2014


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