First Place Minnesota United Earns 1-0 Win at Home over Carolina RailHawks
July 17, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
Blaine, Minn - The home opener for 2014 Fall Season for Minnesota United FC against the Carolina RailHawks ended 1-0 in favor of Minnesota with only 10 players remaining on each side in front of 7,287 fans. Daniel Mendes' first half goal was the difference maker and red cards issued in the 2nd half to both sides made for an exciting finish.
"I thought we started a bit sluggish, but then we started to play some really good soccer," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We had some great movement and created great chances and I think it was a deserved goal from that type of positive play. We just didn't have the killer instinct to get a second goal. It's nice to get another three points and six through two games. We have built some positive momentum with the team getting some good results."
Minnesota got the lone goal in the 25th minute of the game. Former Minnesota United defender, Connor Tobin of the RailHawks, played a bad touch out to give United a corner. United defender Justin Davis took the kick and sent it through the traffic in the box and found a charging Cristiano Dias who touched the ball back towards goal. Daniel Mendes was waiting near the goal line to tap home Dias' ball to give United the 1-0 lead.
Both sides had several chances on goal, but Minnesota had the most promising attempts. Carolina struggled to challenge Minnesota keeper Mitch Hildebrandt, who was able to come off his line to easily deal with the Carolina attack. RailHawks keeper Scott Goodwin had a busy half, having to make several diving clearances to protect his goal.
After the half, United took a more defensive stance and used a counter attacking strategy to maintain their lead. Hildebrandt was called on much more in the second to keep the clean sheet, getting some help from his defenders and the posts.
Carolina had the best chance to level the match in the 74th minute after Aaron King broke through the Minnesota defensive line. His inside-foot shot beat the outstretched arms of Hildebrandt, but clanged off the right post of the goal. King nearly put in the rebound, but Hildebrandt stuck out an arm in desperation to knock the ball away from the RailHawks forward.
A bad challenge by United defender Justin Davis in the 78th minute sparked a scuffle between the two teams that changed the dynamic of the match. After the dust settled, red cards were issued to Davis and Carolina's Kupono Low for the fight, as well as a yellow for Nazmi Albadawi of Carolina. Both teams continued on with ten men for the remainder of the match.
The game remained quiet until the 85th minute, when Tiago Calvano was given a caution for arguing with the referee's decision to not issue a card to a Carolina player. For the remaining 5 minutes of the match Carolina poured on the pressure to the United goal, but the defenders held strong till the final whistle to earn Minnesota the 1-0.
Following tonight's League match, Minnesota United welcomes English Premier League team Swansea City - the first Premier League 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 kick off 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 17, 2014
- RailHawks Lose Tight Battle in Minnesota - North Carolina FC
- First Place Minnesota United Earns 1-0 Win at Home over Carolina RailHawks - Minnesota United FC
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