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NASL Minnesota United FC

Loons Look to Defend Home Field in Final Stretch

October 2, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Minnesota United Team Picture
Minnesota United Team Picture
(Minnesota United FC)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Friday, October 2nd, 2015) -- Minnesota United (8W-5T-2L, 29pts.) are on fire at home in the fall. The Loons are undefeated at National Sports Center Stadium during the fall season (3W-3T) and will look to continue their good form heading into the final stretch of the regular season. United faces the Tampa Bay Rowdies (4W3-T-8L, 15pts.), kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT - fans can watch all the action live on KSTC45-TV and ESPN3.

Minnesota United is two points behind the league leaders with just five matches to play. Nipping at the heels of the Ottawa Fury, the Loons kick off this Saturday with four matches remaining at home and just one away. United will be optimistic about closing the season strong in front of home fans in Minnesota, especially with the form it has shown already. The Loons are currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak with six wins in that time.

It's winning time for Tampa Bay-locked in a race for the fourth and final playoff position with FC Edmonton at 34 points. The Rowdies had a remarkable Spring Season, competing for the Championship and capturing convincing wins both on the road and at home. But the Fall Season has been a different monster. Injuries have plagued the club, and a switch in personnel and the eventual dismissal of Head Coach Thomas Rongen has the team on the ropes with the close of the season looming.

"They've got a very talented roster-they had a very nice win at home a couple of weeks ago against the Cosmos," said Minnesota United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "They have some damaging players and really throw some high energy at you and you've got to be ready to deal with it."

Minnesota United could be the first team in NASL history to earn the top spot in the combined table but travel for an opening playoff fixture. That makes each game important for the Loons, pushing to host a first-round match and sitting five points behind the Ottawa Fury in the Fall Season table. Fifteen points are up for grabs before the last whistle is blown on the NASL Season, and United is prepped to secure every point ahead of the postseason.

"It's important that we use our home games to always get better," said Minnesota United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We haven't been as consistent as we would like our reputation to be at home, so this is an opportunity for us to improve on a home record that we think should be better."

Minnesota leads the league in goals scored with 47 and crushed the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last Saturday in a 5-2 rout away from home.

Tampa Bay has struggled to pick up points recently, with just two wins from its last five matches. The Rowdies lost on the road last Saturday against the Jacksonville Armada, failing to record a single goal in that match, and drew against Indy Eleven at home in a midweek game on Wednesday night.

It's a crucial five-week stretch for every team in the NASL, as the postseason draws nearer 90 minutes at a time. Minnesota United kicks off at home this Saturday at 7 p.m. CDT.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 2, 2015


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