NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Goalkeeper Named NASL Defensive Player of the Week

Published on September 19, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Sept. 19, 2011) - A nine-save performance against FC Tampa Bay on Saturday night earned Minnesota Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren his third North American Soccer League Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. The Stars tied FC Tampa Bay 1-1 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., picking up a vital point in their push to make the NASL's six-team playoffs.

"We had to weather a lot in the first half, and they were able to get it behind us a few times," Warren said. "Fortunately, I was able to be ready for it and make some key saves, and I think the team responded well in the second half and looked sharp. We're in a good place going into the final game playing well."

Warren's nine saves set a club record for the Stars, who are playing their second season and first in the NASL. He made seven of his saves in the first half, stopping a breakaway early and punching aside several other powerful shots as Tampa Bay put the Stars on their backfoot. He added a sprawling save in the second half shortly after Tampa Bay scored to tie the game in the 59th minute.

"It's certainly nice to see a guy who expect to show leadership show leadership the way he did in a tough environment against a great team," Stars head coach Manny Lagos said.

Warren had earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice before, and his award Monday is the fifth Player of the Week honor bestowed upon Stars players this season. The Montreal Impact's Ryan Pore earned the league's Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring twice against FC Edmonton as Montreal kept up its playoff push with a 2-0 win.

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2011


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