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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars FC Exercise 13 Options for 2013

November 28, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Nov. 28, 2012)-Minnesota Stars FC is building toward the 2013 North American Soccer League season after the club announced Wednesday it had exercised the options on 13 players' options for the upcoming season. Six of the 13 players were in the starting lineup in the 2012 NASL Championship Series.

"We've been fortunate over the past few seasons to consistently return a core of players, and I believe that's played a role in our success on the field," Stars head coach Manny Lagos said. "I think the guys we're bringing back will continue to grow and contribute as professionals, and I'm excited to have them back."

Both of the team's goalkeepers from 2012 will return, as the Stars exercised options on both Mitch Hildebrandt and Matt VanOekel. VanOekel started all but three games for the Stars in his first year as the club's starter, recording a 1.15 goals-against-average in league play, made 102 saves and posted nine shutouts. He posted an additional shutout in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as the Stars progressed to the fourth round. Hildebrandt started the team's remaining three games, posting a shutout and 1.00 goals-against-average in a loss and two draws.

Three starters from the backline at the end of the season will also be returning to Minnesota. The Stars exercised options on outside backs Justin Davis and Brian Kallman and center back Connor Tobin. Davis and Kallman started nearly every game for the Stars, combining for 5,745 minutes played in all competitions. Davis contributed one of the goals of the year in a 3-3 draw in Atlanta in April, and Kallman provided more assists than any defender in the NASL. Tobin made a spot in the center his own during the Stars' playoff run and finished the season with 16 appearances in all competitions. The club also retained center back Ernest Tchoupe.

The Stars have exercised options on five midfielders, most notably center midfielder Kentaro Takada and winger Miguel Ibarra. Takada made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Stars, recording two goals and two assists. In his first season as a professional, Ibarra played nearly 2,500 minutes in all competitions, scoring five goals and adding five assists. The Stars also retained the services of central midfielders Michael Reed and Edi Buro and outside midfielder Kevin Venegas.

Young forwards Travis Wall and Nate Polak will also return in 2013. Wall's action was limited to 84 minutes in three appearances in all competitions in his rookie season. Polak signed with the club late in the season and contributed a goal in 271 minutes as he started his pro career.

The club also declined options on five players: defenders Evan Sassano and Gino Mauro and midfielders Shawn Chin, Fuad Ibrahim and Andy Lorei. Ten more players from the 2012 roster are currently out of contract with the club, including team captain Kyle Altman and 2012 leading scorers Amani Walker, Martin Nunez and Simone Bracalello. One out-of-contract player, Neil Hlavaty, will surely not return to Minnesota after agreeing to terms with FC Edmonton for 2013.

"Unfortunately, we have to make tough personnel decisions at the end of every season," Lagos said. "I want to thank each of those players for their hard work on behalf of the club, and we wish them the best of luck as they continue to pursue careers as professional soccer players."

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North American Soccer League Stories from November 28, 2012


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