NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars FC Progress to US Open Cup Third Round

Published on May 22, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (May 22, 2012) --- Despite playing with 10 men for 50 minutes, Minnesota Stars FC progressed to the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 win against the Des Moines Menace at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday night. Simone Bracalello scored halfway through the first half for the Stars before Miguel Ibarra added insurance late in the second half for the Stars, who will face Real Salt Lake in the third round next Tuesday night.

"We're glad to get the win, obviously, but there was a bit of nervousness and I think we got caught a bit worrying about what they could do instead of what we could do," Stars assistant Carl Craig, who stood in as head coach while Manny Lagos served a suspension from Open Cup action. "Overall, I think Simone did a good job, but we were just a bit impatient."

The Stars started the game with some reservation as they adapted to the bounce of the artificial surface at Valley Stadium. Des Moines sent two early shots wide and looked threatening, particularly attacking from the wings, but Bracalello's goal in the 20th minute seemed to settle the 2011 North American Soccer League champions' nerves. Ibarra set up the goal with a cross from the right wing, which Bracalello leapt for and stabbed past Menace goalkeeper Jhojan Obando.

The Stars evening became more difficult in the 40th minute when defender Cristiano Dias received a straight red card for lunging out at Menace forward Renan Ramos. Ramos jumped into the Stars center back while the two challenged for an aerial ball. Although drawing a foul, Dias reacted by kicking out at Ramos, prompting referee Landis Wiley to send him off. The Stars responded by replacing leading goalscorer Amani Walker with defender Kevin Friedland.

"We were struggling to get the ball on the ground, which we expected in a game like this with a bunch of big boys who like to boot it around, and we didn't take control of the game, so the red card definitely didn't help us out," said defender Justin Davis, who played two seasons with the Menace in 2007 and 2008.

The Stars felt the effects of that substitution in the second half, as they struggled without a target forward to hold possession. Despite being outpossessed, the Stars continuted to carve out chances on set pieces and counterattacks with Bracalello and the speedy Ibarra the new focus of the attack. The backline of Brian Kallman, Kyle Altman, Friedland and Justin Davis stayed settled and kept Des Moines from threatening goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, who made three saves to earn his fourth shutout in eight games this season.

Ibarra capped off a fine individual performance six minutes from time with his third goal in all competitions this season. Shortly after missing a shot, the Stars won the ball back following a goal kick. Ibarra skipped around a defender about 25 yards from goal before beating Obando with a low shot that just slipped in at the far post.

With the win the Stars advance to face Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake in the third round of the Open Cup, which is in its 99th year and is one of the nation's longest-running competitions in any sport. The Open Cup is open to all sanctioned men's soccer clubs from amateur levels through Major League Soccer. Real Salt Lake is the 2009 MLS Cup champion and is currently the best overall team in MLS with a record of eight wins, two ties and three losses.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 22, 2012


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