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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars FC Re-Sign Defender Cristiano Dias

February 27, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MINNEAPOLIS (February 27, 2013) - With preseason underway and the 2013 roster nearing completion, Minnesota Stars FC has made a move to continue building around a core group of players with years of experience with the team. The club announced Wednesday morning that it had re-signed Brazilian center back Cristiano Dias on two-year contract. Further details will not be announced, per club and league policy.

"I'm really happy to come back and be a part of a team that went to the finals both years I've been here," Dias said. "I'm even more excited for next year and the expectations of our new owners, and I hope we can win another championship with the talented team we're putting together right now."

Dias made 21 appearances in league and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play for Minnesota in 2012 and scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw with FC Edmonton on August 25. In total, he has represented the club 39 times in two seasons.

Dias has been with the club since 2011 after featuring prominently for four seasons with Miami FC (now the Fort Lauderdale Strikers). Prior to moving to the United States in 2007, Dias spent time with four clubs in the regional leagues of his native Brazil. He will join Minnesota in preseason following the completion of his Major Indoor Soccer League season with the Missouri Comets, who play their regular season finale tonight in Chicago before starting the playoffs next week.

"Cristiano is a guy who can contribute in so many ways to this community both on and off the field," Stars FC head coach Manny Lagos said. "He knows what we're all about and wants to continue to build the legacy of Minnesota soccer, and we're very excited to have him back."

Minnesota opens the North American Soccer League Spring Season at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Saturday, April 6, against the San Antonio Scorpions. The club plays five straight home games at the Metrodome before returning with fireworks on the Fourth of July to NSC Stadium. Ticket prices are unchanged from 2012, thus providing everyone the opportunity to be part of the professional soccer experience and enjoy the world's most popular sport.

Season tickets are available now by calling the Minnesota Stars FC box office at (763) 792-7355 or by visiting mnstarsfc.com. Full season ticket packages start for as low as $80 for youth age 17 and younger and $145 for adults and contain tickets to cover all games in the NASL's Spring and Fall seasons. Half-season and five-game Metrodome packages are also available.

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