NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars Ready for Impact

Published on July 21, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (July 21, 2011) - This season hasn't gone the way the Montreal Impact might have imagined it, but the NSC Minnesota Stars are not looking past the Major League Soccer bound Canadians. Montreal is playing its last season in the second division, but struggling for results in the North American Soccer League as the club builds toward its MLS debut in 2012. The teams meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday as Minnesota closes out a four-game homestand that's lasted through the month of July.

The largest source of problems for the Impact has been its offense, which has scored a league-low 14 goals in 16 matches. Five of those goals came in one match, a lopsided 5-0 victory over FC Edmonton on May 1, leaving Montreal with only nine goals in its remaining 15 games. The club has been shutout eight times this season, managing more than one goal in a game only three times.

The news isn't all bad for the Quebec club, however. The Impact are among the best defenses in the league, having allowed only 18 goals this season despite the long absence of injured goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, an offseason signing expected to strengthen an already strong defense. Only the Stars (16) and league-leading Carolina RailHawks (13) have allowed fewer goals this season since Montreal, a stat that Stars head coach Manny Lagos is wary of.

"It's been a big week for us and a busy one with USA CUP, which creates a lot of excitement but also some extra distractions," Lagos said. "I have a lot of respect for Montreal, and we know they traditionally play stronger soccer in the second half of the season, so we're expecting an intense match."

Friday night's match is the first of four this season between the Stars and Impact. In the short history of the series, the home team has generally had the upper hand. Minnesota and Montreal split their season series in 2010 with the home side posting a one-goal victory. This season hasn't been kind to the Impact away from Saputo Stadium, as Montreal has posted a 1-7-1 record outside of Canada. The Stars are 3-1-5 at home this season, having just lost for the first time in 11 months at NSC Stadium in a 1-0 defeat to the Puerto Rico Islanders last Sunday.

"It's very important for us to get results at home," Lagos said. "Generally speaking, I think we've been good here and played some entertaining soccer, but it's important to take points here and limit the pressure on ourselves when we go back out on the road."

The Stars enter the match with a mostly healthy roster. Midfielder Ely Allen will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks after learning the extent of a knee injury at the end of the first half of July 9's 1-0 win over the RailHawks. Allen suffered a partial tear of his medial cruciate ligament in a fall near the Carolina penalty area. Midfielder Andrei Gotsmanov is also out with an ankle injury. Defender Kevin Friedland has recovered from a high ankle sprain and could make the gameday roster.

Tickets for Friday night's game are still available in general admission and reserved seating areas. Tickets start at just $6 for youth, $12 for adults and are available by calling (763) 792-7355 or visiting NSCMinnesota.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 21, 2011


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