NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Extends Unbeaten Streak to Eleven Games with Hard Fought Draw on the Road

Published on August 23, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Hempstead, NY - Minnesota United extends its North American Soccer League unbeaten streak to eleven games with a difficult 1-1 draw on the road against the New York Cosmos. A penalty in the 8th minute from NASL Golden Boot leader Christian Ramirez gave the Loons the lead, only to see it answered in the 74th minute after a goal from Mads Stokkelien.

Things got started in a flurry for United. In just the 6th minute a clever through ball from Ramirez found Daniel Mendes in stride inside the Cosmos' box forcing keeper Jimmy Maurer to scramble off his line and take out the legs of Mendes. Maurer was shown the red card for his challenge.

NASL Golden Boot leader Christian Ramirez calmly stepped up and slotted the penalty home, giving him his 13th goal on the season, and United the early 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.

"I thought we played well after the goal for the next ten to fifteen minutes," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "I don't think we lost the plot, I think mentally we didn't adjust to playing up a man. We absorbed too much stress thinking about being up a man and how we should play. Give credit to the Cosmos to playing well down a man, but at the end of the day we earned a point on the road."

Minnesota played well with the man advantage for the following fifteen minutes, possessing the ball in the midfield and creating chances. Things seemed to take a turn in the 20th after a deflected clearance led to a point blank shot from Danny Szetela, but Matt VanOekel was equal to it and parried it wide.

Both teams settled in as the first half wore on, with the Cosmos supplying ample pressure on the United backline and United countering quickly to continue the pressure on the Cosmos. The match had several testy moments in the first forty-fiveminutes, with the referee issuing three yellow cards and one red card.

Coach Lagos felt his side could have shown more with the man advantage in the first half, "I don't think we played that well. It was a fair call on the red. We had moments where we passed well, but we need better play. We need to take a deep breath and realize there are forty-five more minutes to see this game out."

The Cosmos came out looking to put pressure on United early in the second half, creating several strong chances on the United net. The Cosmos appeared to be the team with the advantage and carried all the momentum in the second period.

A pair smart substitutions from Manny Lagos seemed to settle United down in the 62nd minute. Juliano Vicentini and Greg Jordan each entered the contest bringing added composure and strength on the ball.

The game took on a full back and forth feel with wide open play and a multitude of chances in the final thirty minutes. Incessant pressure from the Cosmos finally broke through the Loons' defense in the 74th minute. Substitutes Jemal Johnson and Mads Stokkelien would prove to be the difference makers. Johnson carried the ball down the left wing and slotted a grounded cross to Stokkelien who easily tapped the ball home, leveling the game at 1-1.

Things continued at a frenetic pace for both sides with each club getting great goal scoring opportunities. In the end, United would gain a point on the road and extend its unbeaten streak to eleven games.

The Loons head north of the border to Edmonton to face the Eddies next Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Fans can watch all the action live on NASLlive.com or join the Official Watch Party at Brit's Pub.

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 23, 2014


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