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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Extends Unbeaten Streak to Ten Games with Dominant 5-1 Victory over Indy Eleven

August 16, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Minneapolis, MN - Minnesota United (5W-1T-0L, 16pts) put on a commanding display to achieve 5-1 victory over visiting Indy Eleven (2W-1T-4L, 7pts). North American Soccer League Golden Boot leader Christian Ramirez brought his total to 12 for the season, with Aaron Pitchkolan, Daniel Mendes, and Jamie Watson also scoring for Minnesota. "It was a great night for the club," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "There is a lot to talk about, but the result was that we won three big games during our home stand. To finish the home stand with nine points was great. It was just one of those nights with some great goals. Christian [Ramirez] had a couple that were world class. Sometimes good goals get contagious."

The Eleven dominated the opening minutes of the game with high pressure and possession in Minnesota's half. Several free kicks from outside the United box for Indy's Kl�berson threatened keeper Matt VanOekel, but the Minnesota goalkeeper and his defense were able to handle the pressure.

United opened its scoring tally in the 25th minute with a pass from Christian Ramirez to midfielder Jamie Watson. Watson fired from outside the box, striking an Indy defender. Players appealed for a hand ball, and in the confusion an opportunity opened for midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan to take a shot. He buried the chance, beating the helpless Indy keeper Kristian Nicht giving Minnesota the 1-0 lead.

Christian Ramirez doubled United's lead in the 37th with a strike that will be a contender for goal of the season. Justin Davis put a lofted ball to the box that Ramirez chested up in the air. The United striker finished the strike with a spectacular bicycle kick from 16 yards that found the left corner of the net, making it 2-0.

"I chested the ball a little high for my liking and I looked around and God took care of the rest," said Ramirez. "I felt good when it left my foot, when I hit the floor and I heard everyone screaming, I thought someone else put it in."

United got its third of the half in stoppage time. Davis took a free kick that Ramirez flicked on past the Indy defense to find teammate Daniel Mendes who perfectly timed his run. Mendes chipped Nicht with his first touch, putting the home side up by three as time expired.

"We talked about it at halftime that it's a mental challenge to be up 3-0 and play another 45 minutes of soccer," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "Anything can happen in this game. The key was to talk about the mental discipline which doesn't mean sit back, but keep playing soccer. Make sure you are defending well and going forward the right way. At halftime as a coaching staff we were excited for the mental exercise to come out with a 3-0 lead and see what they would do with it." The second half looked like a similar start to the first with the Eleven getting most of the early chances. However, Minnesota got its breakthrough just eight minutes into the half. Kevin Venegas found fellow midfielder Jamie Watson in the middle of the field with a precise pass. Watson dribbled past a defender and the Indy keeper and passed the ball 18 yards to the back of the net. The goal put United up 3-0 and was Watson's first on the year.

Five minutes later Christian Ramirez got his 12th of the year with a long range chip shot from the right side of the pitch. Miguel Ibarra tried a pass toward the corner flag, but the ball struck a defender's leg and was directed straight to Ramirez. The young forward took a touch, then placed a dipping shot over the head of Nicht that landed perfectly in the far back corner of the net.

Indy would not go quietly though, as former World Cup Champion Kl�berson got the Eleven's lone goal. The Brazilian midfielder received the ball 30 yards from goal and saw an opening in the defense. Kl�berson fired a laser-like shot, not seen by United keeper Matt VanOekel, which dipped into the upper left corner of the net making it 5-1 late in the second half.

With the win, United climbs to the top of the standings in the Fall Season, and ties a franchise record margin of victory, originally set in 2010. United continues its Fall Season with a trip to New York to face the Cosmos. Minnesota returns to Blaine September 6th against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. To purchase tickets, visit MNUnitedFC.com/tickets or call 763.4SOCCER.

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