Sports stats



NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Falls 2-0 to Brazilian Side Botafogo FC

March 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Rio de Janeiro, BRA. (Wednesday, March 18th, 2015) -- Minnesota United fell 2-0 to Botafogo FC in its second international friendly of the preseason Brazilian tour at Estádio Nilton Santos, in Rio, Brazil. Two goals in quick succession were the difference in the loss.

"We are still building the kind of team we are going to be this season and today was a positive step in that direction," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We really showed some good quality throughout the match. I thought the guys showed really well today and we are progressing towards where we want to be when we start the season."

The Loons came out of the gate sluggish and it was apparent that Botafogo was well into its season and in form. The home side put the pressure on early and often in the opening ten minutes.

Just sixty seconds into the match a Botafogo forward found space inside the box and rifled a shot that beat United keeper Mitch Hildebrandt, but not the near post. Striking the frame would be a trend in the opening moments of the match as the Loons were put squarely on the back foot and under pressure.

Hildebrandt was the hero from the outset. Twice in a matter of moments he kept the home side scoreless thanks to quick reactions and positioning. In the 10th minute a Botafogo attacker laced a shot to the near post and Hildebrandt came up with a huge glancing save as the ball ricocheted off the crossbar.

Minutes later Hildebrandt duplicated this feat, this time from the right side of the field. A similar opportunity arose for a Botafogo attacker as his shot from the right was parried into the crossbar.

After the initial spell of attack and pressure from the home side, the Loons began to settle in nicely. Working patiently from the back and maintaining an organized shape were keys to United's success for the rest of the match.

United's first real chance came in the 23rd minute. A great cross-field ball from Kevin Venegas opened up the field. Defender Justin Davis gained space on the right edge and passed it across to Christian Ramirez who touched it to Miguel Ibarra. With a lunging effort, Ibarra was unable to get enough purchase on his shot and the keeper safely gathered the ball.

United was presented with another great chance in the 37th minute thanks to a springing pass from Greg Jordan to Ibarra on the right wing. Ibarra used his notable pace and pushed the ball forward, eventually finding teammate Ramirez in the box. Ramirez pushed the ball across the box to an open Jonny Steele, but his strike drifted just wide of the post.

United would enter the half with the score tied at 0-0, but decidedly in the game and representing itself well in Botafogo's home stadium.

Unlike previous matches, Coach Lagos opted to keep his starting XI in the game to open the second half.

Steele, Ibarra and Davis were able to work smart combinations together in the first 10 minutes of the second half, gaining space along the left wing.

In the 64th minute United went with a wholesale substitution, bringing on eleven new players into the intense and stressful contest.

The second half subs showed tremendously, quickly adapting to the pace and intensity of the match. In the 75th minute a clear handball inside the box was missed by the referee and linesman. Both United and Botafogo players seemed prepared for a penalty whistle, but none came.

Jamie Watson nearly broke the deadlock in the 77th minute. He managed to free himself on the top of the box and expertly launched a high curling effort that was destined for the upper right corner. The Botafogo keeper was forced to produce an athletic save, tipping the shot just over the crossbar.

Botafogo would eventually give their small group of home supporters the goal they had come to see in the 84th minute. A Botafogo forward gathered the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, cut inside with his first touch, and bent the ball around United keeper Andrew Fontein and into the back of the net.

The opening goal appeared to stun the Loons as they quickly conceded a second. Botafogo pushed the ball up the field from the left side again and blasted a shot into the upper right corner, giving the home team a 2-0 edge.

The 2-0 scoreline would hold until the 90th giving the home side the win and the Loons the loss. United returns for its third preseason match Saturday against Resende. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. CT.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the North American Soccer League message board...

North American Soccer League Stories from March 18, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central