Minnesota United FC Clinches #1 Seed In The Championship

Published on October 18, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (October 18, 2014) - Minnesota United FC may not have come away with a win against the New York Cosmos on Saturday night, but the team still left the field with a big reward - the #1 seed in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament. The scoreless draw, combined with the San Antonio Scorpions' loss in Indianapolis, ensures that the Loons will finish 2014 with the best overall record between the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring and Fall Seasons.

FC Edmonton was the other big winner on Saturday, as they captured three points on the road in Ottawa. The Eddies are now just two points behind the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for the final spot in The Championship. The Strikers played to a 1-1 draw against the Carolina RailHawks, who are now even on points with FC Edmonton going into the final two games of the season.

Minnesota United FC 0, New York Cosmos 0

With just a few minutes left on the clock, United forward Christian Ramirez stepped up to the penalty spot with an opportunity to clinch the Fall Season Championship. Ramirez's shot was off target, however, and the Loons had to settle for a 0-0 draw against the New York Cosmos at NSC Stadium on Saturday night. Either way, Ramirez and the Loons locked down the #1 seed in The Championship, confirming that the league's title game would be played in Minnesota if they're able to win in the semifinal round. The Cosmos were dealt a big blow late in the game, with defender and team captain Carlos Mendes receiving a red card.

"It would have been nice to get all three points tonight, but the guys should feel good because we have clinched the top seed in The Championship with two games still left to play," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We had our chances tonight and didn't put them away, but overall it was a very entertaining match between two good teams."

Carolina RailHawks 1, Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1

In matchup between two of the teams fighting for the final spot in The Championship, the Strikers and RailHawks played to a 1-1 draw at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The result wasn't what either team was looking for, especially after FC Edmonton topped Ottawa Fury FC earlier on Saturday afternoon. A goal midway through the second half from Strikers midfielder Mark Anderson put the visitors ahead, but a clever finish later in the half from RailHawks forward Nacho Novo clinched a split of the points for the home side.

"I think I have to show respect for the home team because of how they fought. It was not easy to hold on to the lead against this team because they are unbelievably tough," said Strikers Head Coach Gunter Kronsteiner. "But we were finally able to put it off and I'm happy about it."

Indy Eleven 1, San Antonio Scorpions 0

After it took nearly the whole year to earn their first home win, Indy Eleven now has two straight victories in front of their home fans. The pair of wins came against the league's top two teams, and on Saturday night, it was the Scorpions who fell victim to Juergen Sommer's side. A strike early in the second half from on-loan forward Charlie Rugg was all Indy needed to get past the Scorpions, who failed to take any points from the game after topping the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7-0, last weekend.

"You couldn't have written the script any other way without us losing all of our hair. In looking at the last two games of the season, we knew it would be a challenge, but we have seen this effort coming for three or four weeks," Sommer said. "Away in New York, it really showed that these guys weren't going to go the whole season without putting their stamp on the league and putting the stamp on the Indy Eleven, especially being here at home."

Ottawa Fury FC 0, FC Edmonton 2

Ottawa Fury FC hosted its Canadian rivals, FC Edmonton, in a rare Saturday afternoon game at TD Place. The Eddies, who needed a win to stay in the hunt for a spot in The Championship, came out strong, going up 1-0 after just nine minutes. Forward Chad Burt was the one to find the net, finishing off a pass from Jamaican defender Lance Laing. Midway through the first half, Laing doubled the Eddies lead, scoring from a corner kick in odd fashion. The two goals were all FC Edmonton needed to earn three big points going into the final two games of the season.

Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 1

With a draw against the Atlanta Silverbacks, the Rowdies were eliminated from contention on Saturday night. A goal from forward Georgi Hristov got the Rowdies off to a great start on the road, but a second-half strike from Silverbacks forward Jaime Chavez helped Atlanta take a point from the game.

"I think we didn't do all that well in the first half, but in the second half, we totally dominated the game and we should have gotten more," said Silverbacks Interim Head Coach Alejandro Pombo. "I think the guys played amazing, but the result wasn't what we wanted."

NASL Fall Season Week 15 Scores

Minnesota United FC 0, New York Cosmos 0

Carolina RailHawks 1, Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1

Indy Eleven 1, San Antonio Scorpions 0

Ottawa Fury FC 0, FC Edmonton 2

Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 1

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 18, 2014


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