Minnesota United FC Falls 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale
Published on May 11, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - A slow start cost Minnesota United FC at Lockhart Stadium as two goals in the first 15 minutes propelled the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to a 2-1 win. Mark Anderson and David Foley scored early before an hour-long lightning delay, and despite a man advantage for much of the second half, Minnesota couldn't fight back from a halftime deficit for a third successive game.
It took just two minutes for the Strikers to break the deadlock. Anderson, a 2012 North American Soccer League Best XI selection who scored four times against Minnesota last year, made it 1-0 with the first shot of the game. Given space to turn after a pass from Jemal Johnson at the top of the penalty area, Anderson put a left-footed shot into the net off United FC goalkeeper Daryl Sattler's far post.
Fort Lauderdale doubled its lead with the next meaningful attack. Midfielder Manny Gonzalez found Foley open near the top of the penalty area, and the Englishman needed just one touch to control the cross before slotting the ball past Sattler from 12 yards out to make it 2-0.
An hour-long lightning delay followed the second goal as the weather forced the referees to send the teams back to the locker rooms. Despite the chance to make adjustments, Minnesota still mustered only two shots in the second half and was lucky not to fall into a deeper hole after Jemal Johnson's shot-turned-cross trickled through goal box without finding a final touch.
Minnesota fought back in the second half and was dealt a major lifeline when Stephane Guillaume's second yellow card put the Strikers at a man disadvantage with 30 minutes to play. Minnesota took advantage in the 69th minute with Pablo Campos' first goal for United FC. Simone Bracalello's cross from the right wing skipped through the area for Campos to head home at the back post.
Bracalello should have levelled the scores with five minutes to play. A short corner led to a knockdown from Campos in the penalty area, but Bracalello sent his shot high and wide from eight yards out.
"We had our chances, no doubt about it," Minnesota head coach Manny Lagos said. "The first half took it out of us. We had our chances in the second, but credit to Fort Lauderdale, we couldn't pull it out."
Minnesota returns to the Metrodome next Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against the defending champion Tampa Bay Rowdies. Minnesota and Tampa Bay are tied with eight points from five matches and will meet for the first time since Tampa Bay pipped Minnesota to the 2012 NASL crown on penalty kicks last October. Tickets to next Saturday's match are available at MNUnitedFC.com or by calling (763) 331-8777.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 11, 2013
- Strikers Score Twice Early and Play a Man Down to Defeat Minnesota 2-1 at Lockhart - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United FC Falls 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Jump to Top of NASL with 5-2 Victory - North Carolina FC
- Scorpions Lose to Carolina 5-2 - San Antonio Scorpions
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