Minnesota United FC Forward Simone Bracalello Named North American Soccer League Player of the Month

June 4, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


MIAMI, Fla. (June 4, 2013) - Minnesota United FC forward Simone Bracalello has earned the media's vote as the North American Soccer League Player of the Month for May.

The Genoa, Italy native scored three of his total four goals last month. Bracalello had two tallies, including the game-winner in the 3-2 road victory over the defending NASL champion Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 25.

He leads Minnesota United in goals (four) and total shots and frequently conducts Minnesota's offensive creativity as well as taking the team's set pieces. He added three assists which ranks him second on the team. Bracalello's four goals currently have him tied for second-best in the 2013 NASL Spring Season.

"It feels good because it means I am helping my team win games," said Bracelello of the recognition. "More than that for me, it's the team's result that is important. If I get this recognition, and help to win the game, that's what's important. My teammates have helped me a lot. I have been more confident and I am playing better and this is a great reward."

The striker, who has played in his native Italy and had a stint in Australia before coming to Minnesota in 2010, helped his club to win the 2011 NASL championship crown.

"He has had a great start to the season and has really contributed a lot," said United coach Manny Lagos. "He has stepped up and has scored some great goals and had some great assists. It's a great honor for him. Mentally and physically he has really embraced the leadership role and is really helping us out on both sides of the ball. He has really embraced working hard defensively, keeping us organized and compact. It nice for him to receive this recognition."

Atlanta Silverbacks forward Danny Barerra finished second in May's Player of the Month voting, which is decided by members of the media who regularly feature the NASL. Barrera has two goals and a team-leading three assists this season. The Colombian native also scored the game-winner for Atlanta in the 1-0 triumph over San Antonio which lifted the Silverbacks to atop of the NASL Spring Season Standings

RailHawks midfielder Austin Da Luz took third place in May. He has a goal and a team-leading four assists, which ranks him tied for first in the league this season. Da Luz dished out back-to-back two-assist games against Minnesota and San Antonio respectively last month to keep the RailHawks among the top spots in the NASL Standings.

In total, nine players were nominated for the May Player of the Month award. The other candidates for recognition were:

D: Mark Bloom, Atlanta Silverbacks

M: Javier Saavedra, San Antonio Scorpions

M: Carlos Salazar, Fort Lauderdale Strikers

F: Michael Cox, FC Edmonton

F: Zach Schilawski, Carolina RailHawks

F: Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies



North American Soccer League Stories from June 4, 2013


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