Minnesota United FC Travels to Face Struggling Strikers
Published on May 10, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (May 10, 2013) - Currently leading the North American Soccer League by the narrowest of margins, Minnesota United FC will look to make its first trip to South Florida a happy one by coming home with a win and, depending on results from other matches, first place solidified.
United FC head coach Manny Lagos will lead his unbeaten squad to Lockhart Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who currently sit last in the NASL and will be in desperate need of three points to kickstart their Spring season as it nears its halfway point. Despite Fort Lauderdale's struggles-just a single point from four matches and riding a three-game losing streak-Lagos isn't looking past the Strikers.
"Fort Lauderdale has played pretty well and have been a little unfortunate," Lagos said. "It's set up to be a big matchup for both teams. We aren't feeling as great as we would like to after our tie at home, so it's a big game for us, and we're going against a team that's done well in terms of their play but not in terms of results."
Fort Lauderdale has had an extra week to prepare for the match. While the extra practice time will have been welcomed by Strikers head coach Daryl Shore, the extra rest for recovering offensive weapons like Mark Anderson and Walter Restrepo could be the real boost from the team's bye week. Restrepo scored a consolation goal in Fort Lauderdale's last match, a 2-1 loss at home against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in just his third game back since an ACL tear ended his 2012 campaign, while Anderson has been looking to regain his goalscoring form from 2012 after struggling through the preseason with an injury.
On the other side of the ball, Fort Lauderdale will get a boost from the addition of 2012 Best XI goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who joined the team on loan from Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake this week. With regular starter Matt Glaeser struggling to start the season-Fort Lauderdale has allowed a league-high eight goals-and Cody Laurendi lost for the year after suffering a lacerated kidney against Tampa Bay in his first start, Attinella could quickly make the No. 1 spot his own. Shore hinted at such, telling NASL.com that Attinella "knows our league and will be able to contribute right away."
For its part, Minnesota will hope to test whomever is in goal for Fort Lauderdale early and often. United FC has started games slowly this season, scoring just two first-half goals, but got a boost in its last game as 2011 NASL MVP Etienne Barbara notched his first two goals of the season, the first coming on an assist from his strike partner, 2012 MVP Pablo Campos. The duo is complemented from outside by Simone Bracalello, who has two goals and two hit crossbars to his credit this year, and Miguel Ibarra, who looked dangerous in the first half of last Saturday's 2-2 draw at home against the Carolina RailHawks.
Defensively, coach Lagos said the team learned a hard lesson in last week's match, in which short corner kicks helped set up both Carolina goals, including an 84th minute equalizer that erased an otherwise solid half on both sides of the ball.
"With any new team, you're going to have moments that are great and moments that you're still at a learning stage," Lagos said. "We're a new team this year, and we're trying to jell as fast as we can. No doubt, there's been some positives, and there's some areas we need to work to be more competitive."
Saturday night's game, like all NASL matches in 2013, will be broadcast online for free via MNUnitedFC.com/gameday, strikers.com or NASL.com/live. Fans in Minnesota are also encouraged to attend watch parties in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. For more information on watch parties, visit MNUnitedFC.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 10, 2013
- Eddies Look to Impress Moms on Sunday against the Atlanta Silverbacks - FC Edmonton
- Silverbacks Head North of the Border for Clash with FC Edmonton - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Eddies Announces National TV Deal and Jersey Sponsorship - FC Edmonton
- Minnesota United FC Travels to Face Struggling Strikers - Minnesota United FC
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