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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC Upset in US Open Cup

May 21, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Minnesota United FC's campaign in the 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a short one after falling to the Des Moines Menace 1-0 thanks to Brandon Fricke's 86th minute goal. Minnesota had the run of play through most of the second half, but the Menace made the most of a late corner as Fricke's glancing header from Jimmy Tulloch's cross found its way past a sprawling Matt VanOekel and in at the far post to send the upset-minded Menace to a third round match against Open Cup holders Sporting Kansas City.

"It's a tough one to take, it really is," Minnesota head coach Manny Lagos said after the game. "Des Moines executed the kind of game plan you have to in a situation like this, so credit of course to them, but we're disappointed not to do better with the chances we created throughout the game."

The Menace tested VanOekel in the 23rd and 24th minute as Shadow Sebele and Albert Edward both shot from 20 yards, each eying the top corner and each denied by VanOekel's fingertips. At the other end, Minnesota's Pablo Campos brought a sprawling save out of Angevine with a curling right-footed shot from the top of the penalty area. Minnesota forward Travis Wall also had a shot cleared off the goal line following a scramble in the box.

Minnesota threatened throughout the second half as Des Moines looked content to counter. Wall missed a chance in the 57th minute to put United FC ahead, sending a shot wide as he fell backward after a corner fell to the ground in the box. Substitute Geison Moura had a goal waved off 10 minutes later after Campos was called offside when heading the ball down. In the 73rd minute, Campos dragged a tight-angle shot wide, and five minutes later he fought through multiple defenders before sending a shot just over the bar.

Content to counter, it was a rare push forward that set up Des Moines' game-winning corner kick. Tulloch's cross found Fricke peeling off his marker near the penalty spot, and his glancing header found the corner just inside the far post.

Minnesota was unlucky not to find an immediate equalizer as Campos rose well to head a Michael Reed free kick off the bar before Des Moines scrambled it clear. Minnesota had almost exclusive hold of the ball in the final minutes and stoppage but couldn't find another shot on goal.

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