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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Kickoff 2016 North American Soccer League Campaign against RailHawks

April 1, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The wait is finally over. Preseason trips have concluded, new signings have arrived and all that remains is the opening kickoff. For the Loons, that means traveling to Cary, North Carolina, to play a much-improved RailHawks side at WakeMed Park. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CDT - fans can catch all the action live on My29TV and ESPN3.

While there has been plenty to talk about away from the pitch this offseason with stadium progress and entry into Major League Soccer lingering, the talented United roster and coaching staff remain focused on the task at hand and aim to kick the 2016 NASL campaign off on a high note. Facing a Carolina side that has brought in a lot of new faces, United Head Coach Carl Craig had kind words to share about the club, but added that his team is ready to play and he fully expects to take three points from the trip.

"Carolina has had a lot of changes, some heavy investment in that squad and I'm sure they're well prepared," said Craig. "They'll be one of the front-runners in the league and we've got to be up there, match them, and do better than match them. It's been a long preseason; it's time to get to work-simple as that. We're going down there to win, our goal is to win the Spring Championship."

Minnesota United spent much of the preseason working on pushing the pace at the top of the pitch, forcing turnovers, then collecting the ball and controlling it to force imbalance and punish their opponents. It's a new focus for the club under the leadership of first-time Head Coach Carl Craig, and one that requires players to remain disciplined for a full 90 minutes.

"The new information the coaches are trying to get across is absolutely brilliant," said United midfielder Lance Laing. "Everyone is buying into it and working very hard and come Saturday we should see good stuff."

United added 10 new players to the roster for the 2016 season including Laing. The new signings bring Minnesota's current and past NASL Best XI selections to eight and help compose one of the most impressive rosters in the league. Following a successful offseason and preseason, the Loons look to begin the road toward lifting the Spring Season Cup this June with a win on Saturday against Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT.

Minnesota United Match Details

Kickoff: 2 p.m. CDT

Opponent: Carolina RailHawks

Broadcast: My29TV, ESPN 3

Watch Party: North Gate Brewing

Twitter: @MNUnitedFC, @mnunitedgameday

Next Home Match:

Catch Minnesota United live at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine on April 16th at the United home opener. Tickets are available today. The Loons kick off against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in their third match of the 2016 NASL Season.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



North American Soccer League Stories from April 1, 2016


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