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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Opens Mexico Preseason Tour with 2-1 Win

March 9, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Minnesota United FC in Preseason Action
Minnesota United FC in Preseason Action
(Minnesota United FC)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - On a day when rain turned to hail, the Loons fought back from an early deficit to defeat the Pachuca Reserves 2-1. Christian Ramirez found the back of the net in the 31st minute to even things up after Pachuca struck early, finding space behind the United defense. It was Lance Laing who scored the game-winner, earning the Loons a 2-1 win in the 76th minute with his first goal for Minnesota United since joining the club this past December. United gaffer Carl Craig said he was pleased with the result, but will be looking to build upon this win in the two remaining friendlies in Mexico.

"Obviously pleased with the outcome, particularly given the circumstances that we found ourselves in going into the game," said Craig. "Yesterday we faced a sandstorm, today we faced a hailstorm and howling wind, so given the altitude that we're at as well, if you watch the game from behind a camera all the time it's just any other game, but the reality is with an 18-hour travel coming to altitude, conditions just very very difficult, so I can only take my hat off to the fellas."

The rain fell throughout the night leading up to kickoff Wednesday morning, as the Loons took to a slick pitch to face the Pachuca Reserves. The Mexican side's first team drew in the Copa Mexico 3-3 the night before against Monterrey, but a young and eager team awaited Minnesota United. That energy was evident from kickoff and the Loons were on their heels early. Before an adjustment could be made, Pachuca opened scoring, placing a pass through the backline to an overlapping midfielder who was able to place it past goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock in the 16th minute.

Things settled down a bit for United following the opening goal. Several players created opportunities in the final third, but it was Christian Ramirez who found his finishing touch, placing a low shot to the right of the 'keeper from outside the penalty area after Ben Speas laid it off at his feet.

At half, both teams made major adjustments in personnel. United took off the full squad with the exceptions of Jeb Brovsky and Sammy Ndjock, who were taken off a short time after the second half kicked off. For the Pachuca Reserves, the halftime switch was one of many-as the young squad rotated more than 30 new players into the match throughout the morning.

"Given the long travel and the fatigue, and the impact on everyone I had to balance it a little bit more, so basically had two groups for 45 minutes because with the altitude the guys take a run and it's just zapping the energy from them," said Craig.

Pachuca had several early chances to retake the lead, but Ndjock held strong in the net-continuing his good preseason form. It was the Loons who found a breakthrough in the 76th minute, when Lance Laing took the ball near half field and dribbled it past several Pachuca players. Laing had passed on a chance earlier in the half, but gave no thought to passing this time around and he blasted a shot off the near bar from a tight angle past the Pachuca 'keeper into the back of the net.

Rain turned to hail in the 83rd minute and lightning forced the center official to blow the final whistle, awarding United a 2-1 win in its first match of the Mexico preseason trip.

The Loons are back in action on March 12th, kicking off in a friendly against the Mexico U-20 National Team at 11 a.m. CST. Find updates throughout that match at twitter.com/mnunitedfc and find highlights following the game at mnunitedfc.com. Watch Minnesota United live as the NASL season kicks off at home on April 16th, season ticket packages available now at mnunitedtickets.com.

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Minnesota United FC in Preseason Action
Minnesota United FC in Preseason Action
   



North American Soccer League Stories from March 9, 2016


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