NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Scores Five Straight Goals to Defeat Strikers

September 26, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Kalif Alhassan of Minnesota United Celebrates
Kalif Alhassan of Minnesota United Celebrates
(Minnesota United FC)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Saturday, September 26th, 2015) -- Minnesota United cruised to a 5-2 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday night. Christian Ramirez, Ibson, and Daniel Mendes led the charge with multiple points.

"It was a great win," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We played some great attacking soccer tonight. We played smart tonight, and really wanted three points."

Despite coming out strong, United could not hold off the Strikers, who took control of the ball and sneaked in behind the Minnesota defense. Gabriel found space on the right to cut toward the Minnesota goal and passed across to teammate Jose Angulo to tap home an early goal for Fort Lauderdale.

The Loons worked quickly to erase the deficit. Greg Jordan attempted a shot from outside the box that took a deflection off a pair of Strikers defenders. The bouncing ball fell to Daniel Mendes, who was kept onside from the deliberate play of the defense. Mendes tapped the ball to forward Christian Ramirez on the other side of the net for a clear shot to even the score.

United continued to dominate the match, continuing to press the Strikers goal and taking advantage of giveaways in the midfield. One give away set up Kalif Alhassan, who saw Strikers goalkeeper Josh Ford off his line. Alhassan curled the ball into the far upper corner to give Minnesota the lead.

Just before halftime, United put the finishing touch on its first 45 minutes. Fort Lauderdale failed to control the ball after a goal kick, with Ibson winning the ball for Minnesota. The Brazilian midfielder quickly played the ball up to Mendes, who blew past his defender to slot home the third goal of the half for the Loons.

The second half was more of the same with Minnesota controlling the game, not giving the Strikers a moment of rest. Ibson added to his assist earlier in the game with a tap-in goal set up by Ramirez after a deflection in front of the net.

Ibson wasn't done yet. As the game entered the final minutes, Ibson once again got an easy chance in front of goal. Pablo Campos played a central ball to J.C. Banks, who saw Ford rushing toward him to make a save. Banks knocked the ball over to Ibson to chip into the Strikers goal, completing United's five-goal run.

The Strikers didn't go quietly though. League-leading scorer Stefano Pinho headed a pass to Angulo at the top of the United penalty area. The rocket-shot was out of the reach of United goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock, cutting the Loons' lead to three. Angulo thought he had a hat trick in stoppage time, but an offside call took the goal back.

The victory extends Minnesota's unbeaten streak to nine games, bringing it back to second place in the Combined Standings.

United is back home next Saturday to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies a busy final month of the season. Four of the final five matches for Minnesota will be at home in Blaine. See the Loons make their push for the postseason by calling 763.4SOCCER or visiting MNUnitedFC.com/tickets.

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Images from this story

Kalif Alhassan of Minnesota United Celebrates
Kalif Alhassan of Minnesota United Celebrates
   



North American Soccer League Stories from September 26, 2015


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