NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Win 2-1 in Stoppage-Time Thriller

Published on April 19, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Ottawa, ON (Saturday, April 19th, 2014) -- On a cool, windy day in Canada's capital, Minnesota United FC struck at the death in the Ottawa Fury's franchise home opener. A first half goal from Miguel Ibarra in the 37th minute and a dominant possession game seemed to point to a relaxing game for United, but the Fury, supported by a spirited home crowd, equalized early in the second. It would fall to the absolute final second for the pressure and persistance of the Minnesota attack to bear fruit, but it did in the end, with Christian Ramirez heading home the winner on the game's final kick.

"We are excited to be part of a franchise's first ever game in the League," said United head coach Manny Lagos. "We were certainly challenged on the soccer side today, but really thrilled to get our second straight road win. I'm just proud of the guys, I thought we did really well in the first half and we regrouped in the second half and were able to get the late winner."

The Loons began the game well with the wind at their back, pressing the ball aggressively in the midfield and preventing Ottawa from building any defensive rhythm. On the offensive end, United enjoyed an advantage with the wind, but were unable to keep the ball well enough to string together the final pass. The speed of the turf seemed to cause problems for both teams, with players taking heavy touches and losing the ball.

After a flashing run down the left by Ottawa wingback Maykon, the Fury seemed to gain a spark in their play, and the next few minutes were much more even. During that stretch, in the 18th minute Juliano Vicentini was knocked over from behind by an Ottawa attacker and was subbed off a minute later with a groin injury.

The best chance of the early going fell to the feet of striker Christian Ramirez, who was played a surprising ball by new entrant Greg Jordan in the 26th minute and was all alone on the break. But Ramirez didn't seem to know the space he was in, and also appeared to misjudge the bounce of the ball of the turf, striking the ball early and well over the goal.

The breakthrough came in the 37th minute, as the ball was played on the ground through the Ottawa midfield and flicked on by Christian Ramirez into the path of Miguel Ibarra, who split a seam in the Fury back line. Ibarra took a touch to control before placing the ball into the left side of the net and putting the Loons up.

Both teams would head into halftime with a few more half chances, but nothing more to show for it.

United came out of the locker room for the second half with more aggression and pressure, mirroring their start. But Ottawa elated the home crowd and subdued Minnesota's energy by striking in the 50th minute with a goal against the run of play. The Fury found space down their left wing as rightback Kevin Venegas went down and no foul was called. The ball was crossed in, and the Fury collected on the other side, found a foot of space against Justin Davis and then chipped the ball in. Vini Dantas got on the end of the ball and headed point blank for the equalizer and Fury's first ever NASL goal.

The chances piled up for the Loons, who gradually gained more and more dominance in possession. In the 70th as Minnesota was able to string together a few dangerous passes in the box, but Miguel Ibarra's attempt to chip across goal was blocked and the resulting corner came to nothing.

In the 86th minute, with Minnesota again applying the pressure, the Loons would be awarded a free kick right outside of the top of the box. Kevin Venegas stepped up to take the shot, from a position nearly identical to the one he scored from last week. He barely missed again, clipping the top of the wall.

The fourth official called for six minutes of extra time and both teams sensed a chance to grab the whole three points. United had a golden opportunity thwarted as Ramirez was played open on the left and tried to slip a ball through to an open Ibarra, but an Ottawa defender's trailing foot got in the way of the ball and prevented what would've been a tap in for Ibarra.

It seemed like the game was destined to end in a draw, but Minnesota pressed Ottawa as the six minutes expired, and referee David Barrie was reluctant to call an end to the game during a promising attack. That attack became a free kick just outside the box on the left side, and Minnesota and Ottawa fans watching with baited breath, Venegas stepped up and floated the ball to the far post. Ottawa goalkeeper Devala Gorrick misjudged the ball, and it drifted onto the head of Ramirez at the far post who headed the ball back into the danger zone to see it trickle across the line for the game winning effort. There would be no reply as the game was called immediately following the kickoff, and United walked off the field deserved-if extremely relieved-winners.

"It felt amazing just to reward our team effort in that fashion to be able to take three points again on the road that we felt we deserved," said an elated Ramirez. "Credit to all our guys on continuing to fight."

The win gives Minnesota six points (all from away matches) to start the NASL Spring Season. That's enough to lead the league, at least until fellow week one winners New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers play later tonight. Minnesota will hope to win their third game in a row this season (and fifth in a row dating back to 2013) at home, on Saturday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. against FC Edmonton for the Flyover Cup.

With two strong performances on the field and the team breaking club season ticket records, this opener promises to be unlike any in MNUFC history so far. Tickets are available online or at 763.4SOCCER!

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



North American Soccer League Stories from April 19, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central