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NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota vs. Des Moines - Preview - May 21

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


A chance to face the reigning Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champion is in the cards, but first Minnesota United FC must take care of business in the second round of the country's oldest soccer competition. Minnesota faces the Des Moines Menace tonight at 7 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in Roseville, Minn. The winner of the match progresses to the third round, where Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City waits to host as it begins its defense of its 2012 US Open Cup title.

"Now that we know who's playing after that, we have to be ready and mentally focused to do our job Tuesday night," Minnesota head coach Manny Lagos said. "It won't be easy when you have a bunch of young guys who are going to play their hearts out against you, so you have to step on the field with the same type of mentality and intensity."

Minnesota enters the match losers of two straight league games, including a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Saturday afternoon. Despite long spells of dominance, Minnesota watched the defending North American Soccer League champion Tampa Bay Rowdies leave town with all three points thanks to three opportunistic goals, including one in the 90th minute.

The Menace, of the fourth-division USL Premier Development League, earned the right to face Minnesota tonight at the University of Minnesota's intimate soccer stadium with a first round victory. Des Moines defeated the National Premier Soccer League's Madison 56ers 1-0 at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa, last Wednesday night. Des Moines is unbeaten all competitions early this season, having posted a win and a draw in league play to go along with its first round Open Cup victory.

Tickets for the game at the University of Minnesota's intimate outdoor soccer stadium will be $10 for adults and $5 for youth age 17 and younger. Online presale ends at noon today, after which time tickets will only be available at the stadium entrance.

Pitting teams from all levels from amateur through professional, the Open Cup is a single-elimination knockout tournament first contested in 1914. The winner of the competition earns a cash prize and a berth in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, the premier international club competition in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Minnesota defeated the Menace and MLS' Real Salt Lake in 2012 before falling 1-0 to MLS side San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round.

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