USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

NSC Minnesota Stars Continue Playoff Push Against Vancouver Whitecaps

Published on August 13, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (August 13, 2010) - The NSC Minnesota Stars begin a two-game homestand Saturday night with a 7:10 p.m. kick off against the Major League Soccer bound Vancouver Whitecaps. It will be the third match of the season between the two teams and the first in Minnesota.

The Stars enter the match having tied five consecutive matches, including a midweek 2-2 draw in Portland against the Timbers, who are also bound for MLS in 2011. Each draw brings a valuable point in the standings, but the team knows it will need to earn a few victories in order to cement one of eight USSF Division 2 Pro League playoff spots. The Stars are currently in fourth place in the league standings, but sit three spots lower in seventh place on a points-per-game basis due to the fact they've played a league-high 23 matches.

It's a dangerous spot to be in, said head coach Manny Lagos, as games mean much more with fewer of them, but there's an advantage, too. "We have longer windows right now between games than the rest of the league, and that'll help keep our guys fresh," he said. "An extra few days here and there go a long way to healing little knocks and bruises."

Despite the lack of wins, the Stars' play in the last five matches has been full of positives. Midfield possession has been controlling the tempo of games and leading to more scoring chances. The team has scored eight goals in that span, including three games with two goals, a sign that the team has made progress offensively after struggling in front of goal early in the season. Before a 2-2 tie with St. Louis on July 14, the Stars had scored more than once in only two of 18 games this season.

Another positive is the improved play of Andrei Gotsmanov. The midfielder began the season as a starter, but a series of injuries hampered him in the middle of the season. In the last two games, Gotsmanov's left foot has provided three assists.

"Andrei's having an influence on games. He's calm on the ball, but he's been smart with his passes, especially in front of goal, and he brings a very good left foot into our lineup," Lagos said.

As his team gets healthier - injured left back Chris Clements is close to returning from a hamstring tear, which will give the Stars another option on a backline that has consisted primarily of the same four players since Clements limped off against Crystal Palace Baltimore on July 4 - Lagos expects a hard push through the final seven games of the season. He wouldn't say how many points he believes it will take to secure a postseason berth, but Lagos said getting more than just two draws in the team's next two home games will go a long way toward making the playoffs.

"We're in a spot we want to be in right now," he said. "We can control our season, especially with games against teams close to us and games at home. We know about the big picture, but we know how important each game is from here on out, and we're focused on each game as a part of that big picture."

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 13, 2010


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