NSC Minnesota Stars drop road match 1-0 to Miami FC
Published on May 22, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release
After five consecutive draws to open the season, Miami FC picked up its first win Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at the expense of the NSC Minnesota Stars. Paulo Araujo Jr. scored for the second time in as many games against the Stars to give Miami the only goal it needed in a 1-0 victory.
The two teams played an end-to-end, free-flowing game May 15 in Blaine, Minn., but after one half Saturday night that seemed like a distant memory. Neither team was sharp with the ball in the first half, and both sides struggled to get shots in the opening 45 minutes. NSC Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren dove well to his right early to steer a shot away from goal, but the majority of Miami's first half chances were well off target.
The Stars struggled just as much in the offensive third, taking nearly 20 minutes to even register a shot on goal, which Simone Bracalello disappointingly hit right at Miami goalkeeper Caleb Patterson after creating space for himself at the top of the penalty area.
After playing a cautious first half, Miami looked relentless in the second in its pursuit of its first victory of the 2010 USSF Division-2 Pro League season, dominating possession and keeping the Stars pinned in their own end for long stretches. The hosts again struggled to find the final ball on offense, but by the time Araujo Jr. put them in the lead with about 20 minutes remaining, they had seemed for some time the only side likely to score on the night.
Defender Cristiano Dias pushed forward in the 63rd minute to head a cross just over the bar. Five minutes later, Bryan Arguez shot high from the top of the penalty arc.
Araujo Jr. made no mistake in the 71st minute. Former Major League Soccer MVP Christian Gomez carried the ball for 15 yards just left of the center channel before playing Aruajo through. The Brazilian forward carried the ball from just inside the penalty area to the corner of the six-yard box before slamming the ball past a helpless Warren and just inside the far post.
Following the goal, the Stars made a few attack-minded subs, bringing Warren Ukah on to replace Brian Cvilikas at forward and Melvin Tarley on as a substitute for Simone Bracalello. Even with the changes, the Stars struggled to create chances as Miami FC closed down space inside the penalty box and smothered the NSC Minnesota central midfielders with immediate pressure every time they received the ball.
Daniel Wasson had the best chance to tie the game. In the first of five minutes of stoppage time, Wasson snuck into the Miami box unmarked, but Leilei Gao's cross from the left wing was just behind him, and Wasson could get little power on his header as he compensated. Patterson held the effort easily, and Miami comfortably turned the Stars away for their first win of the season.
With the loss, the are now 2-6-1 on the season and have lost three consecutive road games. They'll host AC St. Louis on May 29 at NSC Stadium in Blaine in a battle of struggling first-year franchises.
NSC Minnesota Lineup (4-5-1): Joe Warren, Kevin Friedland (Scott Lorenz 70), Brian Kallman, Andres Arango, Chris Clements, Kyle Altman, Geison Moura (Leilei Gao 64), Simone Bracalello (Melvin Tarley 72), Daniel Wasson, Johnny Menyongar, Brian Cvilikas (Warren Ukah 72)
Miami FC Lineup (4-4-2): Caleb Patterson, Euzebio Neto, JP Rodrigues, Cristiano Dias, Chris Gbandi, Bryan Arguez, Martyn Lancaster, Paulo LePetit, Christian Gomez, Abe Thompson, Paulo Araujo Jr.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 22, 2010
- Whitecaps FC defeat Rhinos - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Portland extends winning streak to four games to start the season - Portland Timbers
- Baltimore Fells Timbers for Second Time in Ten Days - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- NSC Minnesota Stars drop road match 1-0 to Miami FC - Minnesota United FC
- Miami FC Earns First Win of the Season against NSC Minnesota - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Portland's Ryan Pore scores seventh goal of the season in loss - Portland Timbers
- NSC Minnesota Stars drop road match 1-0 to Miami FC - Minnesota United FC
- The Impact Faces Italian Club Fiorentina Sunday - Montreal Impact
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