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USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

NSC Minnesota Stars Ready for AC St. Louis

July 13, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (July 13, 2010) - As they approach the final third of their USSF Division 2 Pro League season, the message from NSC Minnesota Stars players is clear: It's crunch time. The Stars take on AC St. Louis for the third time this season at 7 p.m. Wednesday at NSC Stadium.

The Stars began the season at a frenetic pace, playing 11 games between April 11 and May 29 before finally seeing their schedule get less hectic. As a result, the Stars, who have played a league-high 18 games this season, have fewer games to earn points toward one of the league's eight playoff spots. The Stars currently sit in fifth place overall in the league, but the rest of the pack could close in as it makes up games in hand. Some teams have played as many as five games fewer than the Stars and could make up ground on NSC Minnesota quickly as they play them. The solution?

Keep winning.

"We need to make sure we get results in the final third of this season and collect as many points as possible," defender Kevin Friedland said.

The Stars did just that Saturday night, defeating FC Tampa Bay 1-0 at NSC Stadium for their fifth win in eight games. After starting the season 2-7-1 and allowing 17 goals, the Stars are 5-2-1 since a 3-2 victory on May 29 over AC St. Louis.

A tighter defense has been the primary reason for the Stars recent success. In their last eight matches, the Stars have allowed only six goals and held opponents scoreless four times. At times it's been scrappy, but head coach Manny Lagos is pleased with the team's willingness to work hard for each other.

"I'm really pleased that the guys are finding ways to come off the field with a win," he said.

That teamwork was on full display last Saturday when the Stars picked up a 1-0 win against FC Tampa Bay. Defender Scott Lorenz set up the only goal of the match in the 28th minute, when his cross from the left wing was deflected into the goal by a Tampa defender. For the remaining hour, the Stars stifled Tampa Bay's attack while looking for chances to extend their lead.

"What we saw in the second half was everybody working hard and committing to defending," Friedland said after the match, "yet we still created a lot of chances."

If those chances start turning into goal, Lagos' team could start thinking about a playoff spot. In their past two games, the Stars have created 17 shots, but the only goal they have to show for their efforts is the own-goal on Saturday night.

"If there's one area that we can work on, it's our finishing," Lagos said after Saturday's match. "For the second game in a row, it wasn't as strong as we'd like it. I think that's just a matter of picking your head up and keep trying to make the next one count."

The Stars attackers know Wednesday night will present a good chance to find their form. The Stars' first multiple-goal game of the season was against AC St. Louis in May, and St. Louis is allowing a league high 1.43 goals per game. Forward Warren Ukah admitted forwards are a streaky bunch and the Stars' frontline wants to have the same impact the defense has had in the past month-and-a-half.

"Defense and scoring are parts of a team-oriented performance," he said. "As strikers, it's a relief to get our goals, and when you do you always feel like there's more to come."

Advance tickets for Wednesday night's match are available online at NSCMinnesota.org/tickets or by calling the box office at (763) 792-7355. Fans are welcome to bring noisemakers to the stadium, including the souvenir vuvuzelas PUMA handed out during the World Cup final viewing party. The National Sports Center is advising fans to allow extra time to get to the stadium due to the increased traffic during the USA CUP.

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


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