USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

NSC Minnesota Stars to Close out Regular Season in Tampa

September 23, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Sept. 23, 2010) -- With a playoff berth secured, the NSC Minnesota Stars will be looking to build on a three-game winning streak Friday night in their final match of the regular season against an FC Tampa Bay side that's playing only for pride in front of its home crowd. Friday's match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CDT and will be streamed live on NSCMinnesota.org.

Miami's 4-2 victory over AC St. Louis Wednesday night cemented Minnesota's spot in the postseason, but the game in Tampa isn't without playoff implications. Seeding at both ends of the USSF Division 2 Pro League table is still up in the air with no teams locked into any of the postseason's eight seeds. Three teams - Rochester, Austin and Portland - could claim the No. 1 overall seed, and all eight teams who have locked up the berths could move at least two places up or down in the table.

The Stars currently occupy the No. 7 seed, one point ahead of the Puerto Rico Islanders, who hold a match in hand on the Stars. The Stars are tied on points with the Montreal Impact, but would likely need to finish ahead of Montreal on points due to the Impact's much better goal differential.

"We've achieved one of our team goals and reached the postseason, and we want to carry momentum into the playoffs no matter where we're seeded," Stars head coach Manny Lagos said. "We don't have control over the games we're not playing in, so we're letting the pieces fall where they may as far as seeding is concerned."

Nonetheless, the Stars will likely play a strong squad in their fourth match of the season with FC Tampa Bay. The Stars lead the season series 2-1 with the home team winning each match so far. The Stars fell 3-1 at Steinbrenner Field on May 27, a result Lagos believes his team can improve upon through its improved finishing and a defense that hasn't allowed a goal in more than three games.

The biggest headache Lagos faces for his squad is at right back. First-choice starter Kevin Friedland was a late scratch with a calf injury. Chris Clements, who had been starting on the right since returning from a hamstring injury, is suspended from Friday's match after picking up his fifth yellow card during the Stars' 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. Brian Kallman, who began the season as a starting center back, and Norwegian defender Thomas Granum will battle for the starting nod Friday night.

In the midfield, Lagos will likely continue to pair Kentaro Takada and Daniel Wasson in the middle with Lucas Rodriguez and Ely Allen on the wings. Up top, Devin Del Do and Simone Bracalello will look to further build a budding partnership that's produced four goals in the past three games.

"We have two confident forwards playing well with each other right now," Lagos said after Saturday's win over Vancouver. "Just as importantly, the midfield is linking well and transitioning us quickly between defense and attack."

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 23, 2010


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