NASL Minnesota United FC

NSC Minnesota's Unbeaten Streak Stopped at Four Games

Published on May 24, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Two bad rebounds cost the NSC Minnesota dearly in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday night as expansion FC Edmonton leapfrogged the Stars into second place in the North American Soccer League. Kyle Porter scored two goals for Edmonton, who won 2-1 to claim the first home win in their short history.

The loss drops the Stars into third place in the NASL with a record of 3-2-3 and 12 points. Edmonton moves a point above the Stars into second with a 4-2-1 record.

Simone Bracalello's team-leading third goal gave the Stars a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. Only seconds after Edmonton goalkeeper Rein Baart made a point-blank save to keep the game scoreless, Ely Allen found Bracalello unmarked at the back post, and the Italian forward's header gave Baart no chance.

The lead didn't even last two minutes. Edmonton attacked straight from the kickoff, and Porter beat Stars defender Justin Davis to the rebound after goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel could only deflect Kyle Yamada's low, curling shot.

The Stars had two decent chances to regain the lead before halftime. Jeff Cosgriff dribbled past two Edmonton defenders near the top of the penalty area, but he couldn't quite make space for himself to get a shot off despite his excellent position. Chris Clements put a shot on goal with the last kick of the first half, popping up at the back post to volley a flicked-on corner kick, but his low shot lacked power and Baart saved it easily.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, but it was another opportunistic moment from Porter that made the difference in the game. The Stars had two defenders deflect a cross, teeing the ball up at the top of the area for a shot. That shot also deflected, and the rebound fell to Porter at the top of the six-yard box, and the forward just slipped the ball past Van Oekel as the Stars goalkeeper raced from one post to the other.

With the Stars pushing forward in numbers, playing in a 3-4-3 after head coach Manny Lagos substituted a defender for a forward with 10 minutes to play, Edmonton had two good counterattack chances to bury the game. First, substitute Michael Cox got behind the Stars' back line, but he pushed his shot just wide of the near post on the breakaway. Two minutes later, Shaun Saiko found himself in a similar position after a clever passing move by Edmonton at the top of the penalty area, but the midfielder rushed his shot and put it well over the crossbar.

Bracalello nearly made Edmonton pay by grabbing a second, but Baart did well with 10 minutes remaining to cut down the Italian forward's angle and stop him on a breakaway. Substitutes Tino Nunez and Devin Del Do played a one-two before Del Do slipped Bracalello through on goal, but Baart was fast off his line and left the Stars goalscorer with no room to notch a second and save a point for the visitors.

The Stars return to Minnesota Tuesday to begin preparations for a home game Saturday against FC Tampa Bay. Prior to their disappointing trip to Edmonton, the Stars posted a 2-0-2 record during a four-game homestand, tying league-leading Carolina and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and defeating the Atlanta Silverbacks and 2010 champion Puerto Rico. For tickets to Saturday's game at NSC Stadium, call the Stars ticket office, 763.792.7355.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 24, 2011


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