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NASL Minnesota United FC

Ramirez Hat Trick Leads Minnesota to 5-1 Win

July 2, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. -- Christian Ramirez scores the first United hat trick since 2013 in a 5-1 smashing at home against the Carolina RailHawks.

Conditions were ideal at NSC Stadium for the Fall Season opener between Minnesota United and the traveling Carolina RailHawks, and the match didn't disappoint with United finding the back of the net five times in a 5-1 thrashing of the RailHawks. Christian Ramirez was the hat trick hero for the Loons, scoring his first hat trick as a pro with Tiago Calvano and Stefano Pinho the other goalscorers for United in the match.

"It was a case of reminding them I and my staff trust in them, and we know they can play football and we've been there to support them but they've got to do their job and they've went and done their job, quite simple really," said United Head Coach Carl Craig. "Ultimately I think it was just a case that, I reminded them that we weren't the best team in the league, we were the fourth best team at the end of the Spring Season and that if we had any aspirations of being the best team we can't walk around talking about it we've actually got to do it. Something changed and it was tremendous, five goals."

It didn't take long for United to get forward and create chances in the final third after the opening whistle. Danny Cruz forced a turnover in the second minute, held off Carolina defender Paul Black and cut across his body near the edge of the box to let rip on Akira Fitzgerald for the first scoring chance of the game. United continued putting pressure on the RailHawk back four, with Christian Ramirez and Stefano Pinho both finding space and placing shots on net in the opening five minutes of play.

"I mishit the first one of the game, just because I took too long to get it off, but that's something that I study and to a fault sometimes I look chip goalies too much," said Ramirez.

United finally converted in the 20th minute to open scoring. Tiago Calvano played a high lofted ball into the box toward JC Banks, but it was intercepted by Drew Beckie who deflected it back toward Ramirez. Ramirez let it bounce once then hit a cracker from outside the penalty area, dipping down and knocking off the inside of the far bar into the net to hand United an early lead.

Just four minutes later Ramirez struck again, pouncing on a wayward pass from Connor Tobin and closing in on net all alone against Fitzgerald. Ramirez lifted his head and found the bottom-right corner of the goal. In total through the opening 45 minutes, United had five shots on net to Carolina's zero.

"Pitchkolan did a great job randomly leaving the midfield to press so I was just in the right place at the right time and as I got it I just thought I can't miss this now," said Ramirez.

"That second one was a Christian goal, he's had those opportunities early in the year," said Craig. "Obviously the first game of the year against these guys he scored a worldly goal, but he's had a few chances like that in the Spring Season where he didn't pull the trigger and then there he was back to his old self."

The Loons would strike once more before the center official called it a half, extending their lead to 3-0. Justin Davis rushed his throw and found the extended leg of Ramirez, who played a brilliant ball back to a free running Pinho. Pinho took one touch into the box then slotted it home past the outstretched hand of Fitzgerald for his fourth goal of the year.

Much as they did in the first, the Loons returned to the pitch in the second with a desire to get forward quickly and put pressure on the RailHawks back four. The result was a 47th minute goal from United defender Tiago Calvano. Kevin Venegas had an opportunity on net, but his attempt was deflected over the endline for a Minnesota corner. Venegas ran to the sideline and delivered a hard driven ball from the corner to Calvano's head just outside the six-yard box. Calvano met the ball beautifully and knocked it hard beyond the defender standing at the near bar for his first goal of the season.

Following United's fourth goal, the match opened up quite a bit for both clubs. The RailHawks pushed men forward in droves, while United countered quickly and found space in the final third. With both teams pressuring high up the pitch, long balls forced collisions in the midfield. The match was relatively clean, with just four cards total. However, United midfielder Jeb Brovsky was shocked in the 67th minute when he received a second yellow near the center line and his side was reduced to ten men. Brovsky received his first yellow at the beginning of the second half for a high boot.

Down a man, but still not content to sit back on its lead, United worked the ball forward as a unit and in the 75th minute Cruz delivered a low ball into the box that found the foot of Ramirez. Ramirez connected with the cross well, found a gap to the goalkeeper's right and buried it in the back of the net for the hat trick. It was the first Minnesota hat trick since Omar Daley scored three against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2013 and Ramirez's league-leading eighth goal of the year. In the 81st minute Ramirez was subbed off to a standing ovation from the United faithful.

"My first hat trick as a pro, so it's special," said Ramirez. "Definitely felt good to get the third goal, just because I've been talking about it for awhile-wanting to get a hat trick, and no better game to get it."

"Christian is a team player, of course he wants his goals but there has never been a time in this club where he hasn't put it out there for the team," said Craig.

Carolina found consolation in a 90th minute goal by Matt Watson. Carolina's leading assist-man Nazmi Albadawi found himself in possession deep in the United penalty area and played the ball back to Watson at the top of the box. Watson took a touch then hit it hard and low off the near bar into the back of the net. It was the final play of the half for either team, as the center official blew the game to a halt shortly thereafter with United winning in convincing fashion 5-1.

"It just shows you want can happen in the game if you don't keep your foot on the pedal and keep your mind engaged, even though we scored five against [Carolina] they showed us at the end that you cannot be stupid," said Craig.

United is on the road next Saturday in the first of two matches back-to-back against the Spring Champion Indy Eleven. The Loons return on July 16th to NSC Stadium for the second match against Eleven and the beginning of a three-match home stretch where United will kick off against Indy Eleven, Premier League club AFC Bournemouth and Fort Lauderdale. Find tickets today for all three matches at mnunitedfc.com/tickets.

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