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NASL Minnesota United FC

RECAP |Minnesota Falls Short in Carolina

October 22, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


RECAP |Minnesota Falls Short in Carolina
RECAP |Minnesota Falls Short in Carolina
(Minnesota United FC)

CARY, NC (Saturday) -- Results across the league have added to the drama of the final week of North American Soccer League, as the Loons drop three points against Carolina RailHawks and Rayo OKC put Fort Lauderdale away 2-0 to push United out of the fourth and final spot in the postseason race with one match to play. Matt Fondy was the lone goalscorer for Carolina as Minnesota fell 1-0 away from home.

The Loons were quick to get things started, controlling the pace of the game through the opening ten minutes and creating a handful of chances. Ben Speas, Danny Cruz and JC Banks nearly connected early, but it was Kevin Venegas who had the first shot of the night for United, curling a free kick into the near post side netting in the sixth minute of play. Just a few minutes later, Damion Lowe knocked a ball down and played it back to Christian Ramirez at the top of the box, but his shot was deflected away from danger by the Carolina defense.

Things opened up in the match after the tenth minute, with Carolina playing the ball up to its attackers, holding up play and moving the ball back to crashing midfielders. However, it was the Loons that continued to create chances and force better opportunities on net. Speas found some space for himself in the 15th minute and hit a dipping shot, forcing the first save of the match from RailHawks' goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre.

Rejected by the crossbar in the 25th minute, the Loons looked like they had the opening goal in the bag after Ramirez and Banks opened up space for Cruz inside the penalty area. It was a clever give-and-go at midfield out of Ramirez and Banks that created a gap behind the Carolina defense for Cruz, who took a touch into a dangerous area and hit his shot high, beating Sylvestre but striking the crossbar.

United tallied one more chance before half, with Ibson finding Banks in space at the center of midfield. Ibson played the ball to Banks who turned quickly dribbled forward toward the top of the box. Seeing that the Carolina defenders were slow to step, Banks got his head up and hit a dipping shot from distance, much like the earlier effort from Speas. Again, Sylvestre did well, collecting the shot and keeping the match even at zero.

A good half from Minnesota ended scoreless, with United finding space and creating seven scoring opportunities with two shots on net. Goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock impressed for the Loons, with two top class saves to keep his team in the match. The first came from an Albert Watson shot at the top of the box, reacting well and tipping it over the bar. The second coming from a one-on-one breakaway in which Ndjock was patient, jumping in at the feet of the Carolina forward to stop the attack.

In the opening minute of the second half Ramirez had two shots on net, with the Loons starting strong looking for the go-ahead goal. It was a turnover in the midfield that cost United the first score of the night. Carolina was quick on the counter and found Brian Shriver alone in the outside corner of the penalty box. Shriver took his time to pick out a pass and placed it perfectly, connecting with Fondy for his third goal of the year.

The Loons trailed following that 51st minute goal, and it looked like bad would turn to worse in the 73rd minute when Lowe was flagged for a handball inside the box. Nazmi Albadawi stepped up to the spot for Carolina and struck his shot well high of the net. A reinvigorated Loon squad pressed forward and Kevin Venegas unleashed a shot from the near post that Sylvestre got a strong hand on and pushed away from danger.

Hope returned for Minnesota United just for a moment in the 81st minute when Banks found the back of the net. The ball was played into the box by Venegas who found Ramirez who centered the ball with a touch to Banks who tapped it home, but the assistant official had his flag raised for offside. Despite Ramirez and Banks playing in onside positions, the assistant saw a touch from Stefano Pinho on the cross and raised his flag early.

United created two more chances in the dying minutes of the match, with Speas nearly catching Sylvestre off guard from distance and Ramirez getting his foot on a ball that took a fortunate bounce his direction following a corner, however it wasn't meant to be for the Loons, as the final whistle blew-the Loons trailing 1-0.

All is not lost for United. Despite the loss, United can make the NASL postseason next weekend with a Rayo OKC loss and a final win at home against the New York Cosmos. Saturday will be the final NASL match at NSC Stadium for the Loons. After 25 years in Blaine, professional soccer is moving to Minneapolis alongside Major League Soccer. Find tickets for the final match of the season at mnunitedfc.com/tickets.

Lineups

Minnesota United Starting XI: GK Sammy Ndjock; D Justin Davis, Brent Kallman, Damion Lowe (Bernardo Añor 79'), Kevin Venegas; M Jeb Brovsky (Aaron Pitchkolan 36'), J.C. Banks, Ibson, Ben Speas, Danny Cruz (Stefano Pinho 68'); F Christian Ramirez

MNU Unused Subs: GK Steward Ceus; D Tiago Calvano, Chris Klute; M Jack Blake

Carolina RailHawks Starting XI: GK Bryan Sylvestre; D Steven Miller, Connor Tobin, Mickey Daly, Kareem Moses; M Tiyi Shipalane (Marvin Ceballos 87'), Matt Watson, Nazmi Albadawi, Austin Da Luz, Brian Shriver (Drew Beckie 90+2'); F Matt Fondy

CAR Unused Subs: GK Akira Fitzgerald; D Simon Mensing; M James Marcelin; F Omar Bravo, Billy Schuler

Match Events

Goals

51' - Fondy (Shriver) - CAR

Discipline

59' - Albadawi (YC) - CAR

67' - Pitchkolan (YC) - MNU

77' - Moses (YC) - CAR

About Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC plays in the 12-team North American Soccer League (NASL), which also includes the Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Rayo OKC, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Puerto Rico FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Ottawa Fury FC, Indy Eleven, Jacksonville Armada, Miami FC and the New York Cosmos. Find out more about Minnesota United at MNUnitedFC.com, Facebook.com/MNUnitedFC, and on Twitter @MNUnitedFC.

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RECAP |Minnesota Falls Short in Carolina
RECAP |Minnesota Falls Short in Carolina
   



North American Soccer League Stories from October 22, 2016


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