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NASL Minnesota United FC

Rested Stars Ready For Montreal Trip

May 6, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (May 6, 2010) - After a 2-1 loss at home to the Austin Aztex last Saturday, the NSC Minnesota Stars finally had a week to regroup. The team opened the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season with six games in 20 days, leading to tired legs and limited practice times as cross-country trips and midweek games wrecked havoc on their training schedule.

"It's been nice to train without a midweek game," Stars head coach Manny Lagos said. "This week, there's been a better pace to training sessions for the first time this season."

Now rested, the Stars feel ready for what could be their most challenging road trip of the season, as they travel to Montreal for a Saturday afternoon match against the defending champion Impact. With four points from three matches, Montreal is currently in third place in the NASL Conference, but they boast one of the league's most intimidating atmospheres, as crowds of more than 12,000 frequently file into the Saputo Stadium.

Stars defender Andres Arango has played two stints in Montreal in his career, first in 2003 and then again in 2007. He said the Stars are eager for the trip.

"It's one of the best stadiums in the league," he said. "It gets a player up for it a little more knowing that 12,000 people are going to be watching. It really brings out your competitive spirit."

Montreal is currently in the midst of a string of matches much like the Stars had to open the season. Montreal had a two-week break between its season-opener at Austin and its first home match against Portland. Saturday's game will be the Impact's fifth game in less than two weeks. The Nutrilite Canadian Championship - the qualifying tournament for the Canadian spot in the CONCACAF Champions League - has injected midweek matches into the club's schedule. The Impact play nine games in the month of May.

Lagos and his side aren't banking on the Impact being tired.

"They've been through this process before," he said, referring to Montreal's run in the 2008-09 Champions League. "We have a lot of respect for Montreal and its great history of success in this league."

Saturday's match kicks off at 1:30 p.m. CDT. Like all USS D-2 Pro League matches this season, it is available to watch for free online at www.nscminnesota.org.

Stars roster:

Goalkeepers (2): Joe Warren, Matt Van Oekel

Defenders (3): Andres Arango, Kevin Friedland, Chris Clements

Midfielders (8): Kyle Altman, Simone Bracalello, Leilei Gao, Andrei Gotsmanov, Two-Boys Gumede, Neil Hlavaty, Johnny Menyongar, Leland Wright

Forwards (2): Brian Cvilikas, Melvin Tarley

Other notes:

* Five Stars players will miss Saturday's game with injuries. Ely Allen and Warren Ukah will both rest minor ankle injuries; Devin Del Do is still recovering from a right knee injury; and Louis Crayton and Vorgen Less are out for the season with a torn ACL and ruptured Achilles' tendon, respectively.

* Daniel Wasson will serve a one game suspension on Saturday for his red card against Austin. Brian Kallman will also be suspended for the game after the USSF extended his suspension to two games for his red card April 24 against Tampa Bay.

* Several players not traveling to Montreal will make public appearances between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Dakota Rev Spring It Up tournament in Apple Valley on Saturday.

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