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NASL Minnesota United FC

Stars FC Finishes Regular Season Sunday in San Antonio

September 21, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


As the North American Soccer League regular season comes to a close, Minnesota Stars FC travel to San Antonio for a Sunday night game that could decide its final position in the league table and determine where it plays in the opening round of the league playoffs. The league-leading San Antonio Scorpions host the Stars in a 6:15 kickoff Sunday evening at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio. The game will be broadcast live on mnstarsfc.com and nasl.com/live.

Depending on results earlier in the weekend, the game could have implications for both teams. The Stars will have an opportunity to overtake the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for fifth place in the league if the Strikers lose or tie Sunday in Edmonton. For San Antonio, a trophy could be on the line, as the Tampa Bay Rowdies are nipping at their heels in the race for the NASL regular season championship and would take first place with a win Saturday night in Carolina, forcing San Antonio to either win or draw Sunday night in the league's final game of the season.

Of course, neither of these things could matter, which would put both teams' coaching staffs in position to rest key players or keep them out of the lineup to avoid the risk of suspension. The Stars have five players in danger of a suspension due to yellow card accumulation and will be without forward Martin Nunez for Sunday's game after he picked up his fifth caution of the season last Saturday in a 2-0 loss at Puerto Rico. The league's players will have their yellow card totals wiped clean at the start of the playoffs, but any suspensions picked up in the regular season will carry forward.

For the Stars, a win on the road against San Antonio would be a massive building block heading into the start of playoffs. Minnesota hasn't won away from NSC Stadium since defeating Real Salt Lake 3-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 29 in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Their last league road win was a 3-1 victory at Fort Lauderdale on May 19.

In their previous trip to San Antonio, the Stars survived a late onslaught in a 0-0 draw that saw head coach Manny Lagos rest several of his regular starters during a congested run of games. The Stars have managed two draws and a loss to San Antonio in all games against the Scorpions this season.

What you should know

San Antonio Scorpions

Record at home: (W-T-L): 8-2-3

Record overall: 13-7-7

Goals leader: Pablo Campos (19)

Assists leader: Walter Ramirez (6)

Have clinched a bye week during the first week of playoffs. Clinch regular season with a tie or win OR Tampa Bay loss or tie on Saturday. Pablo Campos is a goal away from tying the NASL record for most goals in a season. Hans Denissen has scored both Scorpions goals against the Stars this season. Suspended after next caution: Fabian Kling

Minnesota Stars FC

Record on the road (W-T-L): 2-6-5

Record overall: 8-10-9

Goals leader: Amani Walker (7)

Assists leader: Walker (5)

Have clinched playoff berth and will open on the road in first round. Finish in sixth with a loss or a Fort Lauderdale win in Edmonton. Will finish fifth with a win AND Fort Laduerdale loss or tie OR with a tie AND a Fort Lauderdale loss. Martin Nunez is suspended for yellow card accumulation. Amani Walker has had a goal or an assist in four of the last five games. Have scored only once in three games against San Antonio this season. Suspended after next caution: Justin Davis, Neil Hlavaty, Brian Kallman, Kentaro Takada, Kevin Venegas

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 21, 2012


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