USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

Stars Head to Carolina with Season on the Line

Published on October 7, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (October 7, 2010) -- With a 0-0 tie in the books from Wednesday night, the NSC Minnesota Stars travel to Cary, N.C., tomorrow morning with a simple directive: Just win.

The NASL Conference champion Carolina RailHawks host the Stars at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday in the second leg of the teams' United States Soccer Federation Division 2 Pro League quarterfinal series. Each playoff series in the league is a two-game, total goals match in which each team gets a home game.

Stars head coach Manny Lagos, himself a veteran of numerous Major League Soccer playoff campaigns, said the main difference between the regular season and the postseason is the level of intensity required. He's been stressing that change to his players during the Stars' preparation for the playoffs, and he said after Wednesday night's game in Blaine that he was pleased with the way the team rose to the occasion, especially the younger players with no playoff experience.

For the most part, though, Lagos is trying to keep his team in a routine it established during the regular season. While a different mindset is needed on the field, where the must-win pressure can bring on unfamiliar mental exhaustion, keeping things familiar off the field can ease the stress of the playoffs.

"Aside from the importance of the game, which we all understand, we're approaching this trip the same way we would a regular season road game," Lagos said. "We'll fly in Friday morning, then we'll have a light training session in the afternoon to loosen up."

Adding to the consistency, the Stars are likely to take the field with the same players and formation as the last several games. The team suffered no injuries Wednesday night, and Lagos said he believes his current lineup has earned the chance to keep its momentum going. The Stars are unbeaten in their last five games, a stretch that included a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season. During that run, Lagos believes his players have really embraced a team-first mentality. If that continues Saturday night, the Stars like their chances to progress to the semifinals.

"We have 11 guys right now committed to playing a certain way," Lagos said Wednesday night. "We're defending as a team, working hard to win the ball back, and we're breaking out quickly and creating chances."

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