USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

Stars Make Own-Goal Stand up for 1-0 Win

July 10, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (July 10, 2010) - Six days ago, the NSC Minnesota Stars walked away from a 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace Baltimore feeling like they couldn't catch a break. Saturday night against FC Tampa Bay, the Stars caught one and made it stand up.

Tampa Bay defender Rob Valentino deflected Scott Lorenz's 28th minute cross into his own net to give the Stars a 1-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish but easily could have added to.

"For the second game in a row, our finishing wasn't what it should have been," head coach Manny Lagos said, "but I'm pleased the guys are figuring out ways to come out of games with wins."

Daniel Wasson said sometimes it takes a bit of luck to get over mistakes. "It was one of those nights where you miss the easy ones and make the hard ones."

Had the Stars finished a few of the easy ones, it wouldn't have been a contest. Outstanding team defense held Tampa Bay to only three shots in the match, all in the first half, and the visitors only forced Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren to make one save all night.

It was a key save, though, and had Long Tan beaten Warren on a counterattack in the third minute, it could have been a very different result. Tan outmuscled Stars defender Kevin Friedland and took a shot from the top of the penalty area. Warren reacted quickly, diving to his left to protect his near post.

"We came out a little flat, and they almost caught us early on," Lorenz said. "Once we got [their formation] figured out, we were able to counter."

From the fifth minute onward, the Stars would create the game's best scoring chances. Warren Ukah scuffed an 18-yard shot in the fifth minute after Johnny Menyongar, back after a two-game absence with a hip injury, made a weaving run through several Tampa Bay defenders and left the ball for the forward.

Two minutes later, Tampa goalkeeper Daryl Sattler made his first huge save of the night, sprawling out at Melvin Tarley's feet to deny the striker after Ukah found him unmarked in the penalty area. The goalmouth action continued on the Stars next possession, as Sattler stopped Ukah from close range before his defense closed down and blocked two follow-up attempts.

The next 15 minutes were less hectic, as both teams looked to hold possession and gain control over the high tempo match. Tampa Bay had a penalty claim turned down after an incidental handball by Kevin Friedland, and Minnesota couldn't find a way past a determined Tampa defense, who blocked another Tarley shot in the 20th minute.

In the 28th minute, Lorenz's cross took a fortuitous bounce off Valentino's leg and looped over a helpless Sattler for the game's only goal. Ely Allen fed Lorenz the ball on the left wing, and the Stars' left back created space for himself with a shifty cut back. With Tarley and Ukah streaming into the box, Lorenz attempted to cross the ball, only to see it find its way into the net courtesy of Valentino.

After the game, Lorenz admitted the luck behind the goal, but credited the team's hard work to create the chance. "I got a good ball through from Ely, got a good touch in and saw Melvin and Warren making great runs in, and I got a ball in with my right foot."

After that, the Stars shifted their focus to defending as a team, a strategy that has helped them grind out results in the last month-and-a-half. The Stars are 5-2-1 in their last eight games and have climbed steadily up the standings.

"After about the seventh or eighth game we made a commitment to defending and making chances difficult for our opponents," Friedland said. "We went in at halftime up a goal, and we wanted to grab a second, but we knew that if we didn't get scored on, we weren't going to lose."

To cement the win, the Stars shut down Tampa's attack, with Warren intercepting Tampa's crosses and the center midfielders and center backs closing down passing lanes quickly. After coming on as a substitute in the 54th minute, Brian Cvilikas nearly put the game away on the hour mark, but his first time shot from near the penalty spot could only find the woodwork before caroming out of play. Cvilikas had another chance on a breakaway with 15 minutes to play, but after running uncontested for nearly 30 yards, he couldn't get a touch around Sattler at the top of the penalty box.

Despite the wasted scoring chances, the Stars' locker room was upbeat after the game, with music spilling out into the hallway. After a rough start to their inaugural season, the team is finding results and gaining the confidence it will need to challenge for one of the USSF Division 2 Pro League's eight playoff spots.

"Everyone's in a good mood," Lorenz said. "Practice is more fun, it's more intense, and that's all because of winning."

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 10, 2010


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