USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

Stars Prepare for Defending Champion Montreal Impact

June 8, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (June 8, 2010) - After a frustrating winless run, the NSC Minnesota Stars have taken four points from their last two games and are looking to build momentum as they approach a busy stretch of the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season. The Stars take on the Montreal Impact Wednesday night at 7 at the NSC Stadium in the first of as many as seven games in the next two-and-a-half weeks.

Wednesday night's game is the second meeting between the Stars and the 2009 second division champion Impact. The Impact defeated the Stars 2-1 on May 8 in Canada thanks to a last-second goal. The Stars played most of the second half of that game with 10 men, but head coach Manny Lagos thought his team played well enough to earn a draw that day.

"It was a tough loss to take," he said. "We're glad we have a second chance at them and that we're coming into the game playing well."

Lagos will look to build on the positives of the last two games. The Stars defense stifled the Rochester Rhinos on June 4 to earn a 0-0 road draw, the team's third shutout of the season. On May 29, the Stars offense came to life, scoring more than one goal in a game for the first time all season in a 3-2 victory over AC St. Louis in Blaine. Taking the best from the two games will be a key for the Stars in a match with one of division two soccer's most consistent sides.

"It's a big game for us. Montreal is historically one of the best in the league over the last several years," Lagos said.

"We have to keep our structure because they're a disciplined team, and we have to take our chances when we get them so we can make the most of the home-field advantage."

Other game notes:

* The Stars enter the match with a 3-7-2 record (11 points) and are in fifth place in the USSF D-2 Pro League's USL Conference. They currently occupy the eighth and final playoff position in the league's overall table.

* The Montreal Impact is 3-2-3 (12 points) and in third place in the NASL Conference. Montreal is in sixth place in the league's overall standings.

* Minnesota has been a tough trip for Montreal. Since 1997, the Impact has only one win in the state, an August 1997 victory over the Minnesota Thunder.

* In their most recent home match, the Stars ended a six-match winless streak with a 3-2 victorty over AC St. Louis. The Stars followed up the win with a 0-0 draw at Rochester.

* Montreal tied Miami FC 1-1 in its last match, a rainy encounter Sunday afternoon in Montreal. The Impact's Tony Donatelli converted a penalty kick in the 23rd minute to cancel out Christian Gomez's early goal for Miami.

* With three goals, Neil Hlavaty is NSC Minnesota's leading scorer. All of his goals have come as a substitute. Daniel Wasson and Brian Cvilikas each have two goals. Cvilikas scored his first goal of the season May 8 at Montreal.

* NSC Minnesota Stars midfielder Kyle Altman leads the USSF D-2 Pro League in minutes played, with 1,075. He has started all 12 matches this season for the Stars.

* Montreal's Felipe Soares has received four yellow cards this season. Per league policy, he will be suspended for one game for receiving a fifth caution.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 8, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central