USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

Stars Return to Blaine to Take on Winless Miami FC

May 13, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (May 13, 2010) - The NSC Minnesota Stars return to NSC Stadium Saturday in search of their third win of the season. The Stars have lost three consecutive games, including two close 2-1 losses in a row. Miami FC is winless this season, having settled for four consecutive home draws to start the season.

Despite last Saturday's 2-1 loss at Montreal, Stars head coach Manny Lagos believes the team competed well and made the most of a full week of practice. With no midweek games for the second consecutive week, Lagos is confident his team will be rested and believes the Stars will put this week's work to quick use on Saturday.

"Having a full week to prepare is always critical," Lagos said. "It's let us heal some knocks and bruises while fine-tuning what we've done well and working to correct areas where we've struggled."

Saturday's match kicks off at 7 p.m. CDT. Like all USSF D-2 Pro League matches this season, it is available to watch for free online at www.nscminnesota.org.

Match notes:

* The Stars enter the match with a 2-5-0 record and in fifth place in the USL Conference of the USSF D-2 Pro League. In the overall league table, the Stars are in seventh. The top eight teams make the playoffs. Miami FC is 0-0-4 and in fourth place in the NASL Conference.

* The Stars are 1-2-0 at home this season and have lost two straight games in Blaine. Saturday's game is Miami FC's first road game of the season. Miami was 3-10-2 on the road in 2009.

* This is the first meeting in franchise history between NSC Minnesota and Miami FC.

* Stars defender Kevin Friedland will miss Saturday's game while serving a one-game suspension for a red card against Montreal last Saturday. Defenders Daniel Wasson and Brian Kallman each return from suspension for the Stars. Midfielder Christian Gomez returns from a one-game suspension for Miami FC.

* Brian Cvilikas has scored goals in two consecutive games, making him the Stars' leading scorer with two goals. Neil Hlavaty, Wasson and Leilei Gao each have one goal apiece.

* Midfielder Kyle Altman leads the USSF D-2 Pro League in minutes played with 630. He has played every minute of the Stars' seven games this season.

* The Stars will be without three players due to injury. Devin Del Do has returned to light training after a knee injury suffered in April against Vancouver, but he has not yet been declared fit. With a ruptured Achilles' tendon, defender Vorgen Less is out for the season, as is goalkeeper Louis Crayton, who tore his ACL in the Stars' season-opening loss at Vancouver.

* The Sanneh Foundation, a charity founded by Minnesota native and U.S. World Cup veteran Tony Sanneh, is sponsoring Foster Family Appreciation Night Saturday. The Sanneh Foundation donated 2,000 tickets to family service groups in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Scott counties. Sanneh will host a soccer clinic outside NSC Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 13, 2010


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