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USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

Vancouver Whitecaps overcome lightning delay, NSC Minnesota Stars

August 14, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - In a game with huge playoff implications the NSC Minnesota Stars stumbled out of the gates, succumbing to an early goal in a 1-0 loss to the Major League Soccer bound Vancouver Whitecaps. The loss makes next Saturday's home match against the Portland Timbers - also bound for MLS in 2011 - a must-win for the Stars.

The Stars started slow, and Vancouver exploited space down both wings to create several early chances. Scott Lorenz cleared a ball off the goal line in the ninth minute after it had pinballed around in front of the Stars' net. In the 15th minute, the home side wouldn't be so lucky.

Cornelius Stewart beat Kyle Altman to a ball on the left wing and avoided a slide tackle before dribbling toward the goal line. His backward pass found Martin Nash unmarked at the top of the penalty box, and Nash hit a one-time shot with the outside of his right foot that beat Joe Warren at the near post.

Stars' assistant Carl Craig, who walked the sidelines in place of suspended head coach Manny Lagos, lamented the goal and the sluggish start that led to it.

"They exploited our lineup, and with all due respect to [Vancouver] they did what we had prepared for them to do, using those wings," he said. "After the goal, we said, ‘OK, now it's time to go to work."

The Stars nearly answered in the 21st minute, as Simone Bracalello, who had scored twice in the Stars' previous three games, unleashed a right-footed shot from about 25 yards after a back pass from Melvin Tarley. The ball was hit with plenty of pace, but Jay Nolly was well positioned at his near post to punch it away.

The sizzling pace diminished as halftime neared, as both teams changed approaches in search of the game's second goal. Craig replaced Bracalello with Neil Hlavaty for the second half, pushing Johhny Menyongar into a more forward role. The move added width to the Stars' attack, and showed signs of playing dividends in the early moments of the second half. Daniel Wasson, Menyongar and Kentaro Takada all shot just wide or over in the first 10 minutes of the half as the Stars began controlling possession. That control continued as the half wore on, and a driving rain midway through the period didn't seem to faze the Stars as they continued to keep the ball in midfield.

"We made changes in the second half, which made us even with them one-on-one," Craig said. "I thought we had some momentum going, but then the delay benefited them more than us."

That delay came with about 10 minutes left to play, and the Stars bending the Whitecaps' defense but unable to break it. Two quick lightning strikes near the stadium prompted center referee Sorin Stoica to suspend play for nearly 30 minutes while the storm passed.

Menyongar gave way to Brian Cvilikas after the break, but the Whitecaps came out of the locker room organized on defense and content to hold on for a 1-0 win. The Stars created a free kick opportunity, but Andrei Gotsmanov drove his left-footed shot into the wall, and ultimately it was Vancouver who came closest to scoring, as Ridge Mobulu missed badly from about 16 yards wide after crafting space for himself on the counterattack.

The result sees the Stars slide down the table as Portland and the Puerto Rico Islanders each picked up vital wins Saturday night. The Stars play the Timbers next Saturday for the fourth time this season in a game that will go a long way toward determining whether their season extends beyond 30 games.

"We've got a limited number of games left now, and three of them are at home, so we need to roll our sleeves up and get points any way possible," defender Kevin Friedland said.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 14, 2010


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