First half goals by Kevin Venegas and Stefan Pinho gave Minnesota United a 2-0 win that left the Jacksonville Armada still searching for their club’s first win away from home while Minnesota enjoyed its 13th straight undefeated game at the NSC.
Minnesota found their rhythm quickly in Saturday nights match up against the Armada. In the 17th minute Ramirez laid a ball off to Venegas at the top of the penalty box. The defense failed to step up which gave Venegas time to cut the ball back to his left foot before sending a curling shot into the upper 90 of the far post that is a sure contender for goal of the week. A
After the game Minnesota head coach Carl Craig commended Venegas on the mental aspects of setting up that shot, “The noticeable thing for me on that one was that he was composed. We’ve all seen him get into those positions and slash at it, but today he composed himself. He’ll be up for goal of the year with that one.”
Minutes later Jacksonville had a chance to pull level when Matt Fondy split the Minnesota center backs to collect a through ball from Jemal Johnson. With just Sammy Njdock to beat Fondy couldn’t take advantage and pushed his shot wide of the goal from 15 yards out.
Minnesota doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Bernardo dribbled through the defense before sending in a cross. Kevan George dove to get a touch to the ball, but ended up playing it forward to Stefano Pinho who was alone at the top of the goal box. Pinho swiveled and sent a left footed shot into the bottom right corner to tally his first goal for Minnesota.
In response to being down 2-0 at the half, Jacksonville brought on Junior Sandoval for Pascal Millien. Unfortunately Sandoval didn’t get much time to make an impact before he was forced out of the game in the 62nd when an injury caused him to be stretchered off and replaced by Charles Eloundou.
Minnesota’s first sub was also due to injury. In the 54th minute Juliano Vicentini came on as a sub for Ben Speas after he suffered an injury to his ankle during a challenge for the ball.
The remainder of the second half provided little action for either team as the Loons and Armada both attempted to control the pace of the game. Minnesota took a couple of forays forward, but couldn’t connect while Jacksonville only managed three shots the entire second half.
Attendance: 8,861
Line-Ups:
Minnesota
Ndjock, Davis, Kallman, Lowe, Venegas, Brovsky, Anor (Banks 76’), Speas (Vicentini 54’), Pinho, Cruz, Ramirez.
Jacksonville
Gallardo, Bahner, Ruthven, Jerome, Burke, Perea, George, Scaglia (Keita 76’), Johnson, Millien (Sandoval 46’) (Eloundou 64’), Fondy.
Click HERE for Postgame Press Conference on Periscope
Leave a Reply