The Minnesota United Reserves fell 2-1 to the Milwaukee Bavarians after going up 1-0 on a penalty kick in the first minute. A late first half goal from Reid Stevenson and second half strike from Scott Lorenz put Milwaukee over the home team in a hot and physical affair in Cottage Grove, MN.
With the season winding down and Milwaukee looking to cement its position atop the West Division table, the Bavarians came to Cottage Grove to take on the Minnesota United Reserves. The Reserves, meanwhile, are struggling to climb past mid-table and will not be helped by this week’s results.
Lineups
Minnesota United Reserves played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to maintain possession while providing both defensive stability and offensive potency. Given the early PK, they spent much of the game focusing on defense until Milwaukee’s second goal.
Subs used by the Reserves were Javier Alcantara for Daniel O’Brien, Babatunde Oyekan for Oblayon Nyemah Jr., and Midhat Mujic for Brad Whitsitt.
Milwaukee also played in a 4-2-3-1, but spent much of the game attacking in order to equalize and then take the lead.
Bavarian subs included: Dennis Holowaty for Greg Rosenthal, Nick Wilson for Stevenson, Paul Ciszerski for Kelmend Islami, and Logan Andryk for Scott Lorenz.
First Half
The game got off to a roaring start when Minnesota United Reserves were handed a lead in the first minute on a PK. Klenton Miles Stockman-Willis stepped up to slot the shot home.
After the re-start, the game was rough for both sides; Park High School’s field is much smaller than most which, when combined with the artificial turf surface, made for both teams having difficulty in controlling the ball. Neither team was able to maintain possession and most of the play was in the middle third of the field.
The Bavarians eventually found their footing and began maintaining possession in Minnesota’s half, leading to a series of corner kicks. On one of these, a low shot looked headed for the net, but was cleared off the line by Minnesota’s left forward, who was manning the far post.
Just five minutes later, Bavarian Greg Rosenthal dribbled through Minnesota’s midfield and tried to pass to Reid Stevenson. His pass was long and Aaron Perez collected – this would soon become a pattern of final passes running too long and killing attack’s danger.
As the half wore on, Milwaukee continued controlling possession and pressing for a goal. Reid Stevenson found himself in alone on goal, but Aaron Perez was able to make the save. Minnesota, in frustration and an attempt to win the ball, began playing more physically and fouling, leading to a yellow card.
The Bavarians finally found the equalizer when, in the 44th minute, Milwaukee won the ball back in Minnesota’s half and Islami slotted a through-ball to Stevenson who made no mistake. The half ended with the teams level at one goal apiece.
Second Half
The second half picked up where the first left off, with both teams playing physically and pressing for the winning goal. Just three minutes in, it looked like Milwaukee had found one; goal scorer Stevenson went to ground under pressure in United’s box. A penalty shout went up from the visitors, but the referee waved the protests off.
As the game progressed and became a more back-and-forth affair, each team earned chances. Minnesota’s No. 11 was in alone on goal, but his chipped shot went high. The Bavarians thought they had a shot bound for net when it caromed back off the post. Both teams began making substitutions, hoping to break the deadlock.
Minnesota worked its way to Milwaukee’s box through nice passing and combination play; Stockman-Willis had the ball at his feet and a wide-open goal to shoot at, but a sliding save from Milwaukee defender Zenoni put his effort wide.
Back at the other end, a Bavarian corner was cleared. Scott Lorenz, formerly of the NSC Minnesota Stars, chested the clearance down hard and followed the bouncing ball. His left foot first-time strike snuck under Aaron Perez to give the visitors the lead.
Minnesota began pressing forward more, opening the game up further as they pressed for a goal. The were unable to find it, and the 2-1 scoreline saw the Bavarians win their fourth match of the season.
The win solidifies Milwaukee’s place atop the West Division as well as further padding their goal differential. Cedar Rapids, the second place squad, also won, so the race for division lead is close. This loss more or less eliminates whatever hopes Minnesota United Reserves had for climbing to the top half of the table.
Next week, the Bavarians return to Minnesota to take on Minneapolis City SC. The Reserves have two weeks off before they travel to Madison to take on the 56ers.
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