Minnesota United FC used three first-half goals to build an unassailable lead and win their first match of the fall season 5-1 over the Carolina RailHawks. NASL league-leading goalscorer Christian Ramirez scored his first-ever hat trick as a Loon. Stefano Pinho and Tiago Calvano also found the back of the net for United.
Coach Carl Craig trotted out a starting XI different from the spring season, but one he had been tinkering with during the midseason break. J.C. Banks and Aaron Pitchkolan both got the start with Pitchkolan as a defensive midfielder and Banks as the number ten, or attacking midfielder. Both players had had success during the friendly against Club León and they were pressed into service to start the fall season due to injuries to many of the usual starters.
Coach Craig knew that Pitchkolan would bring something they had been missing to the pitch tonight. “I’ve been thinking I need a big, strong defensive midfielder and lo and behold there’s one right in front of me face,” he said.
Danny Cruz got the offense on track early with a run down the right-hand side that ultimately ended in his shot being safely caught by goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. Another run by Christian Ramirez 30 seconds later was saved by Fitzgerald as well.
With both teams settling into a stalemate, Ramirez struck with a beautiful goal in the 20th minute. A long ball into the box was kicked out by the defender on Banks, but only to Ramirez standing 35 yards out from goal. An amazing swerving shot by Ramirez caught the inside of the far post and gave Minnesota the early lead.
I walk around like I got an S on my chest… #MNUvCAR @Chris_Ramirez17 pic.twitter.com/gdcpFS2mIr
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 3, 2016
Not long after, in the 24th minute, a misplaced pass by former Loon Connor Tobin led to Ramirez having an easy tap in to double Minnesota’s lead.
Don't mind if I do…
2-0 | #MNUvCAR @Chris_Ramirez17 pic.twitter.com/EZDFBlNyLV
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 3, 2016
In stoppage time of the first half, Ramirez found Stefano Pinho with space at the top of the box and his sharply-struck shot couldn’t be stopped by Fitzgerald, giving Minnesota a three-goal cushion going into half.
Soon after the the resumption of play, Tiago Calvano headed home Minnesota’s fourth goal from a Kevin Venegas corner kick, celebrating with a old man with a cane celebration.
Always use your noggin, kids…
4-0 | #MNUvCAR pic.twitter.com/06M3L9isBD
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 3, 2016
Jeb Brovsky, after a stellar first half in the midfield as a one-man wrecking crew, picked up two yellow cards in the second half to put Minnesota down a man. This forced Coach Craig to sub on Juliano Vicentini for J.C. Banks for more defensive stability in the midfield.
The numbers advantage didn’t help Carolina much, as in the 75th minute, Cruz found a wide open Ramirez running in the middle of the net who tapped it in to complete his hat trick. It was the first hat trick for a Minnesota United player since Omar Daley did it at the end of the 2013 season.
In stoppage time, Matt Watson put one in for Carolina, giving Carolina a measure of respectability with the scoreline ending at 5-1.
The team looked looser than they had at the end of the spring season, with high fives and humor evident on the field for the team. Scoring five goals will do that for a team. “We’re trying to bring that bite, or fun, that we brought against Sporting KC and León,” said Ramirez. “We’ve shown that spark numerous times and we want to bring it out more and more,” Craig said after the match.
Minnesota will look to build on their strong start to the fall season next Saturday in Indianapolis against Indy 11.
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