The clouds broke and the sun shown down on Minnesota United FC, who continued their home dominance in the fall season with a decisive 3-1 win against Fort Lauderdale Strikers. 8,379 made the trek up to the National Sports Center in Blaine to cap off the three-game week for Minnesota.
“You’re still part of the squad, I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Carl Craig was “extremely proud” of the team for the 3-1 win, particularly after a very emotional and taxing 24 hours midweek after Sammy Ndjock’s gaffe in the Bournemouth friendly drew international attention. “I told Sammy, ‘That happens, but I need to break the state you are in. I need to hit the reset button. You’re still part of the squad, I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater.’”
Hitting the reset button, Minnesota started Steward Ceus in goal. Damion Lowe played at right back for the injured Kevin Venegas, a position he last played for Minnesota during the preseason. Ibson also got a rare start at center midfield, shifting the Minnesota midfield slightly with only one defensive midfielder — Jeb Brovsky — instead of the typical two.
Craig was pleased with Ibson’s performance after the game. “One of the things that I’ve been concerned with in the last few games is our ability to possess the ball and Ibson gives us that.”
First Half: Minnesota Takes a 2-0 Lead
Lowe continued to play with his fiery passion and received a yellow card caution for an off the ball incident. While the contact was light, Paulo Jr went down grabbing his face, convincing the center ref to award a yellow card.
Craig said postgame that Lowe’s “aggression is a plus but he needs to curb it.”
.@jcbanks11 showing the shooting touch from distance. #MNUvFTL pic.twitter.com/FZ2jrtNYJJ
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 24, 2016
J.C. Banks took a speculative shot from 35 yards out in the 14th minute that caught Fort Lauderdale Strikers goalkeeper Diego Restrepo flat-footed. The ball skipped on the wet turf and Restrepo dove too late to keep it out of the net.
This was Banks’ second goal of the year after scoring from a similar distance during the León friendly at Target field.
Stefano Pinho started the attack with a deft run down the left side against substitute right full back Gabriel, who passed it off to Ibson. Ibson found Banks in the center of the pitch, who one-touched it before taking his shot.
Minnesota would continue pressing, which ultimately paid dividends when Ibson intercepted a weakly-hit pass and found an onside Christian Ramirez. Ramirez touched the ball once and then beat Restrepo at the near post.
You're gonna want to mark that guy. @Chris_Ramirez17 with his 11th goal of the season. #MNUvFTL pic.twitter.com/nwfT8Cpt88
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 24, 2016
Second Half
Paulo Jr would make the game interesting in the 54th minute, sending the ball off the far post and in. Fort Lauderdale had cut their goal deficit in half and it looked like Fort Lauderdale might manage to steal points from Minnesota.
Some stellar goalkeeping by Ceus kept Minnesota in the lead with a save on a Fort Lauderdale breakaway in the 57th minute.
.@StewCeus SAID NO! #MNUvFTL #COYL
Loons lead 2-1, 30 minutes left to play. #MNUFC pic.twitter.com/KwH1ViKaXh
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 24, 2016
Minnesota would finally find their third goal in the 71st minute. Former Mr. Soccer and 62nd minute substitute Ish Jome finished off a cross from Danny Cruz. A beautiful backheel by Christian Ramirez found Danny Cruz wide open with plenty of time to find Jome in his first league appearance for Minnesota .
The game got chippy soon after, with Luis Fernandes earning his second yellow after taking out Christian Ramirez. Lowe and Jorge Corrales went up for a ball together with Lowe landing awkwardly. Manny Gonzalez tried to pull Lowe up to get the game moving and Lowe was unhappy with the help causing a scrum between the two teams.
Playing with only ten men, Fort Lauderdale was unable to mount a serious challenge on goal and Minnesota was able to walk away with three points.
Postgame Interviews
Carl Craig
LIVE on #Periscope: #MNUvFTL Carl Craig https://t.co/6Ni9LKmDQX
— Fifty Five One (@FiftyFiveOne) July 24, 2016
Steward Ceus and Ish Jome
LIVE on #Periscope: Steward Cues and Ish Jome https://t.co/uAJhAIAk3R
— Fifty Five One (@FiftyFiveOne) July 24, 2016
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