The Loons have stumbled to draws in each of their last two games, and must face a rebuilt Miami team in decent form. After tonight, Minnesota will play four of its next five matches on the road. Three points are needed, but Miami is not the same pushover it was in the Spring Season.

Recent Form

Miami	D	L	W	D	W	+1 GD	1.6 PPG
MNUFC	L	W	W	D	D	+3 GD	1.6 PPG

If form is anything of a predictor, both teams have picked up eight points from their last five contests, and fans should be in for an entertaining evening.

Previous Meetings

Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Miami in its June 11th Spring Season finale represents the lone time the two clubs have faced one another, with Miami currently in the midst of its inaugural season. The game was scoreless at the break, but the Loons broke things open in the second half as Christian Ramirez, Stefano Pinho, and Ibson each scored for the home team. Jaime Chávez’ 66th-minute goal for Miami made it a 2-1 game, and the visitors chased an equalizer for close to a half hour, until Ibson’s added-time goal put the contest out of reach.

Officials

Referee	Mathieu Bourdeau
Assistant	Peter Balciunas
Assistant	Cory Richardson
Fourth	Ismir Pekmic

Roster Report

Kevin Venegas remains sidelined with a knee injury. Jack Blake (flu) and Stefano Pinho (hamstring) may return to the field this evening. Ben Speas, also recovered from a minor illness, will be in the mix. Sammy Ndjock has returned to fitness following a knee injury, but Steward Ceus is expected to start in goal.

Carl Craig told the Pioneer Press‘ Andy Greder, “Stew has been a calming influence. I’m OK with Stew. I’m more than OK.”

Statistical Notes

Miami averaged just 0.7 goals per game in the Spring Season, compared to Minnesota’s 1.6. Both clubs are finding the net with more frequency since the start of the Fall Season, with Miami scoring 1.8 goals per contest, and Minnesota up to 2.1 per game. Expect an entertaining evening.

The Miami FC: Last Time Out

Miami ground out a 2-1 victory over first-place Indy in spite of being outshot 20-4.  Alessandro Nesta’s charges had a pair of those four shots blocked, and scored with the other two. Meanwhile, Indy could only manage five shots on target though it took 12 from inside the 18-yard box.

In an attempt to incorporate the talent brought in to turn Miami’s season around, Nesta has opted to play a wide 4-4-2 diamond. Though Premier League veteran Wilson Palacios started at the base of that diamond last weekend, the formation usually allows Nesta to fit Richie Ryan, Jonny Steele, Michael Lahoud and Kwadwo Poku in the same starting eleven.

All four of Ryan, Steele, Lahoud and Poku were in-season signings for Miami, and Nesta’s midfield diamond allows three of the four to play in their natural positions. Lahoud, previously more of a central midfielder, seems to have adapted fairly well to being moved out wide. Interestingly, Lahoud tends to take up a wider average position than his counterpart Steele.

Matchup

As Miami’s rebuild was already underway, Minnesota faced both Ryan and Lahoud in its Spring Season finale. This evening, Miami will have the benefit of including Steele, Poku and defender Gabriel Farfán in its lineup.

The return of former Minnesota players Steele and Pablo Campos paint a stark contrast. Steele, now with his 13th senior club since 2004, has worn out his welcome in numerous cities, and it is expected the Dark Clouds and True North Elite will remind him of it.

Campos, on the other hand, is one of the most well-liked players in modern-era Minnesota soccer. At 33 years of age, Campos has found himself used most often as a late game substitute. Should Nesta introduce him during the run of play, expect a warm reception from the crowd at the NSC.

Palacios is again expected to start this evening, so absent Ryan marshaling Miami from in front of defense, Poku will be the man to watch. Dario Cvitanich and Chávez have combined for a middling 10 goals in 26 starts. Meanwhile, Poku has produced a pair of goals and an assist in five games while operating from a deeper position.

Ariel Martinez presently ranks third among Miami players having scored three goals, and his pace off the bench is something the Loons may have to contend with in the second half.

Last weekend, the Loons came out flat in the first half and left themselves without enough time in the second to overcome David Meves’ goalkeeping heroics. Miami’s Daniel Vega is another netminder in fine form, so it would be to Minnesota’s benefit to take the initiative early on, especially playing at home.

Craig has talked of a desire to have his team keep their collective foot on the gas pedal during games, but their intensity has waned at times, costing the Loons points in the standings.

Absent Venegas, Craig is nearing a full host of players to pick from. It is now up to him to get eleven of them to play up to their talent level if Minnesota is to make a run at its second NASL title, in what may well be its last season in the league.