PREVIEW | In-Form Christian Ramirez AIms To Fire United Past Eddies

A three-match stint away from home comes to a close this Saturday when Minnesota United kick off against FC Edmonton at NSC Stadium. With a difficult schedule to begin the Fall Season, Minnesota United has provided some moments of excellence and shown good form through six matches, especially on the attack. Now, Minnesota will want to convert those offensive moments of brilliance into three points and close in on a trip to the NASL postseason.

While it’s still early in the Fall Season with more than half of the matches left to play – a majority of which the Loons will host – sitting in fifth in the Combined Standings is not a comfortable place for any team, and that’s where the Loons are sitting now. The talent and class of Minnesota United will be on display as the club continues to move forward through the season.

OPPONENT

FC Edmonton brushed its defensive woes aside this past Wednesday with a clean sheet and three points against Indy Eleven. Still, the Eddies have struggled with keeping opponents away from their defensive third, conceding the most goals in NASL play with 29 goals against. The Eddies’ back line is physical in the center and quick on the outside, but can get caught pushing too far up and holding the ball.

The Edmonton attack relies heavily on the play of its outside midfielders. Led by 2014 Best XI midfielder Lance Laing along with Sainey Nyassi and Hanson Boakai, and recent addition Dustin Corea, the Eddies are heavy in talent in the wings. Edmonton plays the ball up the pitch on the ground through the wings, occasionally knocking it forward in the air to Tomi Ameobi.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christian Ramirez – There isn’t a hotter striker in the NASL than Ramirez for Minnesota United. Ramirez has scored six goals in the season, with five goals in his last five games. Last year’s Golden Boot winner is surging toward the front of the pack for goals scored in 2015 and will be eager to keep the streak going this Saturday in front of the Loon faithful.

Lance Laing – Laing is the clear focal point of the Eddies’ attack. He leads the club in both assists and goals, and without Laing in the lineup the Eddies have struggled to get anything going offensively. Laing is explosive, good on a ball and dangerous streaking along the outside of the pitch.

MATCH PREVIEW – MINNESOTA UNITED VS. FC EDMONTON

The match against FC Edmonton was one of five drawn matches in the Spring Season for the Loons. In the back-and-forth affair, the Loons scored first and last, but conceded twice in the middle to finish the match at an even 2-2. This Saturday, two of the highest scoring clubs in the NASL will match up against one another, looking to break the gridlock in a friendly rivalry. Sitting comparably in the Combined Standings, both teams will see this as a crucial match.

Minnesota United has been superb offensively this season. After starting the season on the wrong side of two shutouts, the Loons have scored in 16 straight matches. Ramirez is quickly moving to the top of the NASL scorers list, with six goals – just two behind the league leader. Fluid movement out of the midfield and crisp passing in the final third opens space up for the forwards running into the box and overlapping runs from the back line.

With just one clean sheet in the Fall Season, the Loons have struggled with keeping their opponents away from net. Overall, Minnesota has done well defending throughout matches, but a lack of concentration in the defensive zone has created opportunities for opponents who have found ways to convert against a veteran-led Minnesota defense.

Justin Davis has the heavy task of covering Laing on Saturday, who has caused trouble for most defenders this season. Davis held his own in the earlier match between the two clubs, keeping Laing out of the match for nearly the full 90 minutes. Davis was honored for his play this past weekend with an NASL Team of the Week selection, and has scored two goals in the last three matches, and could take Laing out of the match by pressing forward and creating chances for the Loons.