PREVIEW | Christian Ramirez Nears Goalscoring Record As United Visits The Rowdies

Sitting in third and fourth in the Combined Standings, respectively, Minnesota United and the Tampa Bay Rowdies match up Saturday in St. Petersburg, Florida. The two clubs are currently locked head-to-head and surging up the table toward the NASL leaders. One team will carry momentum with them heading into the final third of the season, while the other will be left clinging to the last postseason spot.

Minnesota is fresh off a dramatic win against Ottawa Fury FC, in which Christian Ramirez notched his eighth goal of the season and seventh goal in seven matches. The Loons showed class by pressuring Fury FC for the full match and were rewarded with a goal in the 93rd minute of play. Minnesota has played four of its last five matches away from home, and closes a long road trip in Florida on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

OPPONENT

The Tampa Bay Rowdies play a very attractive style of soccer, working the ball up the field with diagonal passes from the back line, through the midfield, all the way up to the forwards. The Rowdies line up in a 4-3-3, leaving one striker at midfield throughout the match. Watch for overlapping runs from the outside and through balls played from central midfield.

The Rowdies play a physical style of defense and look to control and attack out of the back. Tampa Bay is well-organized, and quick to get back and help on defense. However, their outside backs are eager to get forward and can get caught too far up the pitch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christian Ramirez – Ramirez continued his remarkable scoring streak in Ottawa, forcing a turnover then knocking a shot past Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser into the near bar. It was his seventh goal in seven games and eighth goal of the season for the Loons. With another goal on Saturday, Ramirez will tie the NASL Modern Era consecutive scoring record.

Georgi Hristov – Hristov leads the league in assists with seven and is the Rowdies’ main facilitator going forward. He has great vision and can pick out incisive passes throughout the pitch and threatening gaps in an opponent’s defense.

MATCH PREVIEW – MINNESOTA UNITED AT TAMPA BAY ROWDIES

Minnesota and Tampa Bay played to a 0-0 draw in Week 2 of the Spring Season. It was a match where both teams had their chances, but neither took them. The Loons have scored at least one goal in every match since Week 2, scoring in 16 straight league matches. The Rowdies have scored in four straight, but have had a difficult start to their Fall campaign with just seven points in seven matches.

It’s a promising match, with both teams playing an attractive style of soccer. The Loons work the ball up the pitch well, through their central midfielders and take players on along the wings. The Rowdies play a more direct style, occasionally chucking the ball up the pitch to a three-man attacking front. Tampa Bay is capable of passing the ball through its midfield and finding players running through gaps in the opposition defense. The earlier 0-0 draw was likely an anomaly, with two teams that pressure for a full 90 minutes on most match weeks.

Christian Ramirez is on the precipice of history Saturday, looking to earn his 50th consecutive appearance for the Loons and score in his eighth straight match. Ramirez has been untouchable through seven matches in the Fall Season. With another goal, Ramirez will also break the Minnesota United franchise record for goals scored in all competitions. Still, Ramirez said he is taking it one game at a time and just doing his best to help the team succeed.