PREVIEW | United Travels South In Key Encounter With The Strikers
The NASL Season is coming to a close, with the top three clubs separating themselves from the rest of the pack and making a push for the postseason. The Loons have six matches left to play and are sitting comfortably in third place with a seven-point lead over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Down five points to Ottawa Fury FC in the Fall Season, Minnesota needs to pick up points and hope Ottawa slips up in order to secure a home match in The Championship Semifinals.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have played one match fewer than the Loons and are just outside the postseason bubble, trailing Tampa Bay by two points in the Combined Standings. The Strikers finished the Spring Season near the bottom of the pack, but have bounced back this Fall Season – stringing together some good results and rising into contention for the postseason.
OPPONENT
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have been successful pushing forward recently. The Strikers have scored 16 goals in their last six matches, picking up 14 points in that time. Despite playing a very attacking style of play, Fort Lauderdale has been earning points by keeping opponents off the scoresheet three of the last five matches. The Strikers can be susceptible along the wdie areas of the pitch – pushing their wingbacks high up the pitch to show support on offense, and putting an overwhelming amount of pressure on the two center backs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Greg Jordan – Jordan has been the unspoken hero of the Minnesota United midfield this season, aggressively pursuing the opposition to force turnovers and create chances on the counter.
Aaron Pitchkolan – The United captain started his season in midfield, but has recently been playing as a central defender. Pitchkolan is smart with the ball at his feet and composed with attackers closing him down.
Stefano Pinho – The league’s top goalscorer with 12, Pinho has been difficult to stop for most teams this season. The Strikers look to get the ball upfield quickly and Pinho can make space for himself with his speed at the top of the box.
MATCH PREVIEW – MINNESOTA UNITED VS. FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS
Every match at this stage of the season is important. Each point can make a difference in qualifying for a postseason spot and earning a favorable matchup in the first round of the postseason. The Loons and Strikers both need a win on Saturday. Minnesota is pushing to host a semifinal match, but will need to win the Fall Season in order to achieve that goal. If the Loons, sitting five points behind Fall Season leader Ottawa Fury FC, can earn three points on the road it will go a long way with just six matches remaining.
Minnesota fell to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers earlier this year, conceding two goals with just 15 minutes left to play in a late Spring Season matchup. The Loons have been better since that match, reversing the script and scoring late goals of their own. United currently leads the NASL in goals scored in the final ten minutes of play.
The match on Saturday features two of the most attacking sides in the NASL. The Loons lead the league in goals scored with 42, while the Strikers were on the winning side of a 7-1 route of Indy Eleven just a few weeks ago.
The Strikers’ attack is lead by the NASL’s top goalscorer Stefano Pinho, who has managed to tally 12 goals this season. Pinho is a quick forward who finds space through a high work rate. United’s center backs will need to keep a watchful eye on Pinho in order to keep him from getting in behind and creating a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock.
For the Loons, scoring comes in many different ways. There have been 13 different goalscorers this season for Minnesota, including eight goals scored by defenders. Minnesota works the ball upfield as a unit and plays dangerous balls across the box to attacking midfielders and strikers.
