NSC Minneosta Stars Draw with FC Tampa Bay in Wide Open Match
BLAINE, Minn. (May 28, 2011)
Joe Warren with a big punch clearance. Warren was called on numerous times on Saturday evening to keep his team in the contest. Photo by Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net
NSC Minnesota Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren made seven saves, including a point-blank breakaway in the second half, but FC Tampa Bay’s Jeff Attinella had a great game as well, making eight saves to keep a shutout of his own as the Stars and FCTB played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night at NSC Stadium.
Simone Bracalello hit an upright in the second half with one of his seven shots.
The Stars remained unbeaten at home in 2011 and stretched their home shutout streak to three games. With the tie, the Stars are now in second place in the eight-team North American Soccer League thanks to a superior goal difference on FC Edmonton.
The Stars head out on the road now for matches at Puerto Rico, Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. The Stars next home game is June 18 at NSC Stadium against Edmonton.
For a complete game report please see the NSC Minnesota Stars website.
Comments are closed.
I watched the game on the Internet. It was the best video by far that I’ve seen streamed from the teams. Ft. Lauderdale is the worst. I don’t know what makes the difference. The game was entertaining. Both teams have no finish. Point blank chances were met with weak shots. No way that game should end 0-0. The over the head (bicycle) shot from Minnesota was nice to see. Don’t get too comfortable in 2nd spot!
“Both teams have no finish.”
That is spot on. I was at the game. Neither team could finish! As a Stars fan, I urge them to work on shooting. We need to be able to place the ball on target.
Ahhh, OK. But the Stars are in second place in the league for scoring. The Stars have the 3rd highest goals per game average.
It’s tough enough finding goal scorers at MLS level. Try finding them at D2 level. I’m just trying to figure out what you are basing this on. Saturday nights game only?
Also, I don’t think you can say they had no finish. Look at the stats. The problem was the quality of their finishing. Although not bad, they just had too many that didn’t test Antenela. On the other hand Antenela played very well positionally for a rookie keeper and made some of those saves look easy because he showed a lot of maturity.
Here are the stats:
Place in standing – team – goals per game
(1) Carolina = 2.22
(4) Puerto Rico = 1.5
(2) Minnesota = 1.3
(3) Edmonton = 1.1
(6) Ft. Lauderdale = 1.1
(7) Montreal = 1
(5) Tampa = .9
(8) Atlanta = .3
Lastly, from what I’m told Jon, the Stars practice finishing all the time. Finishing in training and finishing in games are two different things however. Mark my words, one of these games Simone will have a hat trick. I’ve not seen a pure finisher like that on a MN Pro soccer team in years.
Thanks for the stats. I am glad you challenged me. I’m skeptical that the stars practice shooting all the time, but if so then I hope they continue.
Now about Simone…wow! He certainly will score a hat trick soon! What a player! I will come watch another game this season just to see him.
Jon, I will have some more interesting stats as they relate here in this weeks NASL Podcast.