Downward Spiral Continues for Minnesota Stars; Drop Another Game, Drop in NASL Standings

FC Edmonton 3-1 NSC Minnesota Stars

After a dominating performance in the first 45 minutes of action on Saturday evening against FC Edmonton, the NSC Minnesota Stars deservedly took the lead just before halftime. Brian Cvilikas rose high above a crowd in front of the Edmonton net on a corner kick from Andrei Gotsmanov to power in a header past Eddies keeper Rein Baart. But this was a tale of two halves and Minnesota gave up 3 unanswered goals in the second period of play to lose their 9th match of the season. In fact the 3-1 loss was their 5th in the last 6 games. The last time Minnesota won a game was August 6th in Montreal when they defeated the Impact 3-1.

While the Stars had a week to prepare and train for the Edmonton game after their 2-0 home loss to the Montreal Impact last weekend, FC Edmonton had a much tougher week. With a mid-week game in Puerto Rico, a 2-day jaunt each way for the Canadian team, it only allowed them one light practice on Friday. The trip had been tough on the Canadian side as they gave up a late goal to the Islanders which allowed Puerto Rico a draw with the Eddies. So it was not surprising that Edmonton looked to have tired legs in the first half while Minnesota had the run of play. The Eddies were also missing arguably their player of the year, central defender Paul Hamilton who was suspended for the Minnesota match due to yellow card accumulations.

Minnesota started brightly with several chances early. In the 16th minute, Sporting KC loan player Scott Lorenz dumped a long cross from the left side of the field to the far right post. The ball was on target to find a streaking Cvilikas who headed just wide.

It was Lorenz again in the 32nd minute who offered up a ball from the left flank, this time to his near post that found the head of Lucas Rodriguez. The midfielder flicked the ball on towards the lower left corner but Baart was able to make the drop save.

In the 38th minute Lorenz decided to make a solo effort down the left side of the field cutting in towards goal. He chose to shoot early rather then find an open Cvilikas at the far post. Lorenz’ effort slid wide of the net.

After the half Edmonton seemed to adjust to Minnesota’s possession by coming in a bit more physical and winning not only the 50/50 balls but the 2nd balls as well. The effort paid off as the momentum quickly shifted to the Eddies with Minnesota seeming to have a hard time adjusting.

Just 11 minutes into the second half FC Edmonton drew the game even. A ball was played quickly through for Kyle Porter on the right side who with his first touch sent a deep cross square past the far post. Midfielder Kyle Yamada headed the ball back across the goal to draw the game even 1-1.

Minnesota did have their moments in the second half. In the 69th minute, Cvilikas, who made a rare start this season, almost chipped Baart. But the Dutch keeper jumped, collected the ball and kicked it long down the field to start a counter attack. The bounce seemed to throw off Stars central defender Christiano Diaz which allowed Sean Saiko to get behind him. Saiko slotted the bouncing ball low past Warren who had jumped up guessing Saiko would attempt the chip.

To the Stars credit they continued to press. In the 72nd minute a cross played into the right post found the very active Cvilikas who headed back across the goal. It looked like midfielder Kentaro Takada might put the ball in from close range but Baart was up to the task. He grabbed the lose ball as Takada was boxed out by Edmonton’s tight marking.

Just 3 minutes later the Stars were at it again. A cross came into to substitute Amani Walker who headed over to Cvilikas. The Stars forward trapped the ball with his stomach and then riffled a shot at goal. But Baart bravely threw himself in front of the shot. The ball deflected to Walker who tried to one time the ball into the net with only one defender to beat, but somehow his shot went wide from only 3 yards out.

Porter found himself with another chance in the 86th minute when he got through a Minnesota defense that was pressing high for the game winner. He launched a canon of a shot at Joe Warren from close range. Warren made a reaction save to keep the ball from squeezing just inside his post. However, Warren’s save was in vain as FC Edmonton finished the Stars off by scoring their 3rd of the evening two minutes into stoppage time. Minnesota’s Cristiano went after a 50/50 ball on the far left side of the field and tried to clear the ball to the center. Instead he fed Edmonton’s Daniel Antoniuk who walked in alone on Warren and slotted by the Stars goalkeeper, putting the final nail in the coffin for Minnesota.

The game was a critical one for both sides as they each try to make a push for the NASL playoffs. The game could have been looked at as a 6-pointer as the two teams were battling for position in the standings. Before Saturday evening, Minnesota was only one point behind 4th place Edmonton with 29 points. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were nipping on Minnesota’s heels with 28 points. The Strikers also won Saturday evening, defeating the Montreal Impact (7th place – 25 pts) 1-0. With Edmonton’s and Fort Lauderdale’s wins and Minnesota’s loss the Eddies (4th place – 33 pts) go 4 points clear of the Stars and the Strikers (5th place – 31 pts) leap frog into the 5th position.

Minnesota now sits in the final (6th) playoff spot and will have two home games to try to get back on track. Tuesday they will host FC Tampa Bay who were defeated last night by the Carolina RailHawks. FC Tampa Bay have been red hot recently and made a quick ascension up the NASL table. However, former Thunder and Stars central defender, captain Andres Arango, will not make the trip to Minnesota as he will be serving a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in last night’s match. Tampa Bay’s dynamic midfielder Pascal Millien missed Saturday’s game due to injury as did defender JP Rodrigues. It’s not yet known if either player will make the trip to Blaine, Minn. Should Tampa Bay win on Tuesday evening, the Florida side would clinch a spot in the 2011 NASL playoffs.

Minnesota will play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, September 10th against the Atlanta Silverbacks who are mathematically eliminated from the payoffs but still are fighting for some pride after a disappointing season. The Silverbacks defeated the 2nd place Puerto Rico Islanders last night 2-0 in Atlanta. The Stars finish the season with two away games, Saturday the 17th at FC Tampa Bay and Saturday the 24th at the Carolina RailHawks.