Minnesota United’s 2015 Season came to an end in the Championship Semifinal at the hands of Ottawa Fury. The Loons went up early after earning a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the match, allowing Christian Ramirez to add another goal to his already impressive total. The Fury wouldn’t have an answer until just after halftime when Tom Heinemann struck home a ball from Paulo Junior. The teams remained deadlocked as they prepared for extra time. Both sides were cautious in the first half of extra time, but Heinemann would once again find the back of the net for Ottawa in the second half, booking the Fury’s ticket to the final.
Minnesota United AbsencesSuspended n/aOut n/aDoubtful n/aProbable n/a
United Opens 2016 Campaign on the RoadAfter a long offseason, Minnesota United is ready to begin its 2016 NASL Season. United faces the Carolina RailHawks, a team that has seen several changes on and off the field since last year. The RailHawks have a new owner and many new players looking to make up for a lackluster 2015 season. Despite the changes, Carolina has kept a few key players from previous years including 2015 co-assist leader Tiyi Shipalane. United’s key offseason signings of Lance Laing and Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner Stefano Pinho have bolstered the Loons’ offense, and will continue the attack-minded play the team is known for.
14 - 11 - 6 2015 record (W-D-L) 9 - 8 - 13
W-L-W-D-L Form (Last 5 Matches) W-W-L-L-W
53 Points 35
3rd 2015 Season position 6th
339 Shots 267
166 Shots on Goal 111
49% Shooting accuracy 42%55 Goals scored 4433 Assists 261.8 Goals per game average 1.539 Goals allowed 491.3 Goals against average 1.6
67 Yellow cards received 57
1 Red cards received 689 GK saves 1077 Clean sheets 4
Series HistoryMNU all-time W-D-L: 9 - 8 - 7 | 26 GF, 32 GA
MNU home W-D-L: 6 - 5 - 1 | 12 GF, 6 GA
MNU away W-D-L: 3 - 3 - 6 |14 GF, 26 GA
NASL stats only | 2015 Season
Minnesota Falls in Extra Time
Ndjock
Calvano
Pitchkolan
Alhassan
RamirezMendes
Davis
Ibson
Jordan
VenegasVicentini
Match OfficialsReferee: Mathieu Bordeau (No NASL matches in 2016) MNU matches officiated: 2ARs: Benjamin Wooten, Ben Pilgrim4th: Kevin Broadley
UP NEXT | Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawks | April 2, 2015 | WakeMed Park, Cary, NC | NASL Spring Season
HOW THE TEAMS COMPARE MNU CAR
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
3
Date Score Result Location4/16/10 MN 1 at CAR 0 W WakeMed Park9/15/10 MN 1 vs CAR 0 W NSC Stadium10/06/10 MN 0 vs CAR 0 D NSC Stadium10/09/10 MN 0 at CAR 4 L WakeMed Park4/30/11 MN 1 vs CAR 1 D NSC Stadium7/09/11 MN 1 vs CAR 0 W NSC Stadium8/17/11 MN 1 at CAR 1 D WakeMed Park9/24/11 MN 2 at CAR 1 W WakeMed Park10/08/11 MN 1 vs CAR 0 W NSC Stadium10/15/11 MN 3 at CAR 4 L WakeMed Park4/07/12 MN 0 vs CAR 0 D H.H.H. Metrodome5/12/12 MN 2 vs CAR 1 W NSC Stadium6/09/12 MN 1 at CAR 5 L WakeMed Park7/21/12 MN 0 at CAR 1 L WakeMed Park5/05/13 MNU 2 vs CAR 2 D H.H.H. Metrodome6/22/13 MNU 2 at CAR 3 L WakeMed Park8/24/13 MNU 0 at CAR 1 L WakeMed Park10/18/13 MNU 0 vs CAR 1 L NSC Stadium5/24/14 MNU 0 vs CAR 0 D NSC Stadium7/17/14 MNU 1 vs CAR 0 W NSC Stadium11/01/14 MNU 2 at CAR 2 D WakeMed Park6/06/15 MNU 1 at CAR 1 D WakeMed Park7/04/15 MNU 1 at CAR 3 L WakeMed Park9/12/15 MNU 3 vs CAR 1 W NSC Stadium
MNU CAR3 Simone Bracalello* GOALS Pablo Campos* 52 Pablo Campos* ASSISTS Tiyi Shipalane 33 Three players tied YELLOW CARDS Five players tied 51 Four players tied RED CARDS Two players tied 2
5 Joe Warren* WINS Akira Fitzgerald 45 Matt VanOekel* LOSSES Brad Knighton* 45 Joe Warren* CLEAN SHEETS Two players tied 3
MNU CAR2 Etienne Barbara* GOALS Pablo Campos* 31 Seven players tied ASSISTS Six players tied 16 Oct. 15, 2011 YELLOW CARDS Three times 4
4 Mitch Hildebrandt* SAVES Akira Fitzgerald 85 Matt VanOekel* GOALS AGAINST Two players tied 3
RailHawks captain Connor Tobin played for Minnesota from 2012 to 2013. Before coming to Minnesota, he played with J.C. Banks on the Rochester Rhinos in 2011.
Drew Beckie played with Ben Speas during the 2013 MLS season with the Columbus Crew.
Speas, Jamie Watson, Brian Shriver, and Billy Schuler all played for the University of North Carolina. Speas and Schuler helped UNC win the 2011 NCAA College Cup.
Schuler also teamed up with Danny Cruz on the U.S. U17 National Team in 2007.
Lance Laing was joined on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers by Shriver in 2011 and Aly Alberto Hassan in 2012. Hassan and James Marcelin played with Stefano Pinho on the Strikers in 2015.
Austin da Luz played with Jamie Watson on the Austin Aztex U23 team. da Luz joined Orlando City in 2014 where he was coached by United Assistant Coach Ian Fuller.
Marvin Ceballos and Kristian Nicht were teammates at Indy Eleven last season.
Colin Clarke coached Aaron Pitchkolan in 2005 and 2006 with FC Dallas. Clarke and Pitchkolan were reunited during the 2011 season with the Puerto Rico Islanders.
RailHawks goalkeeper coach Nic Platter guarded the Minnesota Thunder net from 2005 to 2009.
Team Type Player # of Games
MinnesotaUnited
Goals NoneAssists None
Shutout None
CarolinaRailHawks
Goals NoneAssists None
Shutout None*Streak considered 2+ games in a row.
* Player no longer with the club.
Suspended: none Suspended after next caution: none Suspended after 2 more cautions: none
DISCIPLINARY REPORT
MINNESOTA CONNECTIONS
ALL-TIME SERIES SINGLE GAME HIGHS
ALL-TIME RESULTS AGAINST CAROLINA RAILHAWKS
ALL-TIME SERIES LEADERS
CURRENT TEAM STREAKS*
GOALS SCORED IN SERIES BY INTERVAL
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
4
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
PREVIOUS MEETING - 9/12/2015
3 11ST HALF
4’ G: DansoYC: Calvano 23’
45’ YC: Engel2ND HALF
YC: Mendes 47’71’ YC: Da Luz
OG: Scott 72’G: Campos 76’
YC: Campos 77’G: Venegas 81’
vs
ABOUT CAROLINA RAILHAWKSOn July 19, 2006 the Carolina RailHawks were officially born given the club name and badge at halftime of a match at WakeMed Soccer Park. The club’s name, the RailHawks, originated from a name-the-team contest. The badge depicts a RailHawk flying over a set of train tracks.
On Saturday, April 21, 2007 the RailHawks kicked off their first season with a 1-1 draw against the Minnesota Thunder in front of 6,327 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Carolina is one of three teams that have played against Minnesota since 2010, and was one of the founding members of the NASL. The RailHawks topped the standings in the inaugural NASL season, but fell in the semifinals to Minnesota in a shootout.
Carolina just missed the Soccer Bowl Final the next two years, bowing out in the semifinal once again in 2012, and failing to win either the Spring or Fall Championship in 2013 despite having the best overall record. The past two years have seen the RailHawks finish mid-table.
After a period of uncertainty and ownership issues due to the FBI investigation of FIFA, local entrepreneur Steve Malik stepped in and purchased the team in October, 2015.
• Connor Tobin is the only player on either roster to have scored for both teams in his career.
• Carolina has never made it past the semifinals in the NASL postseason. Both times the team made the semis, it lost to the eventual champions. (Minnesota in 2011 and Tampa Bay in 2012)
• Three of the top five all-time goal scorers in the NASL, Pablo Campos, Etienne Barbara, and Brian Shriver, have played for the RailHawks. Barbara and Shriver won the NASL Golden Boot while playing for Carolina.
• Akira Fitzgerald is the all-time saves leader in the NASL with 140.
• Carolina and New York are the only teams currently in the NASL to have outscored United in the all-time series between the clubs.
• With Manny Lagos becoming Minnesota United’s Sporting Director, Carolina Head Coach Colin Clarke is now the longest tenured coach in the league (2011 - present). His 2011 season was spent with Puerto Rico.
• Minnesota has scored 103 goals in the past two NASL seasons, conceding 70.
• Christian Ramriez has played in every single Minnesota United match since he joined the club in 2014.
• Two of the ten red cards given to Minnesota’s opponents last year were given to RailHawks players.
• United was only out-possessed by an opponent five times last season. Four of those matches came during the Spring Season. The club was 1-2-2 when losing the possession battle.
• Justin Davis is the only player in club history to play over 10,000 minutes (currently 12,233). Kevin Venegas is second-highest active player with 7,210 minutes for the Loons.
• Minnesota has earned 35 from playing the RailHawks, earning 12 of them at WakeMed Park.
MNU VS CAR QUICK FACTS
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
5
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
6
2016 SPRING SEASONDate Opponent Time (CDT) Location4/02 at Carolina RailHawks 2:00 p.m. WakeMed Park4/10 at FC Edmonton 3:00 p.m. Clarke Stadium4/16 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium4/23 New York Cosmos 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium5/08 at Ottawa Fury FC 1:00 p.m. TD Place5/14 Jacksonville Armada 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium5/21 at Indy Eleven 6:30 p.m. Carroll Stadium5/28 Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium6/04 at Rayo OKC 8:00 p.m. Stadium6/11 Miami FC 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium2016 FALL SEASON7/02 Carolina RailHawks 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium7/09 at Indy Eleven 6:30 p.m. Carroll Stadium7/16 Indy Eleven 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium7/23 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium7/30 at Rayo OKC 8:00 p.m. Miller Stadium8/03 Puerto Rico FC 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium8/06 Miami FC 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium8/14 at FC Edmonton 3:00 p.m. Clarke Stadium8/17 Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium8/20 at Jacksonville Armada 6:00 p.m. Community First Park8/27 at Miami FC 7:00 p.m. FIU Stadium8/31 at Fort Lauderdale Strikers 6:30 p.m. Lockhart Stadium9/03 Rayo OKC 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium9/10 at New York Cosmos 6:00 p.m. Shuart Stadium9/17 Ottawa Fury FC 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium9/24 at Ottawa Fury FC 6:00 p.m. TD Place10/01 Jacksonville Armada 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium10/05 at Tampa Bay Rowdies 6:30 p.m. Al Lang Stadium10/08 at Puerto Rico FC 6:30 p.m. Loubriel Stadium10/15 FC Edmonton 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium10/22 at Carolina RailHawks 6:30 p.m. WakeMed Park10/29 New York Cosmos 7:00 p.m. NSC Stadium
2016 2015 All-timePlaying at home 0-0-0 8-6-1 41-27-21Playing on the road 0-0-0 6-5-5 33-25-32Playing on grass 0-0-0 11-9-2 57-39-40Playing on artificial turf 0-0-0 3-2-4 17-13-13Scoring first 0-0-0 10-6-2 59-22-8Allowing first 0-0-0 4-3-4 15-15-45Scoring 0 goals 0-0-0 0-2-1 0-15-31Scoring 1 goal 0-0-0 4-5-4 19-26-19Scoring 2 goals 0-0-0 3-3-1 24-8-3Scoring 3+ goals 0-0-0 7-1-0 32-3-0Allowing 0 goals 0-0-0 5-2-0 33-15-0Allowing 1 goal 0-0-0 6-5-1 27-26-17Allowing 2 goals 0-0-0 2-3-2 10-8-19Allowing 3+ goals 0-0-0 1-1-3 4-3-17Scoring in the 1st half 0-0-0 11-7-4 56-19-14Scoreless 1st half 0-0-0 3-4-2 18-33-39Scoring in the 2nd half 0-0-0 10-6-1 55-24-11Scoreless 2nd half 0-0-0 4-5-5 19-28-42Leading at halftime 0-0-0 9-4-2 46-13-5Trailing at halftime 0-0-0 1-1-2 4-11-26Tied at halftime 0-0-0 4-6-2 24-28-22Leading after 60 minutes 0-0-0 9-6-1 52-18-3Trailing after 60 minutes 0-0-0 1-2-2 2-9-32Tied after 60 minutes 0-0-0 4-3-3 20-25-18Leading after 75 minutes 0-0-0 10-4-1 59-11-2Trailing after 75 minutes 0-0-0 0-2-3 2-9-41Tied after 75 minutes 0-0-0 4-5-2 13-32-10
# Player Date Opponent Min1 Pablo Campos Apr. 25th San Antonio 342 Christian Ramirez Apr. 25th San Antonio 58 ^3 Miguel Ibarra May 3rd Edmonton 24 Jamie Watson May 3rd Edmonton 85 ^5 Pablo Campos May 9th Atlanta 436 Kalif Alhassan May 16th Indy 22 +7 Justin Davis May 16th Indy 638 Juliano Vicentini May 16th Indy 839 Pablo Campos May 23rd Jacksonville 53 ^10 Tiago Calvano May 23rd Jacksonville 58 *11 Miguel Ibarra May 23rd Jacksonville 7612 Pablo Campos May 30th New York 813 J.C. Banks Jun. 6th Carolina 4814 Miguel Ibarra Jun. 13th Fort Lauderdale 18 ^15 Aaron Pitchkolan Jun. 13th Fort Lauderdale 3816 Daniel Mendes Jul. 4th Carolina 2717 Christian Ramirez Jul. 11th Ottawa 218 Juliano Vicentini Jul. 15th Jacksonville 1319 Daniel Mendes Jul. 15th Jacksonville 5020 Christian Ramirez Jul. 15th Jacksonville 6021 Ibson Jul. 15th Jacksonville 7522 Christian Ramirez Jul. 25th San Antonio 1223 Justin Davis Jul. 25th San Antonio 2224 Ibson Jul. 25th San Antonio 37 +25 Kalif Alhassan Jul. 25th San Antonio 4826 Christian Ramirez Jul. 31st Jacksonville 2127 Justin Davis Jul. 31st Jacksonville 7828 Ibson Jul. 31st Jacksonville 8429 Christian Ramirez Aug. 5th New York 8 *
# Player Date Opponent Min30 Christian Ramirez Aug. 8th Edmonton 47 ^31 Christian Ramirez Aug. 15th Ottawa 1732 Daniel Mendes Aug. 15th Ottawa 90 +33 Ibson Aug. 22nd Tampa Bay 3634 Justin Davis Aug. 22nd Tampa Bay 6635 Daniel Mendes Aug. 22nd Tampa Bay 9036 Justin Davis Sep. 2nd Indy 7737 Kalif Alhassan Sep. 6th Edmonton 10 +38 Daniel Scott (OG) Sep. 12th Carolina 7339 Pablo Campos Sep. 12th Carolina 7640 Kevin Venegas Sep. 12th Carolina 8141 Christian Ramirez Sep. 15th Atlanta 2842 J.C. Banks Sep. 15th Atlanta 8343 Christian Ramirez Sep. 26th Fort Lauderdale 1244 Kalif Alhassan Sep. 26th Fort Lauderdale 2745 Daniel Mendes Sep. 26th Fort Lauderdale 4446 Ibson Sep. 26th Fort Lauderdale 6147 Ibson Sep. 26th Fort Lauderdale 8748 Christian Ramirez Oct. 3rd Tampa Bay 4449 Pablo Campos Oct. 10th Fort Lauderdale 650 Daniel Mendes Oct. 10th Fort Lauderdale 2751 Brent Kallman Oct. 17th Indy 85 *52 Christian Ramirez Oct. 24th Atlanta 9 ^53 Pablo Campos Oct. 31st San Antonio 70 ^54 Kevin Venegas Oct. 31st San Antonio 90 +55 Christian Ramirez Nov. 7th Ottawa 7 ^
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED FC GOAL MAPGOAL INFORMATION
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED FC GOAL MAP2015 MINNESOTA UNITED GOAL MAP
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
9
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
10
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
Last home win 1-0 vs Atlanta Silverbacks 10/24/2015Last home loss 2-3 vs Fort Lauderdale Strikers 6/13/2015Last home draw 2-2 vs San Antonio Scorpions 10/31/2015
Last away win 5-2 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers 9/26/2015Last away loss 1-2 ET @ Ottawa Fury 11/07/2015Last away draw 1-1 @ FC Edmonton 9/06/2015
Held scoreless 0-0 D vs New York Cosmos 9/19/2015Scored 1 goal 1-2 OTL @ Ottawa Fury FC 11/07/2015Scored 2 goals 2-2 D vs San Antonio Scorpions 10/31/2015Scored 3+ goals 5-2 W @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers 9/26/2015
Clean sheet 1-0 W vs Atlanta Silverbacks 10/24/2015Allowed 1 goal 2-1 W vs Fort Lauderdale Strikers 10/10/2015Allowed 2 goals 1-2 OTL @ Ottawa Fury FC 11/07/2015Allowed 3+ goals 1-3 L @ Indy Eleven 10/17/2015
Scored hat trick Omar Daley, @ Tampa Bay 11/02/2013Multi-goal game Ibson (2), @ Fort Lauderdale 9/26/2015Multi-assist game Christian Ramirez (2), @ Ft. Lauderdale 9/26/2015Multi-point game Pablo Campos (1G/1A), vs Ft. Lauderdale 10/10/2015Sent off Juliano Vicentini, @ Atlanta 9/15/2015Penalty scored Christian Ramirez, @ Ottawa 11/07/2015Penalty missed Christian Ramirez, vs New York 10/18/2014GK penalty save Joe Warren, vs Carolina 7/09/2011
Min
neso
ta U
nite
d
Scored hat trick Pablo Campos, Carolina 10/15/2011Multi-goal game Tom Heinemann (2), Ottawa 11/07/2015Multi-assist game Austin Da Luz (2), Carolina 5/4/2013Multi-point game Tom Heinemann (2G), Ottawa 11/07/2015Sent off Brian Sweat, Tampa Bay 10/03/15Penalty scored Rafael Castillo, San Antonio 10/31/2015Penalty missed Pablo Campos, Carolina 10/15/2011GK penalty save Jeff Antinella, Tampa Bay 10/27/2012
Oppo
siti
on
* Indicates a match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. All other achievements reflect league play. Current as of 11/07/15
First game (as MNUFC): 0-0 draw against San Antonio, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/6/2013 (as MN Stars): 0-2 loss against Vancouver, Burnaby, BC, 4/11/2010First win (as MNUFC): 2-0 win against Edmonton, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/20/2013 (as MN Stars): 1-0 win against Carolina, Cary, N.C., 4/16/2010First playoff win (as MN Stars): 1-0 win against Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Fla., 10/1/2011First home game (as MNUFC): 0-0 draw against San Antonio, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/6/2013 (as MN Stars): 1-0 win against Tampa Bay, Blaine, Minn., 4/24/2010First tie (as MNUFC): 0-0 draw against San Antonio, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/6/2013 (as MN Stars): 1-1 draw against Miami, Blaine, Minn., 5/15/2010First goal (as MNUFC): Simone Bracalello against Edmonton, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/20/2013 (as MN Stars): Daniel Wasson against Carolina, Cary, N.C., 4/16/ 2010
First home goal (as MNUFC): Simone Bracalello against Edmonton, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/20/2013 (as MN Stars): Leilei Gao, against Tampa Bay, Blaine, Minn., 4/24/2010 First playoff goal (as MNUFC): Miguel Ibarra, against Ft. Lauderdale, Blaine, Minn., 11/8/14 (as MN Stars): Luke Mulholland, against Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Fla., 10/1/2011First assist (as MNUFC): Aaron Pitchkolan to Lucas Rodriguez against Edmonton, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/20/2013 (as MN Stars): Daniel Wasson to Neil Hlavaty against Puerto Rico, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 4/21/2010 First caution (as MNUFC): Aaron Pitchkolan against Edmonton, Minneapolis, Minn., 4/20/2013 (As MN Stars): Andrei Gotsmanov against Vancouver, in Burnaby, BC, Canada, 4/11/2010 First ejection (as MNUFC): Geison Moura against Atlanta, Blaine, Minn., 7/4/2013 (As MN Stars): Brian Kallman against Tampa Bay, Blaine, Minn., 4/24/2010
MOST RECENT TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS MOST RECENT INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
MINNESOTA UNITED FIRSTS
MINNESOTA UNITED ALL-TIME INDIVIDUAL HONORS
NASL PLAYERS OF THE MONTHJoe Warren (GK)Oct. 2011 (Playoff MVP)Simone Bracalello (M)May 2013Christian Ramirez (F)May/June 2014; August 2014;October/November 2014; July 2015Miguel Ibarra (M)September 2014
NASL COACH OF THE YEARManny Lagos2011; 2014
NASL YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEARChristian Ramirez (F)2014
NASL GOLDEN BALL (MVP)Miguel Ibarra (M)2014
NASL GOLDEN BOOTChristian Ramirez (F)2011; 2014
NASL GOAL OF THE YEARKevin Venegas (M)2012Christian Ramirez (F)2014
NASL BEST XI SELECTIONS2012Kyle Altman (D)2013Miguel Ibarra (M); Aaron Pitchkolan (D)2014Christian Ramirez (F); Miguel Ibarra (M); Justin Davis (D); Tiago Calvano2015Christian Ramirez (F); Ibson (M); Justin Davis (D); Kevin Venegas (D)
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
11
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
Caro
lina
Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA4/02 @ Carolina 2:00 p.m. 2010 2 1 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 4 4 2 1 1 2 47/02 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2011 3 2 1 0 3 1 3 2 1 0 6 6 6 4 2 0 9 710/22 @ Carolina 6:30 p.m. 2012 2 1 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 2 1 6 4 1 1 2 3 7
Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA4/16 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2010^ 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 27/23 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2011 3 1 1 1 4 3 3 0 2 1 1 4 6 1 3 2 5 78/31 @ Ft. Lauderdale 6:30 p.m. 2012 2 1 0 1 3 3 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 2 1 1 6 4
Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA5/21 @ Indy 6:30 p.m. 2014 2 2 0 0 8 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 3 2 0 1 8 57/09 @ Indy 6:30 p.m. 2015 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 4 4 3 2 0 1 5 47/16 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All Time 3 3 0 0 9 3 3 1 0 2 4 6 6 4 0 2 13 9Leading Scorers in series: MNU: Ramirez (3); IND: Kléberson* (2)
Jack
sonv
ille Home Games Away Games Totals
2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA5/14 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2015 2 2 0 0 7 2 1 0 1 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 10 58/20 @ Jacksonville 6:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 010/01 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. All Time 2 2 0 0 7 2 1 0 1 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 10 5
Leading Scorers in series: MNU: Ramirez, Ibson (2); JAX: Johnson (2)
Mia
mi Home Games Away Games Totals
2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA6/11 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 08/06 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. All Time 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 08/27 @ Miami 7:00 p.m. Leading Scorers in series: MNU: none; MIA: none
Edm
onto
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Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA4/10 @ Edmonton 3:00 p.m. 2011 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 5 4 0 2 2 4 78/14 @ Edmonton 3:00 p.m. 2012 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 5 4 4 1 3 0 7 610/15 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2013 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 1 0 1 3 4 4 2 1 1 6 5
HOME GAMES AWAY GAMES TOTALSSeason GP W T L GF GA GP W T L GF GA GP W T L GF GA2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0All-time 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Leading scorers in series MNU: None MIA: None
Minnesota United FC was known as the Minnesota Stars prior to 2013 | * Player no longer with the club | ^ As Miami FC Blues
MINNESOTA UNITED ALL-TIME HISTORY AGAINST LEAGUE OPPOSITION
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Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA4/23 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2013 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 29/10 @ New York 6:00 p.m. 2014 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 210/29 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2015 2 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 3 0 2 1 2 3
Puerto Rico IslandersSeries range: 2010-2012MIN all-time record (W-D-L): 4-2-5Goals For: 16 | Against: 13In Minnesota: 3-1-1
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Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA5/28 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2010# 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 1 4 4 4 3 0 1 6 48/17 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2011# 2 0 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 5 1 2 2 3 510/05 @ Tampa Bay 6:30 p.m. 2012 3 2 0 1 5 3 3 0 1 2 1 5 6 2 1 3 6 8
Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA5/08 @ Ottawa 1:00 p.m. 2014 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 2 0 0 5 3 3 3 0 0 7 49/17 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2015 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 1 0 2 3 4 4 1 1 2 4 59/24 @ Ottawa 6:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All Time 2 1 1 0 3 2 5 3 0 2 8 7 7 4 1 2 11 9Leading Scorers in series: MNU: Ramirez (6); OTT: Heinemann* (5)
Puer
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ico Home Games Away Games Totals
2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA8/03 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 010/08 @ Puerto Rico 6:30 p.m. All Time 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leading Scorers in series: MNU: none; MIA: none
OKC
Home Games Away Games Totals2016 Matches: Season GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA GP W D L GF GA6/04 @ Oklahoma City 8:00 p.m. 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 07/30 @ Oklahoma City 8:00 p.m. All Time 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 09/03 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m. Leading Scorers in series: MNU: none; OKC: none
MINNESOTA UNITED ALL-TIME HISTORY AGAINST LEAGUE OPPOSITION CONTINUED
MINNESOTA UNITED ALL-TIME HISTORY AGAINST FORMER LEAGUE OPPOSITIONAtlanta SilverbacksSeries range: 2011-2015MIN all-time record (W-D-L): 11-3-4Goals For: 26 | Against: 18In Minnesota: 6-0-3
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
13
TBR 4/11 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Ibson M Steele M Ibarra M Mendes F RamirezScore: MNU 0-0 TBR Attendance: 7,010 Venue: Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
OTT 4/18 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Bri. Kallman M Vicentini M Ibson M Steele M Ibarra M Mendes F RamirezScore: MNU 0-1 OTT Attendance: 5,093 Venue: TD Place, Ottawa, ON
SAS 4/18 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Jordan M Steele M Ibarra F Campos F RamirezScore: MNU 2-2 SAS Attendance: 9,233 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
FCE 5/3 GK Hildebrand D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Jordan M Steele M Ibarra F Campos F RamirezScore: MNU 2-2 FCE Attendance: 2,986 Venue: Clarke Stadium, Edmonton, AB
ATL 5/9 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Watson M Ibarra M Alhassan F CamposScore: MNU 1-0 ATL Attendance: 9,056 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
IND 5/16 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Watson M Ibarra M Alhassan F CamposScore: MNU 3-1 IND Attendance: 10,524 Venue: Michael A. Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
JAX 5/23 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Banks M Ibarra M Alhassan F CamposScore: MNU 3-2 JAX Attendance: 9,012 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
STL 5/27 GK Hildebrandt D Polak D Pitchkolan D Bre Kallman D Bri Kallman M Jordan M Moura M Steele M Banks M Ibarra F RamirezScore: MNU 1 (1)-(3) 1 STL Attendance: 2,579 Venue: World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO
NYC 5/30 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibarra M Ibson F CamposScore: MNU 1-1 NYC Attendance: 9,317 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
CAR 6/06 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Mendes M Banks M Ibson F CamposScore: MNU 1-1 CAR Attendance: 4,863 Venue: WakeMed Park, Cary, NC
FTL 6/13 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Venegas M Pitchkolan M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibarra M Ibson F CamposScore: MNU 2-3 FTL Attendance: 9,342 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
CAR 7/04 GK Ndjock D Davis D Dias D Calvano D Bri. Kallman M Ibson M Vicentini M Mendes M Alhassan M Venegas F CamposScore: MNU 1-3 CAR Attendance: 3,075 Venue: WakeMed Park, Cary, NC
OTT 7/11 GK Ndjock D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibson M Pitchkolan M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-1 OTT Attendance: 9,030 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
JAX 7/15 GK Ndjock D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibson M Pitchkolan M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 4-0 JAX Attendance: 9,412 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
LEO 7/18 GK Hildebrandt D Polak D Bre. Kallman D Dias D Bri. Kallman M Jordan M Banks M Ibarra M Moura M Ramirez F CamposScore: MNU 1-1 LEO Attendance: 9,388 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
SAS 7/25 GK Ndjock D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibson M Pitchkolan M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 4-3 SAS Attendance: 7,087 Venue: Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX
JAX 7/31 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Mendes M Ibson M Pitchkolan M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 3-3 JAX Attendance: 6,847 Venue: Community First Park, Jacksonville, FL
NYC 8/05 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Mendes M Ibson M Pitchkolan M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-2 NYC Attendance: 3,607 Venue: James M. Shuart Stadium, New York, NY
FCE 8/08 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Dias M Vicentini M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Jordan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-1 FCE Attendance: 9,077 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
OTT 8/15 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Jordan F RamirezScore: MNU 2-1 OTT Attendance: 6,899 Venue: TD Place, Ottawa, ON
TBR 8/22 GK Hildebrandt D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Jordan F RamirezScore: MNU 3-1 TBR Attendance: 5,059 Venue: Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
IND 9/02 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Moura F RamirezScore: MNU 1-0 IND Attendance: 7,137 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
FCE 9/06 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Jordan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-1 FCE Attendance: 3,156 Venue: Clarke Field, Edmonton, AB
CAR 9/12 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Ibson M Alhassan M Yago M Jordan F RamirezScore: MNU 3-1 CAR Attendance: 8,222 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED STARTING LINEUPS - ALL COMPETITIONS
= Home = Away
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
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ATL 9/15 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Bre. Kallman D Venegas M Vicentini M Ibson M Mendes M Gotsmanov M Ramirez F CamposScore: MNU 2-1 ATL Attendance: 2,302 Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA
NYC 9/19 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Ibson M Alhassan M Banks M Mendes F RamirezScore: MNU 0-0 NYC Attendance: 9,418 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
FTL 9/26 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Jordan M Ibson M Alhassan M Mendes F RamirezScore: MNU 5-2 FTL Attendance: 2,903 Venue: Lockhart Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
TBR 10/3 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Vicentini M Jordan M Ibson M Alhassan M Mendes F RamirezScore: MNU 1-0 TBR Attendance: 8,932 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
FTL 10/10 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Mendes M Ibson M Ramirez M Alhassan F CamposScore: MNU 2-1 FTL Attendance: 9,207 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
IND 10/17 GK Ndjock D Polak D Pitchkolan D Bre. Kallman D Venegas M Jordan M Mendes M Ibson M Ramirez M Alhassan F CamposScore: MNU 1-3 IND Attendance: 9,085 Venue: Michael A. Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
ATL 10/24 GK Ndjock D Davis D Bre. Kallman D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Mendes M Ibson M Banks M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-0 ATL Attendance: 9,212 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
SAS 10/31 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Vicentini M Ibson M Mendes M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 2-2 SAS Attendance: 5,890 Venue: NSC Stadium, Blaine, MN
OTT 11/07 GK Ndjock D Davis D Pitchkolan D Calvano D Venegas M Jordan M Vicentini M Ibson M Mendes M Alhassan F RamirezScore: MNU 1-2 (ET) OTT Attendance: 9,346 Venue: TD Place, Ottawa, ON
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED STARTING LINEUPS - ALL COMPETITIONS CONTINUED
= Home = Away
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
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Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown First Name Last Name1 Aaron Perez GK 6-4 225 Covina, Calif. PAIR-ehz2 Justin Davis D 6-0 175 Litchfield Park, Ariz.3 Jeb Brovsky D 6-1 170 Lakewood, Colo. BRAHV-ski4 Aaron Pitchkolan M/D 6-2 185 Aurora, Colo. pitch-KOH-len5 Tiago Calvano D 6-2 180 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CHEE-ah-go cal-VA-no6 Brent Kallman D 6-2 190 Woodbury, Minn.7 Ibson M 6-0 174 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil EEB-son8 Danny Cruz F 5-8 170 Petersburg, Virg. CROOZE9 Bernardo Añor M 5-8 158 Caracas, Venezuela bear-NAR-doh AHN-yor10 Ben Speas M 5-8 185 Stow, Ohio SPEES11 Stefano Pinho F 6-0 170 São João Nepomuceno, Brazil steh-FA-no PEEN-yo13 Jamie Watson M 5-7 154 Arlington, Tex.15 Ismaila Jome F 6-1 160 Brooklyn Park, Minn. ish-MAIL-ah JOHM17 Lance Laing M 6-0 180 Trelawny Parish, Jamaica LANG18 Daniel Mendes M/F 5-7 152 São Paulo, Brazil20 Andrei Gotsmanov M 5-8 174 Minsk, Soviet Union ON-drey GOTS-muh-nov21 Christian Ramirez F 6-2 187 Santa Anna, Cali.22 Kevin Venegas D 5-10 150 Lakewood, Cali. veh-NAY-gus23 Greg Jordan M 6-0 165 Naperville, Ill.24 Kristian Nicht GK 6-5 225 Jena, East Germany NEESHT29 J.C. Banks F 5-8 160 Milwaukee, Wisc. 31 Damion Lowe D 6-3 174 Kingston, Jamaica33 Sammy Ndjock GK 5-11 187 Yaoundé, Cameroon EN-jock 77 Juliano Vicentini M 5-9 154 São José do Rio Preto, Brazil JOO-lee-ah-no vee-sen-CHEE-nee
Position Name Yrs. w/ Club Hometown First Name Last NameHead Coach Carl Craig 7 Newcastle, UKAssistant Coach Peter Rivard 2 Woodbury, Minn. rih-VARDAssistant Coach Ian Fuller 1 Ellensburg, Wash.Goalkeeper Coach Paul O’Connor 4 Easington, UKAthletic Trainer Yoshiyuki Ono 3 Undono, Japan YO-shi-you-key OH-noSporting Director Manny Lagos 7 Saint Paul, Minn. LAH-gohs
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED FC GOAL MAPMINNESOTA UNITED FC TECHNICAL STAFF AND PRONUNCIATIONS
2015 MINNESOTA UNITED FC GOAL MAPMINNESOTA UNITED FC NUMERICAL ROSTER AND PRONUNCIATIONS
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
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Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
#9 Bernardo Añor: Añor joins Minnesota on loan from Sporting Kansas City in MLS. The Venezuelan came up through Caracas’ academy and played college soccer for Southern Florida. He spent four years with the Columbus Crew before joining Sporting in 2015.
#29 J.C. Banks: After several successful seasons with USL PRO’s Rochester Rhinos, Banks joined Minnesota United prior to 2015. The Milwaukee native was a two-time MVP for the Rhinos and scored 17 goals in 78 appearances.
#3 Jeb Brovsky: Following five seasons in MLS, Brovsky joined Minnesota at the beginning of the 2016 season. He most recently played with New York City FC in its inaugural season. He had two goals and five assists in the league.
#5 Tiago Calvano: A veteran central defender who joined Minnesota United in the 2014 season, Calvano began his playing career in 2001 in his native Rio de Janeiro playing for Botafogo in Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He has played in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia.
#8 Danny Cruz: The Virginia native joined the Loons after six years in MLS and a year on loan in Norway. Cruz played with the U.S. Youth national teams and was drafted 31st overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He was a key part of the Philadelphia Union’s U.S. Open Cup run in 2014.
#2 Justin Davis: Davis earned two first-team all-conference honors while playing for the University of New Mexico, before joining Minnesota as a rookie in 2011. Originally an attacking player, Davis has made the transition to left back and become a dynamic part of the United roster.
#20 Andrei Gotsmanov: First playing for Minnesota in 2010 and 2011, Gotsmanov rejoined the club in August of 2015. He was a key part of the 2011 Soccer Bowl Championship season for Minnesota, scoring a goal in the second leg of the semifinal that led to a shootout win.
#7 Ibson: After playing with several major clubs around the world, the Brazilian midfielder joined United prior to the 2015 season. Ibson has played with some of the biggest Brazilian clubs and has scored and played in the UEFA Champions League.
#15 Ismaila Jome: The 2012 Minnesota Mr. Soccer award winner joined Minnesota in the 2016 preseason. While at Prairie Seeds Academy in Brooklyn Park, MN, Jome led his school to three section championships and one state title. He played three years at UC-Santa Barbra before signing with United.
#23 Greg Jordan: After trialling with Minnesota United FC in the 2014 preseason, Jordan was signed before the season started. He attended Creighton University and was selected in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union before joining United.
#6 Brent Kallman: The younger brother of Minnesota vice-captain Brian Kallman, Brent Kallman is following a path similar to his brother’s. He played collegiately at Creighton University, where he was named to the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference all-freshman team.
#17 Lance Laing: An NASL veteran and a Jamaican international, Laing has been one of the most valuable players in the modern history of the NASL. Starting his career as a defender before moving to the midfield, Laing was the first player to make the NASL Best XI three times.
#31 Damion Lowe: The Jamaican joins United on loan from the Seattle Sounders in MLS. Lowe is a young defender that has proven himself to be a valuable playerwith Sounders 2 in USL last season, his second year in the Sounders.
#18 Daniel Mendes: Mendes joined United from Kalmar FF of the Allsvenskan in Sweden before the 2014 season. He has played the past eight years in Sweden, tallying 52 goals in 186 games. Mendes scored the fastest goal in the history of the Allsvenskan, in 6.4 seconds.
#33 Sammy Ndjock: Beginning his career in France with Lille, Ndjock established himself as a starting goalkeeper in Turkey. After several successful seasons with Antalyaspor, he was called to the Cameroon National Team for the 2014 World Cup. He joined United in 2015.
#24 Kristian Nicht: Having played at the top levels in Europe, Nicht has found success in the U.S. He was a top goalkeeper for the Rochester Rhinos in USL, winning several awards, and was the starter for Indy Eleven the past two seasons in the NASL.
#1 Aaron Perez: After playing American football in college with UCLA and a brief career in the NFL, Perez returned to soccer in 2012. He has played the last three seasons with the Orange County Blues, playing mainly as the backup keeper.
#11 Stefano Pinho: After playing several seasons with Brazilian side Fluminese and a loan with Fort Lauderdale, Pinho joined Minnesota n 2016. The young striker took home several awards in the 2015 season including Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and a spot in the Best XI.
#4 Aaron Pitchkolan: Pitchkolan began his professional career with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, making 68 league appearances and scoring five goals from 2005-2009. Pitchkolan signed with Minnesota in January 2013 and is the current captain of the team.
#21 Christian Ramirez: Ramirez, a California native, signed with Minnesota United in the 2014 season. Formerly of the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO, he appeared in 26 matches and scored 12 goals in the 2013 season for the team. Ramirez led the NASL with 20 goals in 2014, winning the Golden Boot award.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
17
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
#10 Ben Speas: Speas was a Homegrown player for the Columbus Crew, developing in the team’s academy before making his senior debut in 2012. He played four seasons with the Crew before coming to Minnesota in 2016.
#22 Kevin Venegas: Venegas began his professional career with Minnesota in 2012. His first professional goal won the NASL Goal of the Year in 2012. He has transitioned from a midfielder into the go-to right defender for Minnesota.
#77 Juliano Vicentini: Brazilian midfielder Juliano Vicentini joined Minnesota United FC during the 2014 preseason from São Paulo Audax Sports Club. He is a veteran with experience in Brazilian and Italian leagues.
#13 Jamie Watson: A veteran of American soccer, attacking midfielder Jamie Watson has scored in each of the top four divisions of American soccer. He spent part of the 2012 season with Minnesota, on loan from Orlando City.
Head Coach Carl Craig: Craig was appointed head coach in 2016. The Newcastle upon Tyne native moved to the United States in 1994 as part of his involvement with Coerver Coaching. He has coached for 7 local area youth teams and is also head coach of a Minnesota Olympic Development Program select team. He was also head coach of Twin City Phoenix of the PDL and the Minnesota Blast of the NPSL.
Assistant Coach Peter Rivard: Brought on as the reserve team head coach in 2015, Rivard transitioned to an assistant coach role. He has a background with top-level coaching experience at universities. He has coaching experience at the NCAA D1, D2 and NAIA levels and has been the Director of Coaching for three different clubs. With his A License, Y License, TOPSoccer and NSCAA DOC certificates.
Assistant Coach Ian Fuller: Fuller joined Minnesota in 2016, following a successful stint with Orlando City SC. He was a player coach with Orlando helping the team to multiple titles in USL during his five years with the Lions. He made the transition to MLS as a full-time coach, guiding Orlando to a respectable finish just outside of a playoff spot.
Goalkeeper Coach Paul O’Connor: A native of Easington, England, O’Connor played professionally in the United Kingdom for six years and was a semi-professional keeper for an additional seven seasons. He’s currently the director of goalkeeping for the Fusion Soccer Association, bringing the club more than 20 years of coaching experience at all levels of the game, from youth through professional and international. O’Connor joined the club in 2013.
CONSTRUCTING MINNESOTA UNITED FC2016 TRANSACTION TRACKER
MINNESOTA UNITED FC COACHING STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
MINNESOTA UNITED FC PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES CONTINUED
MINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match NotesMINNESOTA UNITED FCOfficial Match Notes
18
Minnesota United FC vs Carolina RailHawksSaturday, April 2nd | Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CTWakeMed Park, Cary, NC
GOALS: Stefano Pinho, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (16) MNU: Christian Ramirez (13)
ASSISTS: Two players tied (9) MNU: Christian Ramirez, Kevin Venegas, Kalif Alhassan (6)
YELLOW CARDS: Lucas Scaglia, Jacksonville Armada (11) MNU: Tiago Calvano (9)
RED CARDS: Lucas Trejo, Jacksonville Armada (3) MNU: Juliano Vicentini (1)
MINUTES PLAYED: Two players tied (2,700) MNU: Justin Davis (2,609)
NASL Golden Ball: Stefano Pinho, Fort Lauderdale StrikersGiven to the Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the media and coaches. Pinho scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists.
NASL Golden Boot: Stefano Pinho, Fort Lauderdale StrikersAwarded to the top goal scorer over the course of the Spring and Fall Seasons. Pinho netted 16 goals for the Strikers.
NASL Golden Glove: Romuald Peiser, Ottawa Fury FCAwarded to the top goalkeeper in the league with a minimum of 10 matches played. Peiser led the league by keeping 14 clean sheets and posted a 0.76 GAA.
NASL Fair Play Award: Ottawa Fury FCThis award is given to the team with the best discipline record in the regular season, based on the fewest number of yellow and red cards.
Coach of the Year: Marc Dos Santos, Ottawa Fury FCDos Santos led the Fury in a very impressive sophomore season for the club, claiming the Fall Championship and appeared in The Championship Final.
Goal of the Season: Junior Burgos, Atlanta SilverbacksSelected by the fans on NASL.com, Burgos’ free kick against San Antonio was voted the best of the best.
The North American Soccer League (NASL) is a professional soccer league with eleven teams in the United States and Canada. It is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as the Division II league in the American league system. Its headquarters are in New York City. Named after the North American league of the 70’s and 80’s, The modern NASL was founded in 2009, and began play in 2011 following a 2010 season that saw NASL and USL teams play in a combined temporary Division II league.
The NASL uses a split-season schedule running from April to early November, with a four-week break in July. The spring and fall champions, along with the two teams with best combined records, meet in a four-team single elimination tournament known as The Championship. The winner of the final claims the Soccer Bowl at the end of the season.
North American Soccer League31 West 34th Street #7034 | New York, NY 10001W: nasl.com • P: (708) 712-5709 • C: Neal Malone
Minnesota United FC4050 Olson Memorial Highway #295 | Golden Valley, MN 55422W: mnunitedfc.com • P: (651) 270-8755 • C: Eric Durkee
New York Cosmos75 Greene Street, 2nd Floor | New York, NY 10012W: nycosmos.com • P: (917) 225-3315 • C: Jen Chang
