With the NASL playoffs looming, Minnesota United was sharp and in control in a 1-0 victory over Atlanta on Saturday night at the National Sports Center.

Christian Ramirez scored the only goal from the penalty spot early on, but United dominated the play, holding the Silverbacks without a decent scoring chance for the entire game.

Atlanta came into the night with outside hopes of earning the league's final playoff spot, meaning the Silverbacks had far more to play for than the Loons, who with one more game to play are locked into the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. United's history in such situations isn't good, either.

Last season, Minnesota clinched the top overall seed in the playoffs with two games to go after leading the league the entire season — but the Loons won only one of their final six games, including an upset loss at home to Fort Lauderdale in the playoffs. After last week's 3-1 loss to Indy Eleven, some observers wondered if United was headed for a similar swoon this season.

Coach Manny Lagos' response was to play United's standard starting 11, except for center back Aaron Pitchkolan, suspended because of accumulated yellow cards. Brent Kallman came into the side, and he put together what Lagos called his best performance as a pro — a testament to the 25-year-old's growth this season.

Kallman's defensive partner, Tiago Calvano, was equally full of praise and noted the two of them make a good team. "I use my experience, and he uses his legs," Calvano said.

Ramirez

Lagos was pleased with his team's comeback, and agreed that this was one of his team's best defensive games of the season — it was the Loons' seventh shutout this season.

"I think tonight was about responding to last week, which was one of our poorer performances," he said.

It took only nine minutes for United to get on the scoreboard. Ramirez let a pass from Ibson run through his legs to reach Kalif Alhassan, who was streaking into the penalty area. Alhassan tried to cut back but was tripped up by Atlanta's Simon Mensing, and referee Alex Chilowicz pointed to the spot. Ramirez converted the penalty kick low and to the keeper's right, his 12th goal of the season and third converted penalty in as many opportunities.

The goal gave United 52 this season, the most scored for any team in the five-year history of the NASL. Combined with an increasingly stout defense, the Loons appear to have put any idea of a swoon behind them and set their sights squarely on the playoffs.