United FC gameday
7 P.M. vs. Fort Lauderdale • NSC Stadium, Blaine • Ch. 45
Preview: A victory or draw and Minnesota is playoff-bound. The Strikers, meanwhile, sit in fourth place, locked in a three-way tie for the final postseason spot.
United FC at a glance: Minnesota (9-2-5 fall) is unbeaten in 10 consecutive matches, with seven victories in that stretch. Minnesota's 48 goals overall lead the North American Soccer League. Forward Christian Ramirez is second in the league with 11 goals. Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale have split their first two games, both winning on the road. United took three points two weeks ago but dropped three in the spring season. Both matches were high-scoring, with 12 combined goals. Minnesota's back line has been strong recently, earning two shutouts in the past three matches. The exception was a 5-2 victory against the Strikers.
Fort Lauderdale at a glance: The Strikers (6-4-5) boast the league's top goal scorer in Stefano Pinho. Last week he tallied his second hat trick this season, running his goals total to 15. For his performance, Pinho was named the NASL Player of the Week. Fort Lauderdale is a high-pressure, high-scoring team. The Strikers have scored six goals in their past two matches, one a 4-2 victory over San Antonio last Saturday.
DAVID LA VAQUE
