Miguel Ibarra provides necessary kick against Fort Lauderdale

For a split second, Minnesota United FC midfielder Miguel Ibarra worried he had perpetuated his team's bad luck near the opposition's goal.

Dribbling deep into Fort Lauderdale territory, Ibarra momentarily lost the ball before deflecting it back into his path. Taking no further chances, he turned, fired and scored the eventual game-winning goal in Minnesota's 2-1 victory.

An announced crowd of 6,202 saw Minnesota extend its 11-match home unbeaten streak Saturday at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine.

With the victory, Minnesota snapped a three-match lull that produced just two points toward the fall season standings. Saturday's win, coupled with a San Antonio loss, moved the Loons within one point of first in the fall season standings. Minnesota already guaranteed itself a berth in November's playoffs by virtue of winning the spring season championship.

But Saturday's inspired effort was important for momentum. All week long, Ibarra and his teammates discussed pressuring Fort Lauderdale into mistakes. But the visiting Strikers went ahead to start.

Fort Lauderdale scored in the 34th minute and handed United just its second deficit at home this season. James Marcelin booted a cross and Pecka finished with a right-footed blast. The ball stayed low to the ground just inside the near post.

United drew even 4 minutes later. A Fort Lauderdale defender received a yellow card for fouling Ibarra and the play created a free kick. Kevin Venegas sent the ball toward a scrum in front of the Strikers' goal and it deflected in off Christian Ramirez's chest. The goal bumped Ramirez's league-leading total to 15.

But tied 1-1 at halftime, Minnesota's second half had to be better.

"We got tied up 1-1 and I was like, 'We're not going to lose this game. Not this time,' " Ibarra said. "We came out in the second half to win. We needed the three points."

Ibarra's goal, scored in the 54th minute, capped a night that saw he and Ramirez torment the Fort Lauderdale defense. Ibarra's speed and ability to break free forced two desperate Strikers defenders to foul. Both plays drew yellow cards. Ramirez, meanwhile, got whistled offside four times.