Loons among six teams in chase for final NASL playoff spot

Gauging Minnesota United FC's playoff chances is premature because too many games and corresponding standings points remain.

What is known: The Loons, tied with Tampa Bay and Rayo OKC with 38 points, hold the fourth and final North American Soccer League playoff spot based on the goal-differential tiebreaker. Three additional teams remain in contention. All six contenders have three games left in the fall season.

Bottom line: Minnesota must win its final three games, beginning with its match against FC Edmonton on Saturday at the National Sports center in Blaine, or risk getting passed on the home stretch.

"It's not last-chance saloon, but it's a crucial time," coach Carl Craig said.

Minnesota is not trending well. Since defeating Rayo OKC on Sept. 3, the Loons have four losses, two draws and zero victories. They have scored just five times during the slump.

Courage appears to be the team's latest remedy ingredient.

"We've got to be brave in front of the goal," Craig said. "We need the men to be men and to stand up and be counted."

Said defender Brent Kallman: "The attitude has been good and the effort is there. As a player, I can feel it from everybody. It's just a matter of taking our chances. That's not just on the forwards. If we're not distributing the ball correctly, it's going to be hard to get chances."

Listed as day-to-day with a left ankle sprain suffered at Tampa Bay on Oct. 5, striker Christian Ramirez hopes to be in the lineup Saturday.

Minnesota needs the scoring prowess of Ramirez, the NASL leader with 16 goals. He missed Saturday's match at Puerto Rico, ending a run of 92 consecutive appearances since joining the Loons in 2014.

Ramirez looked strong in training sessions this week and said he will play "if it's up to me."

"I told Carl that if Puerto Rico was the Soccer Bowl that I would have somehow found a way to play," Ramirez said.

FC Edmonton goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, Minnesota's former starter, presents a formidable task for his former team on Saturday.

Having a career year, VanOekel leads the league in shutouts (15) and goals-against average (0.57), and is tied for second with 92 saves.

"They haven't given up many goals, but they've given up chances, and he's been huge for them," Kallman said. "With a different goalkeeper, they might have given up another 10 goals or more.

"When he was with us, he was a little streaky at times, but you would see glimpses where he was really strong. And he's been incredible this year."

VanOekel played with the Thunder in 2008 and 2009, and for the Stars and United from 2010 to 2014.

He still holds the club record with 29 victories, and he still has a fondness for his former teammates. VanOekel came by Minnesota's hotel on the team's two trips to Edmonton this season.

"I was really close with him," Ramirez said. "He really welcomed me when I first got here, and it's awesome to see him progress the way he has."

Defender Damion Lowe is on the short list of 14 for the 2016 NASL Young Player of the Year Award, given annually to the league's most outstanding player age 23 or younger.

Minnesota United FC begins Major League Soccer play next season, and the first 11,842 season ticket holders who place deposits will be given seat selection priority at TCF Bank Stadium. The deadline to participate in seat selection is 5 p.m. Monday. There will be 18 MLS home matches at TCF Bank Stadium. The seat selection process begins in early November.