Preview: Minnesota (4-4-1) closes the North American Soccer League spring season against expansion Miami FC (1-4-4). A 1-0 loss last week at Rayo OKC knocked Minnesota, atop the spring season table three weeks ago, out of title contention. Saturday's match is about regaining confidence after a three-game slide. Injuries have hurt the Loons. "We know what it looks like when it's functioning correctly," coach Carl Craig said. "But you change one part of a system, then everything has to change and adjust. We've had to change two or three parts. It wasn't chaos, but it wasn't good enough."
Gameday preview: Miami at Minnesota United
June 11, 2016 at 5:41AM
Players to watch: Loons defender Kevin Venegas leads the NASL with four assists. Miami FC brought in Michael Lahoud and Richie Ryan during the spring, players capable of getting hot at any point during a match.
Numbers: Shut out in two of its three consecutive losses, Minnesota must get aggressive in the final third. "It's nice to connect on 100 passes, but if it's not doing anything, than what's the point?" defender Justin Davis said.
Injuries: Forward/midfielder Ben Speas, injured in Minnesota's most recent league victory May 14, is expected to play. He scored three goals before suffering a severe ankle sprain. Midfielder Bernardo Añor suffered a fractured ankle this week.
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Sophia Boman and Sophia Romine scored second-half goals as the Gophers advanced to the third round for only the third time in program history.
