7 P.M. VS. OTTAWA • NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER, BLAINE • CH. 45
Preview: After dropping its fall opener 3-1 at Carolina, shorthanded United looks to get back on track in its first of three home matches over the next eight days.
United FC at a glance: Minnesota controlled possession for 58 percent of the game against Carolina and had a man advantage for the final 30 minutes. But United gave up two goals within two minutes and ended its fall-season opener with a loss. With United missing four of its regular midfielders from the spring (two suffered injuries; two left the team), Kevin Venegas got a start and set up the team's lone goal on a cross to David Mendes. After the Ottawa game, Minnesota hosts Jacksonville on Wednesday before playing an international friendly against Club Leon on July 18.
Ottawa at a glance: The Fury arrives in Blaine fresh off a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville last week in its fall opener. The shutout was the team's sixth straight. The Fury has not given up a goal in 616 consecutive minutes, a North American Soccer League record. Ottawa also received a boost in its last match from captain Richie Ryan, who returned from injury. After playing just 25 minutes in the spring, Ryan set up Ottawa's first goal off a corner kick. Ottawa and Minnesota are tied for fourth in the NASL combined (spring and fall) standings with 14 points.
BRYCE EVANS
