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Minnesota Stars FC returns home for the first time in over a month to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at NSC Stadium, ending a grueling seven-game road trip. The Stars will welcome the chance to play at home having made trips to Iowa, Utah, and California for Open Cup games, and to Florida, Texas, and North Carolina for four league matches in recent weeks.

The big talking point is the Stars unbeaten streak coming to an end last week, the RailHawks putting Minnesota to the sword with a 5-1 thrashing. It was just the second defeat of the season in all competitions for the Stars, the only other loss coming from a 1-0 defeat to Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes  in the U.S. Open Cup.

With just one victory in their last six, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are struggling for form. The Rowdies defeated the Silverbacks 3-2 on May 19^th, but haven’t picked up three points since. The match in Minnesota is the third of a three game road trip for the Rowdies that included trips to Fort Lauderdale, and Puerto Rico, both ending in defeats for the Tampa side.

The Stars will hope to start their home stand with a win, while the Rowdies would like to get something out of their road trip before heading home to face the San Antonio Scorpions the following week.

Minnesota Stars FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday, June 16, 2012— 8:30 P.M. EDT

NSC Stadium

Blaine, MN

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Tied, 0-1-0, 1pt

2011 Series: Rowdies, 2-2-0, 8pts  

                                                Minnesota                      Tampa Bay

Head Coach                        Manny Lagos                  Ricky Hill

2012 Records                    3^rd: 4-5-1, 17pts             5^th: 3-3-5, 12pts

Last Five Games                W W D D L                       L W D L L

Goals Leader                     Amani Walker (3)            Daniel Antoniuk (4)

Assists Leader                 Amani Walker (3)             Mike Ambersley (2),

                                                                                          Shane Hill (2),

                                                                                          Keith Savage (2)

QUICK FACTS

Minnesota

• The Stars lost their nine-game unbeaten start to the season last weekend, losing 5-1 to the RailHawks.
• Forward Amani Walker leads the Stars in goals and assists, with three of each.
• Minnesota is unbeaten at home so far this season (2-1-0).

Tampa Bay

• No team has taken more shots than the Rowdies 135 attempted shots this season.
• Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has made 45 saves this season, more than any other ‘keeper.
• The Rowdies are the only team to have not had a player sent off this season.