Minnesota United Keeps Rolling With Shutout Win Over Jacksonville Armada

Photo credit: Minnesota United

Minnesota United used a pair of first-half goals to defeat the visiting Jacksonville Armada FC, 2-0, before 8,861 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., on Saturday night. The victory sees the Loons take over first place, provisionally, in the Spring Season standings. Minnesota and Carolina are tied on 13 points, but the Loons have a superior goal differential, the first tiebreaker. Week 7 action concludes Sunday when FC Edmonton hosts the New York Cosmos, who could regain the top spot with a victory.

A turnover in the Jacksonville end led to a Minnesota (4-1-1, 13)  goal in the 16th minute. Kevin Venegas picked up the ball and played a 1-2 with Christian Ramirez before curling a sensational left-footed shot into the far upper corner of the goal past Jacksonville (1-1-4, 4) goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. It was the first goal of the year for Venegas.

Stefano Pinho, last year’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner with Fort Lauderdale, doubled the Loons’ lead and scored his first goal for his new club a few minutes before the half-hour mark.

Jacksonville extended its road winless streak to 17 games, spanning its first and now second season in the NASL.

For more details on the match, head over to mnunited.com and armadafc.com.