Christian Ramirez Double Powers Minnesota To Victory

Photo credit: Minnesota United

Minnesota United won its first game in more than a month and moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Combined Standings as Christian Ramirez scored two goals in a 3-0 victory over FC Edmonton at NSC Stadium on Saturday night.

FC Edmonton (9W-6D-5L, 33 points Fall; 14-8-8, 50 Combined) broke on top with a goal in the 16th minute.  Minnesota (6-7-7, 25 Fall; 11-8-11, 41 Combined) goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock couldn’t cover a skidding free kick and Albert Watson pounced to put the rebound into the back of the net.

Christian Ramirez tied the score and added to his league-leading goal total with a one-time blast in the 23rd minute. J.C. Banks picked up an assist for a nifty flick that freed Ramirez for the open shot. Ramirez scored his 18th of the year at the tail end of a beautiful counterattack. Kevin Venegas launched a long diagonal cross that Ibson, on the left, one-timed into the path of Ramirez for a quick shot.

The Loons scored an insurance goal in the 85th minute. Ben Speas struck a perfect cross to the near post that Stefano Pinho headed past Tyson Farago.

For the second game in a row, Eddies coach Colin Miller started Farago in goal in place of the league’s top 'keeper Matt VanOekel, choosing to give his No. 1 a rest on the team’s two-game road trip. The Eddies lost their second game in the row for the first time since April.

For more information on the game, head over to mnunitedfc.com and fcedmonton.com.