Minnesota's Postseason Chances Fading After Loss To Carolina

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan/Carolina RailHawks

The Carolina RailHawks did what they had to do in a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night, but Rayo OKC’s victory at Fort Lauderdale eliminated Carolina from the postseason race. Minnesota remains alive in the hunt for the No. 4 seed in The Championship.

A quick counterattack by Carolina (7W-5D-9L, 30 points Fall; 11-7-13, 40 Combined) led to Matt Fondy’s seventh goal of the year, in the 52nd minute. Brian Shriver’s perfectly weighted cross found Fondy at the far post for a tap in past Minnesota (6-7-8, 25 Fall; 11-8-12, 41 Combined) goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock. Nazmi Albadawi wasted a chance to put the RailHawks ahead by two goals when he sent a penalty kick over the crossbar in the 72nd minute.

The Loons came close to scoring the equalizer when Ben Speas’ shot from distance early in second-half stoppage time was pushed wide by Carolina goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre.

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