Every Minnesota United FC player looks forward to games against MLS teams. They all want to prove they belong at a higher level, and playing against those teams offers the best opportunity they’ll get.

The Des Moines Menace, United’s opponent tomorrow night in the first round of the US Open Cup, is two levels below Minnesota. It’s a team made up of amateur college players, all of whom are dreaming of a future in the pros, and so their hunger to beat United is roughly equivalent to the Minnesota players’ desire to beat an MLS team.

Any Open Cup game is a big game, but for the Menace, it’s even bigger. In order to find out more about the team, I emailed Chris Cuellar, a Des Moines Register sports journalist. He was nice enough to answer a few questions.

1. A lot of NASL players really get up for games against MLS teams, in the Open Cup or otherwise, because it’s a chance to show they belong at the top level. Is the same true for the Menace, playing against a pro team?

Absolutely. The franchise takes plenty of pride in its four straight Open Cup appearances, and the professional club matchup is even more significant as this season’s Menace has a record number of NCAA Division I players. Opportunities to show they deserve a job after college don’t get much better.

2. Who are the players to watch for Des Moines – the guys that can really turn the tide in a cup game like this?

The offense has yet to really take off, but Jamaican strikers Jimmy Tulloch and Nico Wright are strong, traditional targets that are capable of breaking through at any time. Left back Albert Edward takes plenty of risks coming forward because he’s got speed that has blistered Des Moines’ amateur opponents.

3. How big are the Menace in Des Moines – well-known, or a minor attraction?

A well-known brand in a small soccer community. The same contingent of fans support the team regardless of form, but a lack of history and top-level success in Des Moines keep the Menace a niche attraction.

4. How does the Menace recruit their squad each year? Do they tend to come back year after year in college, or does the roster begin from scratch?

A new general manager and coach meant greater turnover this year and just eight returning players. Recruiting reaches all levels of college soccer and some players that have MLS combine or practice squad experience and can maintain amateur status. It’s quite an undertaking each season, with divisional opponents located in Canada adding to all the paperwork.

5. Like United, Des Moines has a large number of games in a short amount of time. How does the team prioritize – does the league or the cup come first?

Unprecedented depth has allowed coach Mike Jeffries to rotate the squad some, with the cup taking priority at this point in the season. United presents a huge opportunity and an upset would potentially mean one of the biggest games in franchise history. Management will deal with a bland 1-0 win on Saturday if the team is upset-ready on Tuesday.

 

My thanks to Chris for answering my questions.

Dropping two points after Carolina scored a late goal was annoying for Minnesota United. Losing last week to Fort Lauderdale, the last-place team in the league, was a reality check for the team. But after United lost 3-2 against Tampa Bay, the team’s frustration was evident.

For most of the game, Minnesota was in control. After the Rowdies took a 1-0 lead just seconds before halftime, their coach, Ricky Hill, told the TV broadcast, “That’s the first bit of quality play we’ve had in the first 45 minutes.” United keeper Daryl Sattler came off his line to clear a cross, but his punch went straight out to Tampa midfielder Shane Hill, who swung the ball back in towards the goal. Two sliding Minnesota defenders couldn’t get a foot on it, and it was 1-0 Rowdies.

“I came out to punch it, I felt like I got distance on it, but as the goalkeeper you want to get that ball wide,” said Sattler. “He tucked it in nice. The guys come back just like they’re supposed to when I come out for a cross, and they just couldn’t keep it out. I’d like to get that one back so I could punch it wide. I came, I won it, it just didn’t land where we wanted it, and he capitalized. That’s one personally I’d like back.”

United’s first goal, meanwhile, was a thing of beauty. Simone Bracalello – who has been so, so good this year – found some space on the left-hand side. He ran into two backtracking defenders, so he spun to hold the ball up for a second, then chipped the ball past both defenders, right into the path of Michael Reed.

It was Reed’s first goal as a pro. He said, “Simone made that unselfish pass and led me through, and I looked over my shoulder and I saw one of their center backs starting to close, and their keeper was at the near post, so I just went for a sliding shot, and it went in.”

Following the goal, though, it was like the Minnesota defense switched off. The ball fell right outside the penalty area, and defender Justin Davis didn’t close on the ball – and before the ball got to him, Luke Mulholland nipped in for Tampa Bay.

Said Rowdies coach Ricky Hill, “When the ball broke to him and he intercepted it I think in behind the left back, and when it bounced up, I thought, yeah, he’s going to try to volley that, because he does it in training every day. I’m not surprised. In the game, when you have to execute, Luke is magnificent. He’s our top scorer, I don’t know how many he’s got, three or four, but his workrate, his effort, his exuberance that he brings every day to the club is vital for us.”

Once again, though, Bracalello brought Minnesota back, this time ten minutes later. Pablo Campos won a header, and the ball fell in amidst two Rowdies defenders. Bracalello stuck a foot in, the ball popped out behind both, and suddenly the Italian was away on goal by himself, scoring to equalize for Minnesota for a second time.

He’s been Minnesota’s best offensive player this year – in part, because he’s playing as a winger, something that dates back to last year’s playoffs, a change he reminded me of after the game. “Before I was a forward, more like Pablo,” he said. “Now I am starting from the back and I can see the play. I don’t have my back to the goal. That’s completely different for me.”

“That position is mine,” he said, referring to the wing. “I was feeling good [playing up front], but it’s not my position.”

For that final half-hour, I was expecting a MInnesota goal any minute. They went close several times – even center back Cristiano Dias had three shots at goal – but then, just as the clock got close to the 90-minute mark, Keith Savage had the ball in the back of the net for Tampa Bay.

I asked defender Kevin Friedland to walk me through the goal. “They played the ball wide – I actually thought the guy was offside,” he said. “I was tracking with, I think it was [Rowdies forward Carl] Cort, into the box. There was service for the man that was behind me, I just tried to get a foot on it – and I got a foot on it and set it right up and Savage came in and smashed it.”

It was a wild game, but in the end, most of the Minnesota players just looked like they wanted to punch things. Said Hill, who was of course delighted, said, “I’m happy to get all three points, but Minnesota can feel aggrieved to not get anything from the game.”

Walking wounded

Aaron Pitchkolan left the game in the first half after a challenge in the penalty area. Postgame, he was walking as gingerly as possible. Though he said he’d just twisted his ankle, he looks like he’ll have a tough time coming back any time soon.

I also saw defender Kyle Altman – he was wearing a pretty awesome neon pair of sunglasses, presumably to protect his eyes from the Metrodome light following his concussion. Local soccer expert Brian Quarstad reminded me after the game that Altman had another concussion early this spring, while he was trying out with DC United.

Altman is going to med school this summer. He needs his brain uninjured. Here’s hoping he gets well.

Friedland back in the swing of things

With Altman out, Friedland – an assistant coach in whatever spare time he can manage – came back into the starting lineup – and after 90 minutes, he looked completely exhausted. “I’m tired,” he said. “It’s been awhile.”

I asked if it was tough making the transition from coaching to playing, but he brushed that aside. “I’m a player when I need to be. I’m a player every day. I might not play as much as I used to, but I think when I’m called upon I have to perform just like everybody else does. We’re in a situation now where I’m needed, and I played. Can’t say I was great, but I thought I was solid, and unfortunately we didn’t win.”

A busy schedule

There’s no rest for Minnesota, who plays the Des Moines Menace on Tuesday, then travels to Tampa Bay on Saturday for an immediate rematch. I asked United coach Manny Lagos if it’d be good to get right back on the field, but he said, “We’re having some injury issues and we’re light in a lot of areas on the field. I think from a team standpoint I think the guys want to get back on the field so that we’re better than what we’ve shown, certainly. From a mental and physical standpoint, we’ll see.”

Sattler is more excited. “We’ve got work to do and we’re excited to play Tuesday and then get back to Tampa again, it’s going to be revenge,” he said. “Tampa and Minnesota, it’s a rivalry. We may be wearing a new badge, but it’s the same game. That’s the beauty of this game. There’s ups and downs – we’re in a slump and we need to get out of it.”

Another quick injury update for Minnesota United FC – and this one is pretty bad news. I just talked to head coach Manny Lagos, who told me that defender and captain Kyle Altman suffered a concussion in training on Tuesday, and will not play today.

Lagos said that, since Tuesday, Altman’s symptoms have gotten “worse, not better,” which has to throw his status into doubt for the forseeable future. Minnesota sports fans have seen a number of local players, like Twins first baseman Justin Morneau and Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard, be affected by concussions for years, not days or weeks.

With the potential for four games in the next week and a half, the injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Minnesota. Altman’s first-team partner, Connor Tobin, remains out with an ankle injury, leaving United without either of its first-choice center backs.

Today, veteran defender Kevin Friedland will come into the side alongside Cristiano Dias, who has filled in for Tobin over the past two weeks. Dias joined Minnesota in 2011, so it’s not the first time the two have ever played together – but it certainly hasn’t been a regular occurence. And with so many games upcoming, now is not the time for United to have a shaky partnership at the back.

There’s no word on who will captain the team, with Altman out. In the preseason, both Friedland and defender Brian Kallman assumed that role, and it’s a fairly safe bet that one of them will do so today.

If you haven’t seen it already, check out David La Vaque’s game preview story today. It’s got some good quotes from Justin Davis and Aaron Pitchkolan about the next eleven days of United’s season, the busiest stretch they’ll have all year.

Today, Minnesota takes on Tampa Bay at the Dome. Tuesday, they’ll play the Des Moines Menace in the US Open Cup, at Robbie Stadium. Saturday, they play Tampa Bay again, this time on the road. The following Tuesday, if they beat Des Moines, they travel to play Sporting Kansas City of MLS.

That’s four potential games in eleven days. In past seasons, with a 28-game league season, United might have sent out a less-than-full-strength side for one or both league games, in the hopes of using the first team for the Open Cup games. But this year, with the twelve-game spring season, the team can’t afford the risk of league losses.

“We’ve got the US Open Cup coming up. The Open Cup’s important, now the first season is important, where do you put your chips?” said defender / assistant coach Kevin Friedland. “I don’t think you can afford to not put them in both baskets. Last year during the Open Cup, we basically sent the second team out for two games. We got two results, we got two 0-0 away draws, which is a good result – especially given that it was essentially our second set of guys. I don’t know how we’re going to handle that coming up.”

It’ll be interesting to see what the team sheets look like over the next two weeks. I’d be surprised if United didn’t play a full-strength side today, given that they’ve had a full week of practice at home – but I suspect there will be a lot of rotation for the three that follow.

Injury report

United has listed three players as “questionable” on their injury report. Center back Connor Tobin is still dealing with the ankle injury that has kept him out of the past two games; Kentaro Takada, who missed last week in Fort Lauderdale, is still affected by his ankle injury, too. Max Griffin is also listed as questionable with the recurring hamstring problem that has limited him to just one game this season.

Midfielder Bryan Arguez, however, finally made his season debut in Fort Lauderdale, coming on for the second half in United’s 2-1 loss to the Strikers. He looked effective, and I would not be too surprised to see him get an increasing number of minutes over the next stretch of games.

More on the Open Cup

I’m really getting into the Open Cup spirit – so much so that I penned a column for the RandBall blog about how it needs to be expanded to at least one other sport. Bruce McGuire of du Nord also put together a quick history of Minnesota’s appearances in the tournament, a fascinating trip down memory lane.

When last we saw the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Twin Cities, Minnesota was beating them 2-0 in the first leg of the NASL championship series. The next week, though, the Rowdies turned around the two-goal deficit, winning 3-1 and then prevailing on penalties to snatch the title from Minnesota.

Now, the two teams are among a host of title contenders for the spring season, with both teams tied for second place, three points behind Carolina. Saturday, Tampa Bay comes to Minnesota; the following Saturday, United makes the return trip.

To help educate us about the Rowdies, I talked to Mike Manganello, who covers the Rowdies for the Tampa Tribune, and who can be found on Twitter at @MikeManganello. He was nice enough to answer a few questions.

1. Did the NASL title help Tampa, in terms of attendance and popularity and coverage locally?

I’m not sure the NASL title helped the Rowdies. Through three home games this year, Tampa Bay’s average attendance is 3,740, just above last year’s average attendance of 3,116. Their home form has been awful — two points from three games — but if the Rowdies can really get rolling at home, attendance should go up. I think more people locally know of the Rowdies than last year, but they haven’t necessarily started coming to games yet.

2. The Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale talk up their rivalry – how much of that is an honest rivalry between the teams, and how much is the two clubs just trying to manufacture a “derby”?

I think the Tampa Bay-Fort Lauderdale rivalry is more for the hardcore fans than the casual fans or organizations. Fans of both teams certainly get up for those games and generally despise the other city, but I’m not sure the players themselves really care. That may change though, considering Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov reportedly ruptured Strikers goalkeeper Cody Laurendi’s spleen in a collision last month. Of course, that left Fort Lauderdale a goalkeeper short, so they went and got Rowdies legend Tampa Bay fan-favorite Jeff Attinella on loan from Real Salt Lake. The Strikers’ visit on July 4th could be … explosive.

You could make a case that the players consider Minnesota a bigger rival than Fort Lauderdale, given their playoff history.

3. Is midfielder Luke Mulholland the league’s best player?

I’m not sure Luke Mulholland is the NASL’s best player yet, but could walk into the starting eleven for any team in the league and he’s probably the most exciting player to watch. His footwork is clinical, his creativity is unparalleled and he has amazing touch with the ball. Sometimes he’s not quite quick enough to get back when an attack breaks down, but he eventually gets there. His free kicks are something to watch too. It was ultimately in a loss, but his first half against Atlanta was special. He got an assist with a knockdown header, scored from open play and then score from a free kick in the span of 35 minutes.

4. Other than Mulholland, who should Minnesota fans keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks?

If you want to see good players, watch the Rowdies’ wide midfielders. Evans Frimpong on the left and Raphael Cox are both undersized and play with that extra bit of grit because of it. Both work hard on both ends of the field and never stop running. They’re a very fun pair to watch.

For pure entertainment, watch the disaster that has been Rowdies goalkeepers. After opening the year with two clean sheets, Andrew Fontein was quickly benched after allowing twice being caught way off his line in an ugly 4-3 home loss to Atlanta. His replacement, Diego Restrepo, is very adventurous, often chasing the ball outside the box and relying on goal-line clearances from his defenders. It’s a position of real concern for Tampa Bay.

5. Much has been made about Orlando’s MLS ambitions. Is Tampa looking the same way – and if so, would the league ever go back there, after the folding of the Mutiny in 2001?

I don’t think Tampa is nearly as concerned with getting into MLS as Orlando is. Orlando City already has the committed ownership group with the financial power to make the jump, support from the city and stadium plans in place if MLS gives the go-ahead. The Rowdies are still struggling to get local support to begin planning a stadium and I think new investors would have to be brought aboard for the Rowdies to seriously consider trying to get into MLS. If Orlando City’s setup was in Tampa, MLS wouldn’t hesitate to bring them in. Tampa is actually a much larger media market than Orlando and the biggest in Florida, bigger even than Miami. For now though, Orlando and Miami seem to be way ahead of Tampa in the MLS arms race and this state won’t ever have three teams.

The winter of 2013 will go down in history as the Winter That Wouldn’t End – and now, its lingering effects are causing problems for outdoor soccer, even in mid-May.

Minnesota United FC plays its first game in the US Open Cup next Tuesday, and had planned to play at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The field at the NSC stadium, however, is in terrible shape after the winter – and the NSC has recommended that United stay off it, lest it be damaged for the remainder of the year.

No location for next Tuesday’s game has been finalized, though team sources say that it is very likely that the game will be played at the University of Minnesota’s Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, in Falcon Heights near the U of M St. Paul Campus.

If United wins, they would have a chance of hosting a Major League Soccer team the following Tuesday, May 28. If they do host that game, it would be played at the Metrodome.

If Minnesota also wins that game, they would again have a chance to host the following game, which would not take place until June 12.

The team still needs to finalize stadium plans, and clear the venue change with US Soccer, which administers the US Open Cup.

Robbie Stadium has seating for only 1,000 spectators, as well as standing-room-only areas at the top of the stands and around the field. Through three games at the Metrodome – albeit for NASL games, and on Saturdays – United has averaged 5,238 fans per game.