Stars close home season Saturday against Atlanta

With a tough two-game roadtrip just around the corner, the NSC Minnesota Stars close their 2011 home season Saturday night at 7:30, looking to close out a season sweep of the Atlanta Silverbacks.

After a very difficult month, the Stars are currently clinging to the final playoff spot in the North American Soccer League standings. Minnesota has lost four straight matches and six of their last seven, dropping from third place in the league to sixth and into a fight for what seemed in early August like an inevitable postseason berth.

“We’ve been tested and haven’t done well in the last month, and it’s been disappointing,” head coach Manny Lagos said. “We’re certainly stressed in terms of how we’re playing—and frustrated—but the great thing about it is the sun comes up, and we have another chance to prove ourselves.”

Three points clear of the chasing Montreal Impact, the Stars can take comfort in needing to rely only on themselves to secure a postseason berth. A victory Saturday night would put must-win pressure on Montreal as the season enters its final two weeks.

A combination of injuries and the team’s struggles has prompted lineup shuffling as the Stars look to get on a roll to close out the season. The arrivals of forwards Luke Mulholland and Anthony Hamilton gave the Stars a more dynamic attack Tuesday night in a 2-1 home loss to FC Tampa Bay. Mulholland, the 2011 USL Pro Rookie of the Year, took five shots on the night and contributed an assist in his debut. Hamilton played 61 minutes on the wing, replacing Lucas Rodriguez midway through the first half.

Mulholland’s role in sparking the attack was magnified in the absence of leading scorer Simone Bracalello, who injured his ankle in training and will miss at least two weeks. The team is also still without Jeff Cosgriff, who’s recovering from a foot contusion, and Ely Allen, who suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in July and is not yet match fit. Brian Cvilikas has also played well recently, having made his first two starts of the season in the Stars’ last two matches, scoring a goal September 3 against FC Edmonton and having a breakaway well saved on Tuesday night.

With Allen nearing a return and the addition of Hamilton, as well as the return of Andy Lorei to gameday lineups in recent weeks, the Stars have options on the wing and a spot to be filled. The team ended a loan agreement with Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City Thursday for the services of Scott Lorenz, who made eight starts, primarily as a right midfielder. Amani Walker replaced Lorenz shortly before halftime Tuesday night and played well as the Stars showed a lot of energy and urgency in a solid second half performance.

“We wish Scotty the best, and we’re disappointed that his time here didn’t work out this year,” Lagos said. “This team has a lot of character and a lot of pieces in place to do well this year.”

Stars to host Minnesota Soccer History Night before game

Former players from more than 35 years of professional soccer history in Minnesota will take the field for an exhibition game before Saturday’s match as the Stars finish their season by celebration Minnesota Soccer History Night, presented by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and Bricks American Pub. Former members of the Minnesota Kicks, including the team’s all-time leading goalscorer Alan Willey, Minnesota Strikers and Minnesota Thunder will all take the field together for the free event. NSC Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 5:45 exhibition game before being cleared prior to the Stars’ match with Atlanta.