Even with late evening showers, the City Lions could not be stopped!
Decorated with blue and white, the FC Minneapolis starting eleven gently walked down the isle to the green of Einer Anderson Stadium with a confidence that only defending champions could display.
The evening started with a heavenly performance from the Music Association of Minnetonka Children’s Choir who sung the National Anthem before both teams could take to their sides to prepare for Business.
FC Minneapolis made some changes in their formation from their famous 4-3-3 to the classic 4-4-2 where Peter Paye covered the left flank while Ian Sendi took the the far right.
There were also other noticeable changes in the back line with Varney Cole introducing Victor Corral in the right and AJ Hassan Jillo, the club’s most recent signing in the left back. Eliseo Hernandez started his first game as the City Lions’ keeper and the passionate Mexican did wonders.
Upfront Abunyanyi Lual paired up with his fellow countryman Ochan Ochogi and the two seemingly worked out as one of the club’s best combinations.
Both Teams played an attacking game. FC Minneapolis spent more time especially in the first quarter of the game working the Granite City Keeper and this was to be their norm almost to the blowing of the final whistle.
In the 9th minute of the game, Solomon Ikechi picked out Ian Sendi with a well leveled through ball who paced through the Granite City defense line shooting from the eighteen yards mark only to be denied by the visitor’s keeper pushing the wide man’s efforts to the corner; but the City Lions could not stop at that for Abunyanyi Lual was able to find Ochan Ochogi with a powered cross who didn’t hesitate to find the back of the net with a classic header, giving him his first American Premier League goal.
FC Minneapolis was able to double their lead at the 30th minute when Ochogi again scored a stunner with his amazing right foot shot to set the crowd at Einer Anderson roaring like the Lions they are.
Granite City was able to find a goal before the first half whistle to make it 2-1 by halftime.
Varney Cole made some changes bringing Darius Sango for Peter Paye, and Hichem Addoun for Alexis Rivera in the 70th minute. The game was very much in the balance by the second quarter of the second half and FC Minneapolis had a chance to widen their lead when Sendi picked the ball from his half, dribbled through to the opponent’s side and found Abunyanyi with a well timed through ball but the the Sudanese Striker missed the opportunity to beat the keeper who punched it back falling on Sendi’s left foot whose shot was deflected to the corner.
Darius Sango having come in as a left winger tried cutting in to find the back of the net with his long range shots but he was unable to find the target. In the 90th minute, Manny Delalez came in for Ian Sendi and then Lawrence Kasey blew the final whistle.
FC Minneapolis stands 3rd in the American Premier League table behind Duluth FC and Minnesota Twinstars. It will be hosting FC Fargo on June 11th before playing the Twin Stars on June 19th again at Einer Anderson Stadium.
“This was a great evening! The Rocks gave us a great competition but I am glad the Lions won in the end” Said Varney Cole.
