After struggling to find their footing in Superior a week ago, FC Minneapolis looked every inch ready to face Granite City tonight and they proved it by putting up strong contests, and fighting from the very 1st second to the 96th minute of the evening.
Unlike a few of the earlier games where the team got easily carried away, this time they looked very composed with the defense doing an amazing job stopping attacks, and exhibiting a high degree of concentration. The fullbacks were quite firm and maintained very solid positions on either flank.
Another noteworthy performance was from Kevin Quenca who provided solid leadership from in-between the posts as a goalkeeper organizing the defense, giving continuous instructions, and ensuring that the team builds from the back which were his basic instructions.
The forwards were brutal, and according to David Oluwalaanu the Club’s head coach, they were able to win a greater percentage of most aerial balls and most of the one-on-one challenges. The structure and communication between Higor, Diego, and Mzizi were very spot on. They seemed to understand their role and movements better which is an improvement from the previous game.
The midfielders were also at another level. In fact, one of the solid mids we have played so far in terms of staying compact and winning the ball. Luis was a beast throughout the match going back and forth as a holding mid and supporting the core defense. Joseph also did well dropping quickly to the center arch to fight for the ball. Sendi was supporting the attack brilliantly, causing so much pressure for the opponents and making it look like we have five attackers, and each time we lost possession he would return with the same level of energy to the midfield and play more as a box-to-box player.
Overall it was a great performance, but the team needs to work more on finishing and converting those chances mainly the forwards. The midfields did a good job making those final passes but the forwards were not finishing enough.
FC Minneapolis will be returning to Minneapolis to face Maplebrook next weekend at the Park Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
