By EVAN REAM
Forward Miguel Ibarra grabbed headlines Monday, but it was forward Christian Ramirez whose late goal led the way for the Minnesota United Sunday.
The Minnesota United forward scored a one-touch goal – his club-record 16th of the season off a cross from reported USMNT call-up Ibarra in the 89th minute to give Minnesota United all three points in a 3-2 victory over Ottawa Fury FC Sunday.
The Fury came into the game in good form, garnering 10 points in their previous five games. Many thought that that form would continue against the league-leaders as former Columbus Crew and Vancouver Whitecaps forward Tommy Heinemann converted from the spot to give the home side a lead in just the 16th minute of the game.
Minnesota United then took the lead through strikes from Ibarra and Daniel Mendes before ceding a second half goal to Richie Ryan, setting up Ramirez’s dramatic winner.
Here’s a look back at the rest of the action from Week 13:
INDY ELEVEN CONTINUE HOME WOES IN LOSS TO RAILHAWKS
It was business as usual for Indy Eleven as the expansion franchise again failed to record their first-ever home victory.
Fresh off a confidence-boosting victory over the New York Cosmos in which they put five goals past the defending Soccer Bowl champions, the Carolina RailHawks patched things up on the defensive side of the ball to record a 1-0 away victory.
Nazmi Albadawi’s cool 53rd minute finish was enough to see the visitors send another sellout crowd of 10,285 home disappointed.
SCORPIONS PICK UP VITAL WIN AT STRUGGLING SILVERBACKS
Away teams were two for two Saturday as the San Antonio Scorpions, who had lost three of their past four games, got back on track with a 1-0 victory at the Atlanta Silverbacks.
The result, which was decided by a second-half strike from Cesar Elizondo, made it all but certain that the Sliverbacks would miss the playoffs one year after finishing as the runners-up in the league.
The Scorpions still has an outside shot at the No. 1 seed heading into The Championship, but must make up a five point differential in their final five games of the season to unseat Minnesota United.
COSMOS SPLIT POINTS IN EDMONTON
Danny Szetela’s 51st minute header wasn’t enough to propel the New York Cosmos past hosts DC Edmonton as Tomi Ameobi’s scrappy finished split the points between the two sides north of the border.
Sitting six points out of the final playoff spot, the result wasn’t what the Eddies needed as they have just five games left to make up essentially a two point deficit, while the Cosmos are nearly certain of playing postseason soccer.
FLORIDA DERBY POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
Perhaps the most anticipated match of the weekend, the derby between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, was postponed due to “ongoing weather concerns and deteriorating field conditions.”
The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg.
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What did you think of this week’s NASL results? Impressed with Minnesota United’s victory? Do you see the Scorpions making a late run into the playoffs?
Share your thoughts below.