Blaine, Minnesota -- After a 4-2 loss to Mexican side Club Leon, Minnesota United FC was in desperate need of a good start to the fall season. They got their spark from forward Christain Ramirez, who netted his first career hat trick to lead the Loons to a 5-1 rout of the Carolina Railhawks on Saturday night.

Ramirez nets two during the first half, Pinho adds one before halftime

Ramirez scored his first goal of the match in the 20th minute when he took a pass from J.C. Banks and put it in the back of the net to give Minnesota the early 1-0 lead. He scored again just a few minutes later when he stole the ball from a Carolina defender and put it past the goaltender to put United up 2-0.

Stefan Pinho scored a goal just before halftime. He took a pass from Ramirez and put it in the back of the net to put United up 3-0 heading into the halftime break.

United strikes immediately in the second half

The Loons wasted no time in the second half. In the first minute of play, they received a corner kick that Tiago Calvano converted into a goal to put them up 4-0. Carolina had an opportunity a few minutes later, as Austin Da Luz took a shot, but it went wide of the net, resulting in a goal kick for United.

A look at the 7,909 fans at the match. (Minnesota Untied FC)
 

Jeb Brovsky received a yellow card in the 58th minute after a rough tackle, then received a second one ten minutes later, and was ejected. Despite playing from that point on with just ten players, the Loons maintained the pace, as Ramirez scored his third goal in the 75th minute to make it 5-0.

The Railhawks did get a late goal, with Matt Watson finding the back of the net during stoppage time to cut the lead to 5-1, but it was too little too late, as the Loons were able to close out the match and secure their first victory of the fall season.

United now turns their attention to Indy Eleven, who they play next Saturday night in Indianapolis. 

Head Coach Carl Craig comments after the match

Indy is a tough place to play,” United head coach Carl Craig said after the match. “Their whole stadium is set up to be disruptive, and combine that with the weather and the fans, and it’s an extremely difficult place to play.”

I reminded them that we were not the best team in the league, we finished the spring season in fourth place, and if we had any aspirations of being the best team, then we’ve actually gotta do it, and that’s when it started. I don’t know if the strength of the opponents that we faced in exhibition had anything to do with it, but I think it was tremendous.”

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About the author
Stevie Larson
NASCAR Editor, Minnesota sports fan. Contact: [email protected]