Last Thunder home appearance of the season Friday in Northfield

Published on August 23, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


St. Paul, Minn. (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)- The Minnesota Thunder will be making its last home appearance of the season on Friday, August 25 in an exhibition match at 7 p.m. at Northfield High School, unless the Thunder makes the playoffs.

The Thunder will be playing Latino Select, an all-star team composed of players from leagues in Faribault, Farmington and Northfield. Thunder legend and former MLS and U.S. National Team player Manny Lagos will be either coaching or playing in the match. All exhibition tickets are $10.

For ticket information, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.

Thunder 2006 Supporters Scarves are also now on clearance for $10, and can be ordered on www.mnthunder.com.

Thunder Look For More Wins at Seattle and Vancouver

The Thunder will try to extend their four-game winning streak this weekend with two league road games. On Friday, August 25 the Thunder will face the Seattle Sounders at 9 p.m. at Qwest Field. Minnesota will then play the Vancouver Whitecaps at 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 at Swangard Stadium.

Fans can listen to either game live by visiting www.uslfans.com.

About the Thunder

Minnesota (7-10-5, 26 points) is currently in 11th place in the USL First Division, but a four-game winning streak has made the Thunder one of the hottest teams in the league. Last Sunday, the Thunder beat the Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 at James Griffin Stadium. Forward Nathan Knox had a goal and an assist, and was rewarded by being named to this week's USL First Division Team of the Week. Terry Alvino and Leo Gibson scored the other goals for the Thunder. Knox (11 points), Gibson (11 points) and Alvino (9 points) have led Minnesota's balanced attack this season, where five players have at least three goals. Thunder goalie Joe Warren continued his strong play against the Islanders, recording five saves to get the win. Warren and the Thunder defense has allowed just one goal in the last four games.

About the Sounders

Seattle (9-11-4, 31 points) is currently in sixth place and clinging to the league's final playoff spot. Puerto Rico (30 points), Miami (29 points), and Virginia Beach (29 points) are all one win away from overtaking the Sounders. Seattle has won two straight games: 5-1 over the Virginia Beach Mariners on August 11 and 2-0 over the Vancouver Whitecaps on August 19. The Sounders have been tough at home this season, with a 7-2-2 record at Qwest Field. Forward Cam Weaver is making his case for league MVP, with 18 goals and two assists for 38 points to lead the USL First Division. Weaver is well-ahead of Romario of Miami FC, who is in second place with 28 points. Midfielder Andrew Gregor's five assists rank second in the league.

About the Whitecaps

Vancouver (10-6-8, 38 points) is tied with the Charleston Battery for second place in the league. The Whitecaps have lost just once at home this season, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the first-place Montreal Impact on July 16. Vancouver has won three of its last four games, but most recently was defeated 2-0 by Seattle last Saturday. Forward Joey Gjertsen leads the team with nine goals and six assists for 24 points, which puts him in third place in the league point totals. Goalkeeper Tony Caig has a goals against average of 1.052 in 19 games with six shutouts.

Season Series

The Thunder's season series with both Seattle and Vancouver will end this weekend. The Thunder have already played both teams three times this season. Minnesota beat Seattle 4-0 at home in its season opener on April 23. The two teams tied 1-1 on May 13 in Seattle, and 2-2 on June 24 in Minnesota.

The Thunder have not defeated the Whitecaps so far this season. Vancouver defeated the Thunder 3-0 at Swangard Stadium on May 14 and 2-1 on July 14 in Minnesota. The two teams also tied 1-1 on June 3 in Minnesota.

Up Next

After this weekend, the Thunder will have four regular season league games remaining to try and make a push for the playoffs. Next weekend, the Thunder will travel to take on Miami FC on Friday, September 1 at 7 p.m. The game will be followed with a trip to Puerto Rico to play the Islanders on Sunday, September 3 at 4 p.m. at Juan Ramon Stadium.

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USL First Division Stories from August 23, 2006


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