Minnesota Breaks Three Game Losing Streak with a 0-0 Draw with Miami FC Blues

Published on May 23, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - The Thunder earn a point in a scoreless draw with Miami. Both teams had many heartbreaking misses. Shots sailing just wide, keepers fully stretched, but not a goal to be had. Geoffrey Myers, who had not started a game all year, led the Minnesota offense. He had several shots barely miss including a breakaway. Minnesota round up their home stand on Sunday May 31 at 5:05 pm. The game will be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

In the 12th minute, Minnesota saw their first chance for a goal. Tarley was coming up with middle with the ball and saw Dyachenko open near the sideline. Dyachenko received the ball and sent a cross to Sanchez. He accepted the pass but his shot went just over the goal due to Hanning's hand on the ball.

In the 17th minute, both Myers and Olum were robbed of a goal. Olum maneuvered around the defense and ripped a shot into the gut of Hanning. Myers collected the rebound and tried to chip a shot over Miami's keeper. His ball nicked the crossbar and was cleared by the defense.

Sanchez had an unexpected shot on goal in the 21st minute. He retrieved a ball that was cleared away by Miami's defense and put the ball back into contention. His ball turned out to be an arbitrary shot. Hanning was not expected this and could not hold onto the ball. Minnesota was not around to put continue the peppering and the game remained scoreless.

Things heated up in the 24th minute. Minnesota's Bass was pushed by Miami and both teams crowded around like a school yard fight. No cards were given but the Thunder was granted a free kick. Sanchez took it and went for it all. He curled a shot around the wall of Miami defenders. The ball bounced a couple yards before the keeper and it with the help of Hanning the ball bounced just over the crossbar.

The 39th minute saw the first realistic chance for the Blues. They took a free kick and sent it into Platter. He could not hold onto the ball and the rebound went into the mass of players. Just seconds later, Platter had to stop another shot on goal. This kept the game tied at zero.

Myers nearly put a ball in the net in the stoppage time of the first half. He took a pass behind the defenders with only the keeper in his way. Myers was all by himself looking for the first goal of the game. His try was low but Hanning reacted in time to keep the game even.

Both sides went into the locker room for the half scoreless and eager to strike. The edge in the first half went to Minnesota. The majority of the game was played in the Blues' half of the field and Hanning had to stop more balls than Platter.

The second half started out in more of a strategic manner. It took Miami until the 58th minute to get their first real chance of the half. The ball was rifled from close range and Platter tried to stop it with his hands. The ball ricocheted off his hands and smacked him in the face. Platter sacrificing his body kept the Blues from scoring.

In the 66th minute, Minnesota almost scored the first goal of the game. Sanchez was cruising down the left side of the field when he centered the ball. It was a beautiful pass that went behind several defenders. Myers was there to try and put the ball in the back of the net. But before he could, Miami's defense flicked the ball out of play.

Miami had a near miss of their own in the 68th minute. Traynor were trotting along left side of the field with no Minnesota defense to stop him. He crossed the ball for a one timer to Marcina. Minnesota's Arango was there to head away the ball.

Myers had the best chance for Minnesota in the 84th minute. Sanchez flicked him the ball with his heel and sent him off to the races. Myers was all alone sprinting down the right side of the field. He sent a laser of a shot to the near side of the goal but the ball sailed just wide.

Miami forward Edozien gave the Blues another chance for the go ahead goal in the 88th minute. He accepted a pass in the center of the box and blasted a shot. Fortunately for Platter, the ball sailed over the goal.

The Thunder ended this game in a scoreless draw but the silver lining is the team earns a point. Minnesota finishes out their first home stretch facing off with the Puerto Rico Islanders Sunday May 31 at 5:05 pm.

"I thought the game was very very positive. I thought we played well. We created 5 chances," said Kevin Friedland Minnesota Defender/Midfielder. "It is unlucky we didn't score five I think it's a positive step for us and we continue to next game."

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USL First Division Stories from May 23, 2009


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