Minnesota Hosts Portland Timbers Friday

Published on July 22, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Wednesday, July 22, 2009) - C.S.D. Comunicaciones traveled all the way from Guatemala to play in an international friendly match but lost to the Minnesota Thunder 2-0. This was a friendly but a hard fought game on both sides of the ball. Marco Termenisi came out firing on all cylinders with an early goal and Minnesota did not let go of the lead for the duration of the match.

Marco Termenisi set the tone of the game quickly with a fourth minute goal. He intercepted a pass and found himself on a breakaway. As he came up to Comunicaciones goalkeeper, David Guerra, Termenisi flicked the ball past Guerra but still within his reach. Just before the ball went out of bounds Termenisi shot and found the back of the open net.

"It was the greatest feeling," said Minnesota forward Marco Termenisi. "Coming down the field and getting the time is a great feeling. But when you come out and put the work in to get a goal like that, it ten times better."

Comunicaciones nearly evened up the score in the 40th minute. Transito Montepeque had his back to the goal but managed to head a lob pass that just missed the goal to the left. Platter reacted slowly to the header because initially the ball did not pose much of a threat, but as the ball drew near to the goal Platter snapped into action. He was ready but his first reaction was correct as he watched the ball roll out of bounds.

The Thunder held onto their 1-0 lead in the first half and went into the locker room with the intention of keeping the Comunicaciones at nil.

Marco Termenisi wanted to make another quick goal in the 46th minute. He had the ball in a similar location as his first goal but this time he dished the ball off to Ricardo Sanchez. Sanchez accepted the ball and promptly took a shot but the ball missed high by only inches.

Matt Van Oekel substited in for Nic Platter at the start of the second half and he earned his stripes in the 57th minute. Comunicaciones sprung Montepeque for a break away but Van Oekel made a diving save to keep the match 1-0.

Van Oekel continued deny Comunicaciones access to the goal in the 62nd minute. Manuel Archila had the ball deep in Thunder territory but his angle was not right for a shot. Instead, he was going to set up his teammate for a one touch goal but Van Oekel dove and snatched the ball to stop the play.

Dale Weiler scored the second goal of the game in the 81st minute. Weiler took the ball in from Geoffrey Myers, found a window of opportunity, and sent a floater of a shot on target. Guerra watched the ball hang in the air and made an attempt to knock the shot off target but he missed. The ball fell just below the crossbar and Weiler logged the second goal of the game.

"I think we did well tonight," said Thunder midfielder Dale Weiler. "We controlled the ball better in the first half, but we got a lot of subs in and I think we can carry this through to Friday. It also feels good to score a goal. I did not touch the ball much when I subbed in but I took advantage of the opportunity."

After 90 minutes, the Thunder downed Comunicaciones 2-0. It is a good momentum boost leading to Friday's match against Miami FC.

The Minnesota Thunder are hosting Miami FC on Friday at the National Sports Center at 7:00 p.m. After Friday, the Thunder takes a week off and will return to Blaine on August 1 at 7:05 p.m. to take on the Portland Timbers.

For individual tickets, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or for group tickets call the Thunder office at 763.390.8336.

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USL First Division Stories from July 22, 2009


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