Minnesota Rolls Into Town With Playoff Spot On The Line

August 23, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, Wash.) - - The Seattle Sounders face a red-hot Minnesota Thunder squad on their quest for the post season Friday, August 25th at Qwest Field. The Sounders are looking for an undefeated August to remain in the playoff hunt while Minnesota has assembled a four-game winning streak of their own. The Sounders and their mid-west rivals kick off at 7pm.

The Sounders (9-11-4, 31pts) are making a timely push for the post season. On a two game winning streak, the Sounders have kept their playoff hopes alive and currently hold the sixth and final playoff spot with four regular season matches remaining. In the past two matches the Sounders have outscored opponents 7-1.

A large part of the Sounders surge is the return of key players from injuries; most notably on offense the return of Forward Maykel Galindo. With Galindo on the field the Sounders are 4-1-0 and have out scored opponents 13-5 in those five matches.

Minnesota (7-10-5, 26pts) has had tough 2006 campaign, but are currently one of the hottest teams in the USL First Division winning their last four matches. The Thunder have not lost in the month of August. But the Thunder did lose the services of their team's leading goal scorer, Forward Melvin Tarley, who joined the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer on August 15th. Tarley scored five goals while with the Thunder.

The Sounders have struggled against the Thunder this season, with a 0-1-2 record in 2006. The Sounders are 8-11-4 overall against Minnesota and were 2-0-2 last season against the Thunder. The Sounders' 7-2-2 home record is among the league's best, while Minnesota is just 1-4-3 on the road.

The Sounders host the Thunder at Qwest Field on August 25th at 7pm. Tickets are available online or by calling the Sounders Box Office at (206) 622-3415.

O'BRIEN SUSPENDED TWO GAMES, ELIGIBLE FOR FRIDAY'S MATCH AGAINST THUNDER

Midfielder Leighton O'Brien was issued his eighth yellow card caution of the season on August 19th for a hard foul against the Whitecaps in the second half. As a result O'Brien must serve a two-game league imposed suspension against the Charleston Battery on September 1st and in Vancouver against the Whitecaps on September 8th. He will be available for the Sounders upcoming match on Friday, August 25th against the Minnesota Thunder.



USL First Division Stories from August 23, 2006


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