Minnesota scores with one minute to go to tie a hard-fought game 1-1

August 31, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Miami, August 31, 2008 - Miami FC took on the Minnesota Thunder again on Sunday afternoon. The previous match up on Friday saw several players sent off and a few goals as well. The Blues had a different line up due to the red cards received by Léo Inácio, Walter Ramirez, and John Pulido. Miami FC looked to change its fortunes with a positive result and came away with the 1-1 draw. The Thunder got away with the victory 2-1 on Friday and put themselves in good position to grab a playoff spot and were fortunate to equalize in the late stages of the game on Sunday night.

Just like in the previous contest both teams were trying to create some good opportunities early but there were no real threats toward goal.

In the 17th minute though the combination of Sean Fraser and Alex Afonso proved dangerous once again when Afonso dribbled around a Thunder defender and then tip toed the end line and gave a great pass to Fraser. He was able to get a clean shot off but it was blocked at the last second.

In the 25th minute Sean Fraser's skill almost put Miami on the scoreboard. He was able to cut through the Minnesota defense in the area and do a little turn around which freed him from his mark. Fraser then layed a pass into Connally Edozien who almost scored after some frantic play for the ball.

In the 35th minute Minnesota had a great chance started by Ricardo Sanchez. After some nice passing in the midfield Sanchez received the ball and made his way into the Miami area. With just Josh Saunders between him and the goal Sanchez elected to try to chip in a cross for an oncoming teammate but his service was too high.

Just before the end of the first half Sean Fraser put Miami on the scoreboard. On the counterattack Alex Afonso dribbled downfield with Fraser running down the right flank. At the perfect moment Afonso passed to Sean Fraser in stride and he took the one timer which squirted past Thunder keeper Nic Platter in the 43rd.

Miami then went into the locker room a few minutes later leading 1-0.

In the 54th minute Minnesota was almost the victim of a deflected goal by its own player. Ansu Toure weaved his way back and forth on the left side and then found a gap in the defense. He took the opportunity to shoot and the ball deflected off the leg of a Minnesota defender but Nic Platter, the Thunder goalie, did a great job of getting a hand on it as he was going to wrong way.

The first 15 minutes of the second half had some good attacks by Miami. And in the 61st minute Ricardinho almost put a second goal in when the ball rolled out to him on the edge of the box. His shot was on target but the Thunder keeper did well to get a hold of it.

In the 63rd Ricardo Sanchez forced Josh Saunders to save a good free kick by the Thunder midfielder. From about 25 yards out the Mexican curled a free kick over the Miami wall and Saunders dove to the right side and blocked it away.

In the 74th minute Nic Platter saved what appeared to be another great chance for Miami FC. After a shot by Sean Fraser, the ball bounced across the goal to Afonso but as he went to strike the ball Platter came out and tapped it away to save the Thunder.

In the 80th minute Jeremiah Bass almost equalized for the Thunder. A free kick by Ricardo Sanchez on the right side swung in to Bass who got a good header toward the goal and it flew over the goal by about 2 feet.

Nate Knox struck again for the Thunder as he did in the last game on Friday. In the 88th minute he was in position in front of goal to chest down a ball that was in the air and then got a low shot off. The shot squirted under Josh Saunders and the Thunder tied it up at 1-1.



USL First Division Stories from August 31, 2008


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