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Minnesota Thunder Drops Cleveland City Stars 3-0

August 27, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, August 27, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder claimed their revenge on the Cleveland City Stars with a 3-0 win tonight. Last Saturday, these two teams faced off in Cleveland but the City Stars were the victors of that match. The Thunder played to their potential tonight and the win was well earned. The Thunder took an early lead in the seventh minute and held onto the lead the entire match. Minnesota's Marco Terminesi scored two insurance goals late in the match to round out the game with a 3-0 lead.

The Minnesota Thunder wasted no time in taking an early lead on the City Stars. In the seventh minute, Lawrence Olum accepted a pass from Marco Terminesi and put a one touch shot on target toward the near post. Cleveland's keeper, Hunter Gilstrap, dove but was not able to make the save and Minnesota captured the go ahead goal.

Marco Terminesi nearly scored a second Thunder goal in the 27th minute. Leonel Saint-Preux centered the ball to Terminesi, who was in position to put a shot on goal, but Terminesi missed and the ball trickled out of bounds for a City Stars' goal kick.

The first half was somewhat of a back and fourth between Minnesota and Cleveland but the edge was in Minnesota's favor. With the early goal, the Thunder had a boost of energy for the rest of the half.

Ricardo Sanchez took a shot, in the 59th minute, that just missed the net. He collected a rebound off of Gilstrap and immediately took second shot but the ball just sailed over the crossbar.

Melvin Tarley had his own near miss in the 76th minute. Rod Dyachenko sent a perfect cross to a well positioned Tarley. He managed to get his head on the cross but the shot fell just outside of the side post and the Thunder remained leading only by one.

Minnesota's keeper, Nic Platter, did his share in the win in the 85th minute. The City Star's offense drew several Thunder defenders out of position leaving a man unmarked and ready to receive an impending cross. The cross came and Platter and the attacker reached the ball at the same time but Platter was able to punch the ball out of bounds and maintaining the lead.

Marco Terminesi was able to score an insurance goal in the 89th minute. Jeremiah Bass took a shot that found Terminesi who, in turn, headed it over the hands of Gilstrap and logged Minnesota's second goal of the match.

Terminesi scored a second goal in the 90th minute. Nate Knox was knocked down and fouled one yard outside of the penalty box and Terminesi answered the call to take the free kick. He snuck a shot around the wall of Cleveland's defenders and past Gilstrap for his second goal and Minnesota's third.

The Thunder's momentum was more prevalent in the second half. While Cleveland had scoring opportunities, Minnesota used tonight to prove they were a much better team than they were last Saturday when Cleveland downed Minnesota 1-0. Tonight's win reflects The Thunder's synchronicity and improved team chemistry. It is also a step towards playoffs. Minnesota still has a chance to advance to the playoffs. If the Thunder continues to log victories, they will have a chance to grab the last playoff spot.

"I thought we played outstanding tonight," said Minnesota goalkeeper Nic Platter. "To be honest, I thought we played well last game too. We dominated most of the play and I gave up a goal that normally wouldn't happen in a run up play and we could not put anything on frame. But tonight, we were on our home soil and were determined not to let that happen again. We played much better tonight."

Minnesota only gets one day of rest/travel before they play the Islanders in Puerto Rico on Saturday. Kick off is 6:00 p.m. and the match can be viewed for free at www.usllive.com. The Thunder will be back in Blaine on Friday, September 4 when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps.

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

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