Minnesota Thunder Preview

Published on August 29, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps aim to move closer to a USL-1 playoff berth when they host Minnesota Thunder on Thursday evening.

This will be Minnesota's third visit to Swangard Stadium this season, and their fourth regular-season meeting with Bob Lilley's side. The Whitecaps won their first and only away encounter with the Thunder on May 6, as a Steve Klein header earned Vancouver a 2-1 win at James Griffin Stadium in St Paul. On June 10, a second-half Tony Donatelli strike gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 home win over Minnesota before the Thunder returned to claim a 1-1 draw at Swangard back on August 12. "Even though they are low in the standings, I think they have a good team," forward Jason McLaughlin told whitecapsfc.com. "They've won some big games and they're not to be taken lightly."

Vancouver enter this week's contest in a positive mood after claiming their first win in over two months, as captain Jeff Clarke's first goal of the season gave the Whitecaps a crucial 1-0 home victory over Charleston Battery last Saturday. The result ended a club record 12-game winless streak and put Lilley's side within five points of securing a spot in next month's playoffs. "Everybody was happy with Saturday's win, and I thought Monday's training session went pretty well as well," McLaughlin said. "For the most part, I think everybody will be ready to play on Thursday."

The Whitecaps were further boosted by the return of some keys players on Saturday, as goalscorer Clarke returned after a one-game suspension, while striker Eddy Sebrango made his first appearance after spending 10 games on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Lilley will have another key player available for Thursday's game, as left fullback Steve Kindel completed a three-game suspension for the red card he picked up at Portland Timbers on August 11. "It's a quick week for us," Lilley said. "We trained today and will train Tuesday and Wednesday. We don't have any new injuries and it was nice to see Eddy play on Saturday. He was not at 100 per cent full fitness, but that game will help him next time out."

As one of three home games still to be played this regular season, the Whitecaps will look to close the gap on the teams above them in the standings. Only five points separate Vancouver from Atlanta Silverbacks in fourth place, who are tied on 39 points with Rochester Raging Rhinos and Puerto Rico Islanders. The Whitecaps will follow their game with Minnesota by hosting Atlanta on September 7 and Portland on September 9.

Minnesota, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a playoff berth, despite being nine points adrift of eighth-place Carolina RailHawks. Thursday's trip to Swangard is one of four games remaining in the Thunder's regular season, though their head coach Amos Magee can only wonder what kind of position his side might have been in, had they turned some of their recent draws into victories. Minnesota claimed five straight ties before losing two home contests to Rochester and Atlanta.

Thursday's game is the first part of a tricky two-game road trip for the Thunder, as Minnesota also face USL-1 leaders Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field on Friday evening. They conclude their regular season campaign with home games against Carolina on September 6 and Seattle on September 9. "It's going to be battle," Magee said of Thursday's game back on August 12. "They're going to be fresh and we're going to be fresh at that juncture. We love playing here, and although we haven't had a lot of good results in Vancouver, it's a great setting with great fans."

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USL First Division Stories from August 29, 2007


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