Playoff-hunting Thunder battles Puerto Rico in final home game Sunday

August 15, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Tuesday, August 15, 2006)- Minnesota Thunder fans will have one last chance to cheer on the team at home in the regular season this Sunday. The Thunder will go for their fourth straight win in hosting the Puerto Rico Islanders on August 20 at 5:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium.

Sunday is also Camp Reunion Night sponsored by SUBWAY for all youth who attended a 2006 Thunder soccer camp. All campers in attendance will receive a special reunion night gift and have the opportunity to get autographs of their favorite Thunder players. One camper in attendance will be named the $1000 soccer scholarship winner! All campers received a free ticket to the game at their camp. A special ticket discount is available to family members and friends of campers. Pre-purchased tickets are available for $10 for adults and $6 for youth. These special ticket prices are not available at the gate on game day and must be ordered in advance.

The Thunder will be without the services of Melvin Tarley for the remainder of the season. Tarley has left the Thunder and will join the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer effective immediately. Colorado has been interested in Tarley since the 2005 season when he scores four goals in a 4-1 defeat of the Rapids in the US Open Cup Tournament.

"I'm happy for Melvin that he is going to get another shot at the MLS," said Thunder general manager Djorn Buchholz. "We will miss him here in Minnesota, but we have had some players stepping up lately that will fill the void he will be leaving."

The Thunder will also be playing in an exhibition game this week. On Thursday, August 17, the Thunder will face the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay at Prior Lake High School at 7 p.m. Thunder legend and former MLS and U.S. national team player Manny Lagos will rejoin the Thunder for the scrimmage.

For ticket information to either game, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.

About the Thunder

Minnesota (6-10-5, 23 points) won its third consecutive game last Sunday in defeating the Rochester Raging Rhinos 1-0 at home. Midfielder Terry Alvino scored his third goal of the season for the game-winner. The Thunder now have four players - Alvino, Leo Gibson, Nathan Knox, and Matt Schmidt- with three or more goals this season. Goalkeeper Joe Warren has had three shutout wins in a row, and was rewarded for his efforts by being named to this week's USL First Division Team of the Week. The Thunder are currently in 11th place in the USL First Division, but just one win out of ninth place. Minnesota will finish the regular season with six consecutive road games.

About the Islanders

Puerto Rico (8-7-6, 30 points) is clinging onto a playoff spot in fifth place in the USL First Division. The Islanders are currently in the middle of their toughest stretch of the season, with six consecutive road games. Puerto Rico has struggled on the road recently, going 0-1-2 in the last three games. Prior to playing the Thunder on Sunday, the Islanders will travel to Portland to face the Timbers on Friday. Forward Alen Marcina is fourth in the USL First Division with nine goals scored this season and leads his team with 18 points. Midfielder Kormac Valdeberito-Gomez is second on the Islanders with 11 points. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has a 1.155 goals against average in 20 games played and leads the USL First Division with 82 saves.

Season Series

Sunday will mark the first meeting of the 2006 season between the Thunder and Islanders. The Thunder won the season series with Puerto Rico in 2005, tying the Islanders 1-1 on the road and beating them 4-3 at home. The two teams will face each other again this season on September 3, when the Thunder travel to Puerto Rico.

Up Next

The Thunder will conclude the regular season with six consecutive road games. Next weekend, the Thunder will take on the Seattle Sounders on Friday, August 25 at 9 p.m. at Qwest Field. The game will be followed with a trip to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps at 9 p.m. at Swangard Stadium.



USL First Division Stories from August 15, 2006


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