Thunder And Lightning Hit The Road This Weekend In Search Of More Points

Published on June 8, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, June 8, 2007) - Both the Minnesota Thunder and Minnesota Lightning have two games this weekend. The Thunder is traveling to San Francisco to play the expansion team the California Victory on Saturday at 9 p.m., and then playing the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday also at 9 p.m. The Lightning will be playing the second and third games of their season, at Cleveland today against the Internationals at 5:30 p.m. and at Ft. Wayne Sunday against the Fever at 2 p.m.

About the Thunder (1-5-3; 6 points)

The Thunder has been off to a rough start this season, with only one win on the record. However; they battled the undefeated Montreal Impact on Tuesday to a 1-1 draw. The Thunder has earned all of its points on the road thus far, losing each of its three home games by a score of 2-2. The Thunder is looking to boost their rankings with two wins this weekend, so that they will come into the U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday with a better record.

About California (1-4-2; 5 points)

The Victory is new to the USL landscape this season. The first year team finally picked up its first win of the season on Thursday, beating the league leading Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. The Victory is last in the USL standings but only one point behind the Thunder. Despite their unsuccessful season so far, a few players have been standing out for the Victory. Two Victory players were named to the USL First Division Team of the Week: Defender Patrick Ianni and forward Yuri Morales. Ianni has been a recent addition to the team's defense and has made an impact. Morales scored the game winner in the match against Vancouver on Thursday.

Season Series

Saturday's game will mark the first ever match between these two teams and the first of three matches this season. The Thunder and Victory will face off again on June 24 at James Griffin Stadium at 5:05 p.m.

About Vancouver (5-2-3; 18 points)

The Whitecaps have had a successful season, currently leading the league standings by two points. They, along with the Thunder, tied the Montreal Impact recently, but lost to the Victory Thursday night 1-0. Vancouver has struggled at home this season, only scoring six of their league leading 15 goals at home.

Season Series

This is the second meeting between the Thunder and Whitecaps this season. The last time these teams played each other was at the Thunder's home opener on May 6. The Thunder fell short, losing 2-1. Freddy Juarez scored the only goal for the Thunder, with Jay Alberts and Steve Klein scoring for Vancouver.

About the Lightning (1-0-0; 3 points)

The Lightning has only had one game so far this season, but it earned them three points, putting them in a tie for fourth in the standings after only one game. The first game of the season was against the Chicago Gaels at a double header with the Thunder in Blaine. Lightning forward Caroline Smith scored both goals in a 2-0 win over the Gaels.

About Cleveland (2-0-0; 6 points)

The Internationals are tied for second place in the Midwest Division of the W-League. Their first match of the season for Cleveland was also against the Gaels where they walked away with a 3-1 victory. The Internationals faced the Ft. Wayne Fever on Wednesday evening and won 1-0. Last season the Lightning beat out the Internationals for the final spot in the Central Conference playoffs.

About Ft. Wayne (0-3-2; 2 points)

The Fever is already five games into their season but have no wins and only two points to show for it. They are currently second to last in the Midwest Division standings, after two big losses to the Gaels and getting blanked 4-0 by the Michigan Hawks and 1-0 to the Internationals. This will be the first of three games in a row with the Fever as the next two games are in Minnesota on June 14 and June 16.

Up Next

The next Thunder home game is first round competition of the U.S. Open Cup as the Thunder hosts the El Paso Indios. This match is set for Tuesday, June 12 at 7:05 p.m.

The next home game for the Lightning is on Thursday, June 14 when they host the Ft. Wayne Fever at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Kick off is set for 7:05 p.m.

On June 16, both teams will return to the National Sports Center for the second and final double header of the season. The Lightning kicks off against the Fever at 5:05 p.m. with the Thunder following against Miami FC at 7:35 p.m.

For tickets to any Thunder or Lightning matches, please call 651.917.TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com

Minnesota Thunder Blood Drive at Mall of America on Sunday, June 10

The Thunder is teaming up with Memorial Blood Centers to host a blood drive at the Mall of America (in Sears Court) on Sunday, June 10 from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Minnesota Thunder players, Performance Team members, and Thor will all be at the drive promoting the value of giving blood. Each blood donor will receive a complimentary ticket to a Thunder home game and a Memorial Blood Centers Nalgene bottle.

In addition there will be a raffle open to everybody, whether they donate or not. Prizes include a Thunder team autographed soccer ball and several 4-Packs of Thunder and Lightning tickets.


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USL First Division Stories from June 8, 2007


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