Thunder battles Charleston, Atlanta this weekend at home

July 25, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


St. Paul, Minn. (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)-- The Minnesota Thunder will try to follow the biggest win of the season with more success in hosting two home games this weekend. On Thursday, July 27 the Thunder will host the Charleston Battery at 7:05 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The game is part of the opening ceremonies for the MYSA State Tournament.

Minnesota will also be in action on Sunday, July 30, facing the Atlanta Silverbacks at 5:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium. For ticket information, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.

MYSA participants are encouraged to use their complimentary MYSA tickets for Thursday's match. MYSA tickets can also be used for any remaining regular season game.

About the Thunder

Minnesota (3-8-5, 14 points) is currently in 11th place in the USL First Division, but coming off a major upset win. On Friday, July 21 the Thunder defeated the first-place Montreal Impact 2-1 at home. The Impact had previously beaten the Thunder 4-0 on May 21 in Montreal this season. The Thunder were down 1-0 in the second half, but Matt Schmidt and Nathan Knox scored back-to-back goals in less than two minutes to give Minnesota the win. Melvin Tarley is the team leader in scoring, with four goals and three assists for 11 points. Knox is second with three goals and two assists. Sunday's game against Atlanta will end the Thunder's four-game home stand.

About the Battery

Charleston (8-6-4, 28 points) is currently tied for third place with the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the USL First Division. The Battery are four points behind the first-place Montreal Impact and one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. Charleston has won two consecutive home games, most recently defeating Miami FC 2-0 on July 22. The Battery have six home wins but have struggled in road games, with a 2-4-1 record. Offensively, forward Gavin Glinton leads the way with 10 goals, which is second-most in the USL First Division. Midfielders Ben Hollingsworth and Stephen Armstrong have 12 and 11 points, respectively. Goalkeeper Dustin Hudock has been one of the best in the league, with a 0.636 goals against average and six shutouts in 11 games.

About the Silverbacks

Atlanta (7-5-4, 25 points) is one of three teams tied for fifth place in the USL First Division, joining the Puerto Rico Islanders and Seattle Sounders. Each team is just three points away from being tied for third place. Atlanta has gone an undefeated 6-0-2 at home this season, but has won just one road game. Earlier this season, the Silverbacks went on a streak when they won five straight games and did now allow an opponent goal. Atlanta most recently tied Puerto Rico 1-1 at home on July 22. Before the Silverbacks face the Thunder on Sunday, they will host the Montreal Impact on Friday. Atlanta's offense has been found throughout the team this season. Jason McLaughlin and Machel Millwood each have four goals, but four other players have at least two goals.

Season Series

The Thunder's season series with both the Battery and the Silverbacks will end on Sunday. Earlier this season, the Thunder played back-to-back road games at Charleston and Atlanta. On July 1, the Thunder had a 2-1 lead in Charleston, but the game ended in a 2-2 tie as a controversial penalty kick was called against Minnesota in the 90th minute. The Thunder followed up the tie with a 2-0 loss in Atlanta on July 4. Milwood scored both goals for the Silverbacks.

Up Next

After four consecutive home games, the Thunder will return to the road next week in facing the Portland Timbers on Friday, August 4 at 9:00 p.m. at PGE Park. Fans can visit www.portlandtimbers.com to listen to the game live on the web. The next Thunder home game is on Thursday, August 10 when Minnesota hosts the Toronto Lynx at 7:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium. For ticket information, call 651.917.TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com




USL First Division Stories from July 25, 2006


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