Thunder Battles Miami Friday On Fox Soccer Channel

Published on May 16, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Wednesday, May 16, 2007) - The Minnesota Thunder will take to the road again this weekend, playing two games and searching for its first win of the year. The Thunder will play at Miami FC on Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in a game that can be seen live on Fox Soccer Channel.

There will be an official watch party for fans at Brit's Pub in downtown Minneapolis located at 1110 Nicollet Avenue.

Minnesota will follow the match-up against Miami by traveling to Puerto Rico to take on the Islanders on Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m. That game can be watched on www.USLLive.com.

About the Thunder

Minnesota (0-2-2, 2 points) has had a brutal schedule to open up the season, playing five of its first six games on the road. After the away games this weekend, the Thunder will have two home games followed by three consecutive road games again. The schedule balances out in June, when the Thunder plays home for an extended stretch. Minnesota is hoping for a boost in its offense this weekend after scoring three goals in the first four games. Ansu Toure has taken 11 out of the Thunder's 30 shots so far this season, contributing one goal.

The Thunder will be without the services of Ansu Toure (hip flexor) and Alfredo Esteves (torn ACL). Esteves will most likely miss the remainder of the season.

About Miami

Miami FC (1-3-0, 3 points) is in its second season as a member of the USL First Division. Like the Thunder, Miami has struggled to find the back of the net in being shutout in three of four games to date. The team played its first three games of the season at home, falling 1-0 to the Rochester Raging Rhinos and the Montreal Impact and beating the Seattle Sounders 3-2. Most recently, Miami FC was defeated by the Charleston Battery 2-0 in Charleston. Romario, who led the league last year with 39 points, is no longer with the team.

About the Islanders

Puerto Rico (1-1-3, 6 points) has tied its last three games, playing to scoreless draws against the Seattle Sounders and Carolina RailHawks and tying the Montreal Impact 1-1. Before facing the Thunder on Sunday, the Islanders will host the second-place Atlanta Silverbacks on Friday. Forward Alberto Zapata has scored two of Puerto Rico's four goals this season, while goalkeeper Josh Saunders has played every minute between the pipes. Former Thunder forward Melvin Tarley recently became a member of the Islanders, but has not seen much time on the field.

2006 Season Series

The Thunder faced Miami FC twice last season, splitting the series. Minnesota won 4-1 at James Griffin Stadium in June, and was defeated 2-1 at Tropical Park Stadium in Miami last September. The Thunder also split with Puerto Rico last year, beating the Islanders 3-1 in Minnesota in August and losing 2-0 in September in Puerto Rico.

Up Next

The next Thunder home game is on Saturday, May 26 against the Puerto Rico Islanders at 7:35 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The game is the second of a double header, with the Minnesota Lightning set for its season opener against the Chicago Gaels at 5:05 p.m. The purchase of one ticket grants admission to both games. For more information, call 651.917.TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com

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USL First Division Stories from May 16, 2007


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