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Thunder Breaks Three Game Winning Streak with a 2-1 Loss to Miami FC Blues

July 24, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1) - Minnesota Thunder News Release

BLAINE, Minn. (Friday, July 24, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder were on a roll for two weeks with three wins and a row, but tonight Miami broke that streak with a 2-1 win over Minnesota. Miami took the lead in the 13th minute and extended their lead in the 62nd minute both scored by Paulo Araujo. The Thunder managed to get back within one but could not score the equalizer. Next up for Minnesota is a home match against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, August 1 at 7:05 p.m.

Miami drew first blood in the 13th minute with a goal from Paulo Araujo. He found himself on a one on one but Araujo beat the Thunder defender and shot a goal past Nic Platter to gain the lead for Miami FC.

Minnesota nearly answered back in the 16th minute. Lawrence Olum had the ball at the top of the box with a perfect shooting lane. Olum ripped a shot but Miami goalkeeper, Pat Hannigan, made the save by jumping and fully extending his arm just to deflect the ball off course. Brian Civilikas collected the rebound but his shot missed wide left.

The Thunder just missed the net in the 43rd minute. Minnesota had a corner kick and Ricardo Sanchez set Cvilikas up for a one touch goal. Although Cvilikas did not manage to put a shot on goal, he took control of the ball. After a bit of juggling, he took a shot but the ball missed high.

After 45 minutes of play, the Thunder went into the locker room down by one but looking to improve their efforts in the second half.

Miami's Araujo scored his second goal of the game in the 62nd minute. He accepted a long through ball and was able to get past the Thunder's defenders. Araujo took his shot just inside the top right corner of the penalty box and despite Platter's attempt the ball still managed to hit the side netting in the goal.

Marco Termenesi narrowed the scored deficit in the 74th minute. Lawrence Olum had the ball and passed the ball to an unmarked Termenesi. Termenesi took his time to gain control of the ball but still managed to blast a shot to the near side of the goal past Hannigan.

"When I get the chance, I am going to put the ball in the net," said Minnesota forward Marco Termenesi. "I am going to put in the work and get around the keeper. That is my specialty to put it in the back of the goal."

Leonel Saint-Preux had a chance in the 82nd minute but could not finish. The play started with a corner kick from Sanchez making its way to Jeremiah Bass. Bass headed the ball back into the box where Saint-Preux had an opportunity but missed wide left.

When the final whistle blew, the Minnesota Thunder lost to Miami FC Blues 2-1. This snaps a three game winning streak and deflates some of Minnesota's momentum.

"I think we should have played better, especially in the first half," said Thunder midfielder Lawrence Olum. "We came out a little sluggish and it was tough to get things going. In the end, we should have played better."

Minnesota have a week of rest before returning to the pitch. On Saturday, August 1, the Thunder hosts Portland Timbers at 7:05 p.m. which will round out the Thunder's four game home stand. After that, Minnesota will be the visiting team for the majority of August playing five matches in a row on the road. The Thunder kicks out their road trip against the Montreal Impact on Sunday, August 9 at 2:45 p.m.

For individual tickets to any Thunder home match, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or for group tickets call the Thunder office at 763.390.8336.

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