Thunder Can't Finish, Lose to Rochester 1-0

Published on July 20, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (July 20, 2008)- The Minnesota Thunder lost their eighth game against the Rochester Rhinos 1-0 Sunday afternoon, keeping them in last place in the First Division standings. After far too many opportunities on net, the Thunder couldn't seem to put anything past the Rochester defense, leaving them scoreless after 90 minutes of play.

The Thunder started off their usual way, pressuring well in the first ten minutes. Andres Arango was the first to get a ball on net in the 3rd minute off a corner kick from Ricardo Sanchez. A chip in by John Greenfield went just too far past Melvin Tarley, leaving the Rhino keeper with plenty of time to gather the ball. The Thunder seemed to have control of the game, and looked like a goal was in their near future.

In the 18th minute, the Thunder had their best scoring opportunity of the half. After a foul 20 yards from the goal Sanchez set up for a free kick, sending a ball just wide of the goal into the side netting. The Thunder was given opportunity after opportunity, but couldn't finish on anything.

In the 19th minute, Rochester took advantage of their first dangerous attack. Former Thunder player Johnny Menyonger scored for the Rhinos after a cross from Luke Kreamalmeyer. Menyonger volleyed the ball into the net, scoring the only goal of the game.

The Thunder wasn't about to stay in last place, knowing a win was crucial for their pride. In the 32nd minute, Greenfield sent another ball in, this time to Freddy Moojen. Moojen took a great first touch and shot the ball just wide of the goal, giving the Rhinos possession.

Although the Thunder controlled the entire first half of the game, Rochester was the only team to capitalize on their attacks. Minnesota needed to come out strong in the second half in order to keep their heads above water in the standings.

In the 74th minute, the Thunder defense stepped up their game. Mauricio Salles took a shot that sailed past Thunder keeper Nic Platter. Former Rhino defender Kevin Taylor was there to stop the ball on the line and clear it out of danger. The defensive scare sent the Thunder into an attack mode that couldn't seem to be as dangerous as fans would have hoped.

In the 76th minute Dayton O'Brien checked in for the Thunder, in hopes of getting some solid crosses off to the strikers. O'Brien sent a ball to Moojen that was headed just into the side netting for a Rhino goal kick.

The Thunder defense saved a goal yet again in the 82nd minute, after Greenfield was there to block a shot by Menyonger who was looking for his second goal of the game. The Thunder defense kept the Thunder in the game until the last minute when the strikers couldn't finish the attacks. In the 90th minute, the Rhinos weren't about to give up. Menyonger received a through ball from John Ball and went one on one with Platter. Platter came out hard and stopped Menyonger's dangerous attack, earning his fourth save of the game.

The Thunder drops to 4-8-5 on the season, and goes on to host the Seattle Sounders on Thursday for another home game. Kickoff is at 7:05pm at the National Sports Center in Blaine. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 651-917-TEAM.

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USL First Division Stories from July 20, 2008


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