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Thunder Come Back to Tie Portland 1-1

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


BLAINE, Minn. (Saturday, August 1, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder earned a point against the Portland Timbers with a 1-1 draw. This was a battle to the final whistle with numerous fouls, mounting yellow cards and a red card. In a similar fashion to the July 4 match, Minnesota came back with a 90th minute goal. Portland still extends their unbeaten streak to 18 matches with tonight's draw but they let the win slip through their fingers. Minnesota will be on the road for the next five matches starting off with Montreal Impact on Sunday, August 9 at 2:45 p.m.

Thunder goalkeeper, Nic Platter, denied Portland forward Mandjou Keita's scoring opportunity in the 7th minute. Keita, who is currently tied for third in goals scored, had a one on one with Platter and tried to go to the near side of the goal. Platter dropped to the ground and was able to block the shot with his leg.

Rod Dyachenko missed an open net in the 24th minute. Ricardo Sanchez flicked the ball off of his head where Cronin dove but misjudged the angle and it bounced over his hands. Dyachenko took control of the ball, looking at an open net, he shot but missed wide left.

Platter saved another dangerous Portland shot in the 41st minute. David Hayes had the ball in the box but did not have a clear shooting lane so he passed the ball off to Johan Claesson. Claesson did have an open shot and he capitalized on the opportunity. The try was hard and low but Platter made another leg save keeping the game scoreless.

Minnesota had the edge in the first half but Portland managed to keep the Thunder from scoring. Both teams are looking to break the seal of the game in the second half.

The Timbers took the lead in the 55th minute with a goal from Ryan Pore. Hayes took a corner kick and placed it in the center of the box. Pore headed the corner kick just over an outstretched Platter for the go ahead goal.

Portland's Jason McLaughlin was sent off due to a red card in the 83rd minute. McLaughlin was guarding the ball from two aggressive Thunder defenders and eventually turned the ball over. Once McLaughlin regained his composure, he went after the ball and gave a hard tackle from behind earning himself a red card.

The Thunder were given a penalty kick in the 90th minute after Portland fouled inside the box. Ricardo Sanchez took the shot low and to the right leaving Cronin grasping for air as he dove to the left. This goal evened the game and four minutes were left in stoppage time.

After the final whistle, Minnesota was happy to be earning a point and Portland kept their unbeaten streak alive with tonight's 1-1 draw.

"We had the ball but we did not have a lot of chances," said Minnesota midfielder Youssouf Kante. "We had more chances at the end of the game and we could have won the game but we tied. It was still a good game but we could have won, so I feel like we still have to work to do. We do not shoot or pass the ball as much as we should."

Minnesota takes a five game road trip starting with the Montreal Impact on Sunday, August 9 and ending with the Cleveland City Stars on Saturday, August 22. All Thunder away matches can be viewed for free at www.usllive.com. The Thunder returns to the National Sports Center on Thursday, August 27 when they host the Cleveland City Stars.

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.



USL First Division Stories from August 1, 2009


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