Thunder Comes Up Short in 3-2 Puerto Rico Loss

Published on July 28, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST PAUL, Minn. (July 27, 2008)- The Minnesota Thunder went into halftime with a 2-0 lead, but the Puerto Rico Islanders came out in the second half and scored three goals and earn the three points for a win. The Thunder ended their 2008 season series with the Islanders going 0-3, but putting up a good effort in all three games. The Thunder is now four points away from a playoff spot, which is still very possible with 11 games left in the season.

The Thunder came out with the intensity carried over from Thursday's exciting game against the Seattle Sounders where the Thunder came back from a 1-0 deficit and won 2-1. There was certainly a fire to kick off the game tonight; the Thunder was hungry for a sixth win. As early as the 5th minute, Alen Marcina sent a cross into Stephen deRoux who got a head on it but couldn't curve it on goal. The attacking was already top-notch for the Thunder, whose offensive put up seven shots in the first half alone.

In the 13th minute, Marcina was sent a well placed ball through, making a great run towards goal. Marcina was taken out by the Islanders goalkeeper Bill Guadette who was issued a yellow card, and the Thunder was given a free kick from 25 yards out. Ricardo Sanchez set up to take the kick; hitting a beautiful ball into the top left corner. The Thunder hasn't started off a game that well in a few weeks, motivating them to beat the 2nd place Islander team.

The Thunder defense also had a few key plays in the first half. In the 16th minute Josh Hansen sent a dangerous ball near goal, but was headed out by Thunder defender Kyle Altman. The Thunder kept the Islanders out of their defensive third for the first 45 minutes, only letting them get off two shots.

In the 32nd minute, the Thunder scored their second goal of the game. Sanchez sent a ball to Dale Weiler who slotted the ball low to the far post and past a few Islander defenders. The Thunder was completely dominating the first half, and couldn't seem to be stopped.

In the 45th minute, the Thunder looked to make it 3-0. Another free kick by Sanchez missed the head of Kevin Taylor but was caught by Weiler on the line. Weiler passed to Marcina who flicked it just too far as he was taken out in the box. The whistle blew for halftime, and the Thunder was confident they could finish this game on the right note with another three points.

Puerto Rico came out in the second half with a few different ideas. Only seven minutes in, the Islanders scored two goals in two minutes, both off of set pieces. In the 52nd minute Jonathan Steele took a corner, finding the head of Hansen who nailed it in the back of the net.

History repeated itself in the following minute, when Cristian Arrieta took another corner kick for the Islanders. Arrieta found Fabrice Noel who headed the ball in the back of the net to even the score in just minutes.

The Thunder couldn't seem to get back into their first half intensity, and the Islanders took advantage of it. In the 72nd minute Edwin Miranda took a shot from 30 yards out aiming for goal. Thunder goalkeeper Nic Platter and Taylor had a miscommunication, deflecting the ball off Taylor and into the net. Suddenly, the Thunder was down 3-2 and had a one goal deficit to come back from.

Paul Moran stepped up tonight for the Thunder, coming in for Altman in the 66th minute. Moran worked the ball down the line and into Puerto Rico's offensive third to create more chances for an equalizing goal.

"We played well enough for a win tonight, but for a ten minute period we lacked concentration. We need to come out next game and keep our concentration for 90 minutes, as points don't come easily in this league," said Moran.

The Thunder had one last chance in the last minute of play to secure an equalizer and a possible point. In the 90th minute a defensive play for Puerto Rico led to a corner kick by Luchi Gonzalez. The ball was sent in and Freddy Moojen's shot was blocked by Orsei Telesford and sent out to Jeremiah Bass who lofted a shot in but couldn't seem to get it on net.

The Thunder couldn't find the equalizer, losing to the Islanders for the third and final time this season 3-2. The Islanders are now one point away from first place below the Charleston Battery and the Thunder continue to stay at the bottom of the table, looking forward to their next few games as opportunities for success.

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USL First Division Stories from July 28, 2008


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