Thunder Downs Defending Champs 2-1 to Get First Win at New NSC Stadium

July 24, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, July 24, 2008) - After going winless in league play for exactly two months, the Minnesota Thunder got their fifth win of the season tonight in front of a crowd of 4,832 fans with a 2-1 come from behind win over the defending champions, the Seattle Sounders. Melvin Tarley scored the game winning goal in the 81st minute to bring the Thunder out of the bottom of the USL First Division Standings.

The Thunder will return to action Sunday night at home against the Puerto Rico Islanders at 5:05 p.m. at the National Sports Center.

Both teams had ample opportunities to start the game. In the 13th minute of play, Seattle got their first opportunity of six in the first half. A cross into the box found the head of Jason Cascio who was at the far post. His header from just feet away sailed over the cross bar.

The Thunder's first opportunity of the half came just five minutes later when wide midfielder Dale Weiler sent a cross in the box from the right side. His cross made it to the head of Melvin Tarley, who headed it on goal right at Seattle keeper Chris Eylander.

In the 26th minute Seattle's Sebastien Le Toux took a shot from 25 yards out. His shot hit straight off the post back into play where Cascio one timed his rebound over the cross bar. Le Toux, who was dangerous all half, missed a wide open header at the back post in the 31st minute.

In the 43rd minute, Seattle got on the board. Youssouf Kante dribbled up the midfield and hammered a shot from 30 yards out. His shot hit off the post, beating Nic Platter, and hit the back of the net.

The Thunder took the run of play in the second half, outshooting the Sounders 6-3. In the 60th minute, Ricardo Sanchez took a long shot that deflected off a Sounders defender and trickled just past the left post and out of bounds.

However, it was in the 78th minute that the Thunder scoring woes stopped. Brian Kallman got his first goal of the season to start the scoring. Luchi Gonzalez sent a perfect corner kick to the back post where Kallman leaped over his defender heading the ball down to the goal line where it bounced into the net.

Just three minutes later the Thunder got the game winning goal. Stephen deRoux fed a nifty pass to an onrushing Melvin Tarley who slotted a left footed shot on the ground past Eylander.

The win puts the Thunder in a tie for eighth place, just one point out of the final playoff spot with 12 matches to go.



USL First Division Stories from July 24, 2008


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