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Thunder Drops Game in Atlanta 2-1

May 16, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST PAUL, Minn. (5/16/08)- The Thunder dropped Friday nights game 2-1 to the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Thunder is now 3-2-0, still on the upper half of the First Division standings. The Thunder put forth a good effort, but unfortunately couldn't finish in the penalty area. The Thunder finish up their road trip Sunday night against the Carolina Railhawks, where they hope to redeem a few points back.

The Silverbacks put the pressure on the Thunder's defense right away. In the 11th minute the Silverbacks put up an opportunity right in front of the goal from a corner kick. Jason McLaughlin hit the ball right over, saving the Thunder from an early goal.

The Silverbacks got on the board in the 34th minute when McLaughlin served a ball to Tony McManus who directed the ball around Thunder keeper Nic Platter. The goal gave Atlanta an early advantage in a difficult game for both teams.

The Thunder's first key opportunity came in the 43rd minute when Ricardo Sanchez took a corner kick. Sanchez sent the ball to Friedland who tried to find Luchi Gonzalez. Gonzalez was attacked by four Silverback defensemen who won possession quickly.

The second half started off quickly with a Silverback goal right away in the 48th minute. Former Thunder player Ansu Toure sent a ball in front of the Thunder goal to McLauglin who was eight yards in front of Platter. The Thunder defense broke down and the Silverbacks went up 2-0.

In the 69th minute, the Thunder made it onto the board. Gonzalez took a 24 yard free kick that found the head of Melvin Tarley who hit it to the upper right corner of the goal. Tarley scored the lone goal for the Thunder last game, securing their 1-0 win against Vancouver last Saturday.

Platter came out strong tonight, after a defensive meltdown in the 75th minute. The Silverbacks kept the pressure on into the 82nd minute when they almost scored their third goal. Platter came out to stop Toure, only to get beat and give the Silverbacks an open goal. Thunder defender Brian Kallman sprinted back and stopped Toure's chance.

"We put a lot of heart and effort into tonight's game. If we would have had a little bit better quality in the penalty area we would have found our equalizer. We can take a lot from the way we fought and battled tonight," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee.

The Thunder finish up their road trip in North Carolina on Sunday to play the Carolina Railhawks at 6:30 pm. The Thunder's next home game will be held at the National Sports Center in Blaine against Miami FC. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 651.989.5151.



USL First Division Stories from May 16, 2008


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