Thunder Drops Road Match to Cleveland City Stars 1-0

Published on August 22, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Minnesota Thunder ended its five game road trip with a disappointing loss to the Cleveland City Stars this evening by a score of 1-0. Cleveland's Teteh Bangura scored the lone goal of the match, giving his team their third win of the season, and second over the Thunder this season. The Thunder will return home Thursday, August 27 and face Cleveland for the third and final time this season. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the National Sports Center.

In what was a back and forth affair for a majority of the match, the first real opportunity for either team resulted in the one and only goal of the match. In the 23rd minute, Cleveland's Jason Hotchkin send a well placed, but low cross into the Thunder's penalty box. Bangura neatly one timed the ball out of the air, chipping it up and over Thunder goalkeeper Nic Platter, who didn't stand a chance and getting a finger on the ball.

The Thunder struggled getting shots on target all evening. In the 36th minute midfielder Ricardo Sanchez sent one of his signature corner kicks into the box and found the head of forward Marco Terminesi. Terminesi's shot sailed just wide right in what was the Thunder's best scoring opportunity of the half.

Just four minutes later, Cleveland nearly doubled their lead. Warren Kanu sent a screaming shot from 35 yards out that had Platter beat. However, his shot cracked off the cross bar and back into play where the Thunder calmly cleared it away.

Minnesota controlled the majority of the second half, but couldn't find the equalizer. The Thunder will face these same Cleveland City Stars on Thursday, July 27 at 7:05 p.m. at the National Sports Center. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 763.390.8326.

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USL First Division Stories from August 22, 2009


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