Thunder Drops to Montreal Impact 1-0

Published on August 9, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Sunday, August 9, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder are on a three game losing streak while playing on the road with a 1-0 loss to the Montreal Impact today. Montreal outshot the Thunder in the first half 9-2 but Nic Platter and the rest of the Thunder defense successfully shut down the Impact offense. Minnesota did not have the same luck in the second half when Roberto Brown scored the one and only goal of the match in the 51st minute. This goal was the game winner and Minnesota fell to Montreal for the first time in the 2009 campaign.

Despite Montreal's offensive efforts, the Impact could not manage to get a shot past Minnesota goalkeeper Nic Platter in the first half. All nine efforts from the Impact were either turned away or missed the net but it is all the same to the scoreboard.

Minnesota did manage to squeeze off two shots in the 45 minutes but they posed no real threat to Montreal's goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic. Montreal and Minnesota went into the locker room eager for the first goal.

Montreal forward Roberto Brown scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute. Brown came in unassisted and saw his chance. The Impact forward capitalized on his opportunity when his shot got past Minnesota goalkeeper, Nic Platter, for the opening and closing goal of the game.

Minnesota's offensive efforts did not amount to much in the second half. Minnesota captain Jeremiah Bass had three shots himself, but Djekanovic stopped Bass and the rest of the Thunder from catching up to the Impact.

The second half stoppage time was Minnesota's last chance to even up the match and it was filled with action. Montreal defender Pizzolitto earned himself a yellow card due to his effort and even Impact's goal keeper Srdjan Djekanovic was given a yellow card in the stoppage time. The final minutes were fought with passion and intensity but Montreal continued to outplay the Thunder and fend off their final attacks.

After 90 minutes, Minnesota could not get their equalizer and their first match of this road trip ended in a 1-0 loss.

Both teams played a fierce battle the entire game. With a combined total of 29 fouls, Montreal was looking for revenge from the 3-0 loss they had to the Thunder on July 11 and Minnesota was fighting to earn a much needed three point match.

"I thought our work rate and our team shape was good enough to get a result today," said Thunder head coach Donny Gramenz. "But that being said, we were not sharp enough with our passing and speed of play. We will begin to prepare Tuesday and Wednesday for our important road trip against Miami, Austin, Rochester and Cleveland. This road trip will dictate our possibility of post season play."

Minnesota continues their road trip by traveling to Miami FC on Friday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. The Thunder do not have much rest between Miami and their next opponent, Austin Aztex, as they play only two days later on Sunday, August 16 at 6:00 p.m. The Thunder away matches can be viewed for free at www.usllive.com. The Thunder will be back in Minnesota on Thursday, August 27 when the Cleveland City Stars comes to the National Sports Center.

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.

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USL First Division Stories from August 9, 2009


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