Thunder Finish Home Stand Against Puerto Rico Sunday

Published on May 26, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


Minnesota is Away for a Game Before the Hosting the Open Cup in June

BLAINE, Minn. (Tuesday, May 26, 2009) - The Thunder will be putting on the home kits for the conclusion of their May home stand. They will be taking on the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Islanders game will be played in Blaine, MN, May 31 at 5:05 PM. This is the first time that the two teams will be squaring off this year. Minnesota is fighting to get out of last place and the Islanders are in the middle of the pack in the USL First Division. The game can be viewed online for free at www.usllive.com. After Sunday's game, Minnesota travels to Rochester on Saturday June 6 at 6:35 PM.

For individual tickets to Sunday's game please visit www.ticketmaster.com or for group tickets call the Thunder office at 651.294.4664.

About the Thunder (0-4-3, 3 pts.):

Minnesota has just one more home game before they put on their away jerseys. They have been playing at home during the whole month of May. The team is hungry for their first win before they go on the road. After the Rochester Game, Minnesota returns home to play in the Open Cup. The Open Cup will be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN.

Thunder earned a point in the last game against Miami FC Blues. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. There were many chances for both sides but neither could score. Minnesota cracked their three game losing streak with the draw. The team is still fighting to get their first three point game.

Geoffrey Myers got his first call to start last Saturday. It was his first start for the Thunder and he played beautifully. He has played in 5 games this year and has been able to take ten shots. In the game against Miami, he had several very close misses. One of these shots was a breakaway that missed just left.

"We are looking forward to playing Puerto Rico. They were one of the best teams in the league last year. They obviously had one of the best runs in US Soccer this year in the CONCACAF championships this winter. So we know they are a great team," said Manny Lagos, Minnesota's President and Director of Soccer Operations. "This is going to be a challenge. We had a positive result last week. We obviously would have liked the three points but the team played really well. I think they are going to use the energy and carry it into the game this Sunday."

Minnesota is still not playing with a full roster but most of the gaps are filled. Defender/Midfielder Rich Costanzo is still out with a dislocated elbow. Defender/Midfielder Kevin Friedland is also out with an injured hamstring.

Thunder season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased for as little as $65. Fans can choose from flex ticket options that allow the use of any number of tickets for any game, or fans can choose their specific seat for each and every game. In addition, the Thunder's new Shield Pass allows fans ages 3-18 to attend every single Thunder and Lightning game for just $20 for the season. With over a $200 value, the Shield Pass is the best sports ticket value in the Twin Cities. To purchase season tickets, please visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.294.4664.

Minnesota rookie Leonel Saint-Preux did not suit up for the Thunder last Saturday. Instead he laced up with the Haitian national team. The game was a CONCACAF friendly game against Jamaica. Saint-Preux helped Haiti finish the game in a 2-2 draw.

About the Islanders (2-3-0, 6 pts.):

The Puerto Rico Islanders is one of the USL first division teams that are based outside of the continental United States. The team plays in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium they play their home games in is Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. The team was established in 2003. Puerto Rico's roster is full of players from around the world from USA to Uruguay to Italy and of course, Puerto Rico.

The Islanders' previous game was a loss to the Portland Timbers. Puerto Rico lost the game at home with a score of 2-1. Before the Islanders come to Minnesota they make a stop in Austin, TX. The game with the Aztex is on Friday, May 29 and they continue to travel north to Minnesota.

The head coach of the Islanders is Colin Clarke. He has a well established career in the sport. He has played on a series of teams including a nine year stint on the Northern Ireland national team. In 1998, he started coaching teams and he has been with the Islanders for three years.

Islanders' forward Nick Addlery, forward/midfielder John Krause and defender Cristian Arrieta are leading the team with four points each. John Krause and Cristian Arrieta have both played in seven games. Nick Addlery managed to get his four points in just five games.

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USL First Division Stories from May 26, 2009


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