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Thunder heads to Kansas City to take on familiar faces

August 23, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Tuesday, August 23, 2005)-The Minnesota Thunder will travel to take on the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer on Wednesday in a quarterfinal match-up of the U.S. Open Cup tournament. This match will be held at Park University in Parkville, Missouri at 7 p.m.

Former Thunder defenders Dustin Branan and Brian Roberts, both now with the Wizards, could see time against the Thunder as starting defenders Jimmy Conrad and Jose Burciaga are with the MLS All-star team that will take on Real Madrid on Tuesday as part of the 27th annual Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu.

"They are still going to be one of the toughest team we have faced all season," said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "The Wizards have a knack for scoring goals, but we feel we can match their production."

The Wizards are currently in second place in the Eastern conference of MLS (11-5-8, 41 pts.) They have scored a league-leading 43 goals this year and are led on the attack by forward Scott Sealy who has nine goals and two assists. Fellow forward Josh Wolff leads the team in assists with nine and has also added six goals for himself but could be held out of the game with a rib contusion.

The Wizards have been hot as of late since their smashing of the Des Moines Menace in the last round of the Open Cup by a score of 6-1. Since that match, the Wizards have won four straight.

Returning to Kansas City will be Thunder players Jay Alberts, Chris Brunt, and Kevin Friedland who have all spent time under coach Bob Gansler at the Wizards.

Branan has seen limited action for the Wizards this season, only logging one minute so far in 2005. Roberts has had a more active roll, logging 320 minutes and adding one assist.

The Thunder has had a successful run in the Open Cup tournament this season, beating Real Salt Lake (MLS) at home by a score of 6-4 and then running through the Colorado Rapids (MLS) at home off the foot of forward Melvin Tarley who scored all four goals for the Thunder in that match.

The winner of Wednesday's match will play the winner of the L.A. Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes. If the Thunder defeats the Wizards they will either travel to the Galaxy or will host the Earthquakes on September 14 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

The Thunder's next home game will be on Sunday, August 28 at 5:05 p.m. against the Richmond Kickers. Long-time Thunder player and current assistant coach Amos Magee will be inducted into the Thunder Hall of Fame at halftime. For tickets call 651-917-8326 or visit www.mnthunder.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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