Thunder Hit Road for Important Two Games

Published on May 14, 2003 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Wednesday, May 14, 2003) – The Minnesota Thunder open a two-game road trip Friday, May 16th (kickoff 7 p.m. CT) against the Milwaukee Wave United at Uilhein Soccer Park, before traveling to Cincinnati Sunday, May 18th (kickoff 3:05 p.m. CT) for an afternoon showdown with the central division leading Riverhawks.

Friday's match, televised nationally on Fox Sports World, will mark Milwaukee's first outdoor game in franchise history. Sunday's match is the second leg of the two-game, total goals series to advance to the U.S. Open Cup round of 32.

The Wave United roster feature's 16 players with professional experience, including six players from the Rampage's 2002 roster, and six players from the Wave's Major Indoor Soccer League team. The roster also includes former Thunder defender/midfielder Matt Schmidt, and Anoka native twins Todd and Troy Dusosky.

The Thunder and Milwaukee rivalry is one of the A-League's most historic match-ups. The teams squared off on 48 occasions with the Thunder having the upper-hand in the series 34-11-3.

The Thunder (2-0-1) will have little rest following Friday's tilt as they will travel to Cincinnati for a match-up against the Riverhawks at Town and Country Sports Complex. The Riverhawks (3-0-2) will also be coming off a Friday night road match as they face the Indiana Blast.

The Thunder must win or tie Sunday to advance in the Open Cup. The Thunder beat the Riverhawks 1-0 on a Johnny Menyongar goal in the 56th minute at the Metrodome May 4th. A one-goal Thunder loss would force a penalty kick shootout to determine the Open Cup bid.

Cincinnati will play without the services of Philippe Godoy and Jeremie Piette, both regular starters. Godoy was suspended one game for inappropriate play. Piette will be serving the first of a three game suspension for violent conduct. Both offenses occurred last weekend against El Paso.

The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the Western Conference of the 19-team A-League. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling 763-785-3668.

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