Thunder Hold on to Tie Vancouver 0-0
Published on September 8, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, Canada (September 7, 2008)- The Minnesota Thunder held on to tie the Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 Sunday night, as they earned one more point to help them advance toward their fight for the playoffs. After a very physical match on both ends, both teams came out with a point, making their record for this season 1-1-1 between the two teams.
The game started in favor of the Whitecaps, who dominated the Thunder defense in the first 15 minutes of the game. The Thunder stepped up and countered in the 11th minute off a clear from the defense. Leading scorer for the Thunder Melvin Tarley sent a ball across the penalty area to the far post, finding Nathan Knox who stretched to save it off the line but couldn't quite get it fast enough.
In the 22nd minute, Nic Platter earned his first of five saves in tonight's game. Alfredo Valente sent a cross to Justin Moose who headed the ball on net. Platter was there to stop it on the goal line before it crossed into the net.
Tonight's game was a true test of the Thunder's defense. After Andres Arango was ejected from the game in the 41st minute, the Thunder had to play a man down and their defense had to be at the top of their game. Newly aquired Mark Schulte stood out for the Thunder tonight, blocking shots from every angle, and keeping the ball out of danger for the Thunder.
Steve Kindel and Eduardo Sebrango were the Thunder's biggest threat tonight. In the 83rd minute Kindel sent a ball on goal that was headed out by John Greenfield. The clearance was volleyed back in by Nick Addlery, going just over the Thunder goal.
The Thunder's best chance at a goal came in the 89th minute when Stephen deRoux sent a ball over to Luchi Gonzalez. Gonzalez went on a run into the penalty box but was taken out by a Vancouver defender. The Thunder received no penalty kick, adding to the frustration of an already physical game.
The Thunder kept attacking, trying to find a last minute goal for a needed three points. In the 94th minute, the Thunder had their best chance all game. DeRoux sent a pass across the box to Brian Cvilikas who one timed the ball far post, hitting the post and just missing the Vancouver goal. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, giving the Thunder a hard fought one point and Platter his sixth shut out of the season.
"Tonight was a hard one to swallow. Our men played very well for 45 minutes for being a man down. We hit the post in the extra time, but I thought our team deserved three points tonight. We will start preparing for Charleston on Tuesday," said interim head coach Donny Gramenz.
The Thunder return home to host the Charleston Battery on September 13 and the Montreal Impact on September 20. For tickets call 651.989.5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
USL First Division Stories from September 8, 2008
- Impact score 2-0 win over Portland - Montreal Impact
- Timbers End Road Trip With 2-0 Loss In Montreal - Portland Timbers
- Silverbacks Invite the City's Best to 2008 Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Thunder Hold on to Tie Vancouver 0-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Extra man not enough in 'Caps' draw - Vancouver Whitecaps
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