Thunder host first-place Vancouver Friday

July 11, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Tuesday, July 11, 2006) - The Minnesota Thunder has a chance for an upset win in returning home after a three-game road stint to host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday, July 14 at James Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. It will be the Thunder's first home league game since June 24.

Defender Dustin Branan Selected to All-Star Team

The Thunder are pleased to announce that defender Dustin Branan has been selected as a member of the 2006 USL First Division All-Star Team. The USL All-Star Game is set for Wednesday, July 19 when the All-Stars will face the English Coca-Cola Championship League side Sheffield Wednesday.

The game will be held in Cary, North Carolina at SAS Soccer Park and will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel at 7 p.m. The coaches for the team are Montreal's Nick DeSantis and Rochester's Laurie Calloway. The 18-player squad was selected by United Soccer Leagues in consultation with DeSantis and Calloway.

Branan has anchored the Thunder's defense the entire season. He returned to the Thunder this year after spending a year with the Kansas City Wizards. In 2004, he was named to the A-League First Team.

About the Thunder

The Thunder (2-7-5, 11 points) went 0-1-2 on their road trip from June 30- July 4, tying the Charleston Battery and Virginia Beach Mariners and falling to the Atlanta Silverbacks. Forward Melvin Tarley is tied for seventh in the league with four goals and two assists for 10 scoring points. Injured forward Nathan Knox has six points, while midfielders Terry Alvino and Kiki Lara each have five points.

About the Whitecaps

Vancouver (6-4-8, 26 points) currently stand as the first-place team in the USL First Division, with Rochester close behind with 24 points. The Whitecaps have gone winless in three straight road games, tying the Montreal Impact 1-1 on July 7 and losing to the Rochester Raging Rhinos and Toronto Lynx in consecutive games on July 3 and July 5. Forward Joey Gjertsen leads Vancouver with five goals and three assists for 13 points, which is fifth in the league.

Season Series

The Thunder and Whitecaps have faced each other twice already this season. On May 14, the Whitecaps beat the Thunder 3-0 at Swangard Stadium in Vancouver. On June 3, the two teams tied 1-1 at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul. After Friday, there will be one game remaining in the season series. On August 26, the Whitecaps will host the Thunder at 10 p.m.

Up Next

Friday marks the beginning of a four-game home stand for the Thunder. On Friday, July 21 the Thunder will host the Montreal Impact at 7:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium. On Thursday, July 27, the Thunder will face the Charleston Battery at 7:05 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine. For ticket information, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.



USL First Division Stories from July 11, 2006


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