Sports stats



Thunder is Off to Rochester to Battle Rhinos Wednesday

August 16, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


AUSTIN, TX. (Sunday, August 16, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder could not log back to back wins but managed to earn a point from the Austin Aztex in a 2-2 draw. A major factor for the match was the heat. Although Austin is used to the conditions, each side wilted as the game progressed. Austin had the lead in the first half but Minnesota evened the score early in the second half. Austin reclaimed the lead in the 74th minute but a last minute header from Melvin Tarley provided the Thunder with a much needed equalizing goal.

The Austin Aztex gave the Thunder a scare in the 15th minute. Eddie Johnson accepted a through ball and blasted a shot toward the near post. Minnesota goalkeeper, Nic Platter, managed to get just enough of the ball to deflect the shot so it hit the post. The ball ricocheted and Michael Callahan attempted to put another shot on goal but the Thunder defense was able to clear the ball away from danger.

Platter prevented another scoring opportunity for the Aztex in the 26th minute. Eddie Johnson dished the ball off to Sullivan Silva in stride and ready for a shot. Platter saw the play develop and came out to address the advance. Just before the ball reached Silva, Platter snatched the ball away and broke up the play.

Jean Alexandre put the Aztex up by one in the 41st minute. Silva gave a one touch pass to Johnson in a similar fashion as Johnson's earlier try. Instead of shooting, Johnson passed the ball across the six yard line to Alexandre who slipped a shot past Platter for the only goal of the first half.

The first half was hard fought, not only against each other but also against the heat. The players were noticeably fatigued due to the grueling conditions and it affected both teams. Possession changed hands readily with the numerous offsides calls and much of the first half play was concentrated in the middle third. The Thunder went into the locker room after the first half looking for changes to allow opportunities to even the score and the Aztex is aiming to maintain the lead.

Minnesota came out of the gates in the second half with an early goal in the 53rd minute. Leonel Saint-Preux had the ball and placed it perfectly for Melvin Tarley, who seemingly came out of nowhere, giving Tarley a perfect opportunity. Tarley took the ball in stride and ended the chance by depositing the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer.

Silva helped Austin reclaim the lead in the 74th minute. Silva was 20 yards out on the left side of the pitch when he approached the net. He cut back toward midfield and ripped a shot that fell inside the far post for the second goal of the match.

Tarley nearly scored a second goal of the match in the 80th minute. He beat the defenders that were marking him and he tried to finish his play with a low shot. Austin keeper Nick Nobel fell to his knees in the 6 yard box to make the save and keep the lead.

Minnesota tied up the score for the second time in the 89th minute. Ricardo Sanchez drove a corner kick into the box toward the far side of the goal. Melvin Tarley managed to get his head on the ball and redirect it past Nobel for his second goal of the match.

The Aztex were not able to claim the lead again by the blow of the final whistle and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Minnesota's record for this road trip is now 1-1-1. Without three point matches, The Thunder's playoff hopes are slipping away. The Thunder gets only two days of rest before they take on the Rhinos in Rochester on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. The match can be viewed for free at www.usllive.com. Minnesota will return to Blaine on Thursday, August 27 at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Cleveland City Stars.



USL First Division Stories from August 16, 2009


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.

Other Recent Minnesota Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central