Thunder Log First Road Victory of 2009 Campaign with 1-0 Win Over Miami FC Blues

August 14, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


MIAMI, FL. (Friday, August 14, 2009) - Minnesota walked into Miami and walked out with a 1-0 victory. This was the first win for the Minnesota Thunder while playing on the road and it could not have come at a better time. The Thunder are fully aware that their playoffs hopes are dependant on the outcome of their road trip and tonight they played as if they have already advanced. The Thunder will be riding the win into Sunday's match against the Austin Aztex.

Minnesota goalkeeper Nic Platter came up with a big save in the 13th minute. Miami had the ball near mid field on a free kick and they set up Tim Merritt perfectly for a header goal. Merritt got his head on the ball but Platter was there with quick reactions and deflected the ball to stop the advance.

In the 38th minute, Minnesota a solid chance at a goal but could not close. Rod Dyachenko had the ball on the right side of the box where he dumped it off to Brian Cvilikas for a one touch goal. Dyachenko's pass was on target and Cvilikas got his foot on the ball but the shot missed wide left.

Neither team managed to put a ball in the back in the net in the first 45 minutes of play but both teams were ready to come out after halftime and claim the lead.

Dyachenko took an ambitious shot in the 55th minute from 25 yards out. He had the ball with three Miami defenders closing in from all angles but they left a shooting lane open. Dyachenko read the situation correctly and made the only play he had. He blasted a shot but it sailed high.

Melvin Tarley missed an open net in the 67th minute. Tarley accepted a pass that Miami goalkeeper, Pat Hannigang, dove for but missed leaving the net unguarded. Tarley tried to send the ball to the back of the net but his shot did not fall on target and missed high and wide right.

Tarley redeemed himself in the 68th minute with the one and only goal of the match. Ricardo Sanchez sent in a free kick into the heart of the box from forty yards out. Tarley just barely got his head on the ball but it was enough to misdirect the shot past Hannigan for the go ahead goal.

Platter came up with another big save in the 73rd minute. Miami had the ball and was closing in on the box with the intention putting a shot on target. The try was point blank but Platter got his hands up in time and deflected the ball high. The attempt hit the cross bar and bounced out of bounds and out of danger.

"The team feels great about the win tonight," said Thunder Head Coach Donny Gramenz. "They know the three points were earned through hard work and organization. We need to build on what we accomplished tonight and get ready for Austin on Sunday."

Minnesota held onto the lead until the final whistle and logged their first road win of the 2009 campaign. The win came at a pivotal time in their season because playoffs are still within reach and as long the Thunder continues to win on the road they still have a chance to reach the USL First Division playoffs. The Thunder continues their road trip to on Sunday when they visit the Austin Aztex at 6:00 p.m. and will be back in the National Sports Center on August, 27 when they host the Cleveland City Stars.

For individual tickets to any Thunder home match, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or for group tickets call the Thunder office at 763.390.8336.



USL First Division Stories from August 14, 2009


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