Thunder needs crucial points in weekend road trip

Published on September 2, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, September 2, 2005)-For the Minnesota Thunder to keep its 2005 playoff hopes alive, it must get some crucial points on the road this weekend in its two-game trip to Canada. The Thunder (6-9-10, 28 pts.) is currently in tenth place, but sits only four points out of the sixth and final playoff spot.

"The race for that final playoff spot is extremely close this year," said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "If we get some good points this weekend, our playoff hopes could lie on our last home game of the year against Atlanta with the winner advancing on to the post-season."

The Thunder will travel to Montreal on Sunday, September 4 to the play the Impact (16-2-7, 55 pts.) who have already clinched a playoff spot and the regular season title. The Impact has been extremely solid on both ends of the field this season scoring 35 goals and only allowing 14. The Impact is led offensively by forward Mario Biello who has tallied a team-high eight goals and has also notched three assists. The defending goalkeeper of the year, Greg Sutton of Montreal, is leading the league with a goals-against-average of .500.

The Thunder has had one contest against the Impact this season at home on July 15 that resulted in a 1-1 draw LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel. Jay Alberts scored the loan goal for the Thunder on a rocket shot from 18 yards out.

On Labor Day, the Thunder will head to Toronto to take on the Lynx (3-13-8, 17 pts.) who currently sit in last place in the 12-team league. However, the Lynx came to St. Paul on June 24 and beat the Thunder on its home turf by a score of 2-1 to pick up its first win of the season.

The Thunder will then return home for its last regular season game on September 10 at 7:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Silverbacks. This game could have huge playoff implications as both teams are fighting for the final playoff spot.

This game will also mark the last regular season game for Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos who will step aside as head coach after the season. Coach Lagos would like to invite anybody that he has come in contact with over the years to join him at this game for Buzz Lagos "Family and Friends" night. The first 2,000 fans at the game will receive a limited edition Buzz Lagos autograph card courtesy of the Pioneer Press.

The Thunder's annual player jersey auction will also take place this night, giving fans a chance to bid on their favorite player's autographed game worn jersey. The bidding will begin one hour prior to kickoff and will close at the end of half-time.

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