Thunder playoff tickets go on sale Tuesday

Published on August 30, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, August 30, 2004) -- The Minnesota Thunder defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-1 Saturday evening, clinching a spot in the A-league playoffs that begin this weekend. The Thunder will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal on Sunday, September 5 at James Griffin Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.

Ticket's will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31. Ticket prices are $20 for VIP, $15 for adult, and $10 for youth. Tickets are available by calling 651-917-TEAM or by visiting www.mnthunder.com

With the win the Thunder (45 points) leapfrogged the Sounders (43 points) for third place in the Western Conference, only behind Vancouver and Portland. The Thunder and Whitecaps will play a two-game, total goals series with the first game taking place in Vancouver on Friday, Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. (CDT). The team who scores the most goals combined in the two games will move on to the Western Conference finals.

The Thunder and Vancouver split their regular season meetings this season 2-2 with the home team winning every match. Two of the matches were decided in overtime and all four matches were decided by only one goal.

In the 2000 season, the Thunder met the Vancouver 86ers in the Conference Semifinal. In what is one of the greatest playoff comebacks in A-league history, the Thunder lost to Vancouver on the road 3-0, only to return home and win the second leg 3-0. In overtime the Thunder advanced to the Conference Final by scoring early in the first overtime winning by an aggregate score of 4-3.

The winner of Sunday's match will reach the conference finals the following weekend and will face the winner of the Seattle-Portland series. If the Thunder advances, then they would host a game on Sept. 11 (7 p.m.) or Sept. 12 (noon).

2. THREE THUNDER PLAYERS CALLED UP FOR NATIONAL TEAM DUTIES

The Minnesota Thunder announced today that Liberians Johnny Menyongar, Melvin Tarley, and Francis Doe have all been called up to play for the Liberian National Team for World Cup Qualifying. Liberia will face Zambia on September 4th in Lusaka, Zambia. All three players will miss the first playoff series against Vancouver, but will be available if the Thunder advances.

African World Cup qualifying is broken down into five groups, each consisting of six teams. The winner of each group will qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Liberia is in Group One and will face Congo, Senegal, Zambia, Togo and Mali on a home and away basis for a total of 10 games. After three games played, Liberia is tied for third in Group One with four points (1-1-1), trailing Congo and Senegal by two points.

Menyongar (14 pts) and Tarley (17 pts) are the two point leaders for the Thunder this season.

"We are excited that we have three members of the Thunder representing their country," said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "It is unfortunate that they will miss our first playoff series with Vancouver, but we have to respect the highest honor a soccer player can receive -- a call up from its national team."

3. THUNDER TO TRAIN TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

The Minnesota Thunder will train from 10 a.m. – noon on both Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in preparation for the playoff series this weekend. Training will take place at the Neiman Sports Complex located at Fort Snelling State Park, along State Highways 55 and 5, adjacent to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

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USL First Division Stories from August 30, 2004


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