Thunder qualifies for U.S. Open Cup

Published on May 24, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, May 24, 2004) - With its 1-0 win on Friday and 0-0 draw on Saturday versus the Milwaukee Wave United, the Thunder has qualified for the U.S. Open Cup. The Thunder will enter the U.S. Open Cup in the third round and will face an opponent that will be determined in the second round of play on June 15. The Thunder qualified by winning the weekend series versus Milwaukee, eliminating the Wave United side from the U.S. Open Cup.

On Friday the Thunder and Wave United met at James Griffin Stadium for their first match of the season. Neither team was able to score through 90 minutes of regulation and the game went into overtime. After nearly 20 minutes of overtime play, it looked as though the first meeting between the two rivals would end in a draw. However, with just seconds left in the game the Thunder were awarded a corner kick that led to Chris Vorenkamp scoring the game-winning goal.

The two teams then traveled to Milwaukee and met at Uihlein Park. As was the case on Friday night, neither team was able to score in regulation and for the second night in a row the two teams battled in overtime. The game would end in a 0-0 draw. The weekend games leaves the Thunder's record at 3-1-2 (W-L-D), good enough for second place in the Western Conference

WARREN CONTINUES TO LEAD LEAGUE IN GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE

Joe Warren continues his dominance of A-League offenses. The Thunder goalkeeper recorded his fourth and fifth shutout of the season in Friday and Saturday night's contests versus the Milwaukee Wave United. The two shutouts gives him five shutouts in the Thunder's first six games. Warren currently leads the league in shutouts and goals against average (.29).

UPCOMING THUNDER MATCHES CRUCIAL

This upcoming weekend the Thunder travel to Edmonton to face the Aviators on Sunday, May 30. The Thunder defeated the Aviators 2-0 in their first game at James Griffin Stadium on May 15. The expansion Aviators currently have a record of 0-1-2 and are in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The Thunder's next home game is Wednesday, June 2 versus the Vancouver Whitecaps, the only team to beat the Thunder so far in 2004. The Whitecaps are currently in third place in the Western Conference and are only one point behind the Thunder for second place. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The first 5,000 fans to the game receive free ice cream courtesy of Ben & Jerry's.

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USL First Division Stories from May 24, 2004


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