Thunder to close out season with trips to Rochester, Toronto

September 8, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, September 8, 2006)- The Minnesota Thunder will try to end 2006 on a high note, with two road games to close out the season. The Thunder will face the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Saturday, September 9 at 6:35 p.m. at PAETEC Park and the Toronto Lynx on Sunday, September 10 at 5 p.m. at Centennial Stadium. Fans can visit www.uslfans.com to listen to Saturday's game live.

Both Rochester and Toronto are on undefeated streaks, with each team's most recent loss coming to the Thunder in St. Paul. Minnesota defeated Toronto 3-0 on August 10 and beat Rochester 1-0 on August 13.

About the Thunder

Minnesota (7-13-6, 27 points) was eliminated from the USL First Division playoff race with last weekend's loss to Puerto Rico. The Thunder are now tied with the Portland Timbers for 11th place in the league standings. The road has been brutal for Minnesota, as it has gone 0-3-1 in four away games after stringing together four consecutive wins. Forward Nathan Knox leads the Thunder with five goals and four assists for 14 points. Fellow frontrunner Leo Gibson is close behind with four goals and 11 points. Also of note offensively is forward Ansu Toure, who has four goals and eight points in just eight games with the Thunder. Goalkeeper Joe Warren has started 21 games, posting a goals against average of 1.428 with four shutouts.

About the Raging Rhinos

Rochester (12-4-10, 46 points) clinched a playoff spot with a 2-0 home victory over the Virginia Beach Mariners on Friday. The Raging Rhinos are currently in second place in the USL First Division, one point ahead of the third-place Charleston Battery. Rochester has not lost in five games, the last coming on August 13 against the Thunder. The Raging Rhinos also play their best soccer at home, as they have only lost once at PAETEC Park. Forward Matthew Delicate leads the Raging Rhinos with eight goals and 19 points, while John Ball and former Thunder player Johnny Menyongar each have 10 points. Goalkeeper Scott Vallow has played in every minute of every game for Rochester, and leads the league in wins (12) and shutouts (12).

About the Lynx

Toronto (7-12-7, 28 points) is currently in tenth place in the USL First Division. The Lynx began the 2006 season 0-9-2, not recording their first win until July 5 over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Toronto has played better of late, however, going 2-0-3 over its last five games. The Lynx are led by midfielder Jamie Dodds, who has six goals and four assists for 16 points. Other scoring threats are Kevin Jeffrey, who has 14 points, and Osni Neto, who has 10 points. Goalkeeper Theodosis Zagar has started in 20 games for Toronto, recording four shutouts with a goals against average of 1.393. Sunday's game against the Thunder will be the last of the season for the Lynx.




USL First Division Stories from September 8, 2006


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