Thunder travels to Miami, Puerto Rico looking to stay alive in playoff race

Published on August 31, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Thursday, August 31, 2006) - The Minnesota Thunder will try to get back on the winning track this weekend with two more road games after going 0-1-1 last weekend. On Friday, September 1 the Thunder will play Miami FC at 7 p.m. at Tropical Park Stadium. The Thunder will finish the weekend with a trip to Puerto Rico to take on the Islanders on Sunday, September 3 at 4 p.m. at Juan Ramon Stadium. Thunder 2006 Supporters Scarves are still on clearance for $10, and can be ordered on www.mnthunder.com

About the Thunder

Minnesota (7-11-6, 27 points) is tied for 10th place in the USL First Division Standings. With four games remaining, the Thunder still have an outside chance of qualifying for the postseason. Minnesota is coming off a rough weekend, losing 1-0 at Seattle on Friday and tying Vancouver 2-2 on Saturday getting its first points in Vancouver in over six years. The Thunder's loss to the Sounders ended their four-game winning streak. Midfielder Matt Schmidt tallied both assists against the Whitecaps as the Thunder rallied from a two-goal deficit, and was named to the USL First Division Team of the Week. Forward Nathan Knox leads the Thunder in scoring, with five goals and three assists for 13 points. Leo Gibson is also putting together a solid season, with four goals and three assists for 11 points in 15 games played. Ansu Toure, the newest addition to the Thunder, has scored three goals in six games.

About Miami FC

Miami (10-10-5, 35 points) is currently clinging on to fifth place in the USL First Division and a postseason spot. Seattle trails Miami by just one point, while Atlanta and Virginia Beach are each just one win away from tying Miami FC. Former Brazilian World Cup MVP and current Miami forward Romario is coming off a sensational weekend where he scored four goals and added an assist in two Miami wins. Romario was honored as the USL First Division Player of the Week, and he now trails Seattle's Cam Weaver by just one point in the USL scoring leader board. Miami has four other players with at least 10 scoring points: Marlo Rodriguez, Zinho Oliveira, Diego Walsh and Sean Fraser. Miami's last three games have all been played against the Atlanta Silverbacks, where Miami won two out of three.

About the Islanders

Puerto Rico (8-10-7, 31 points) is in ninth place in the latest league standings. The Islanders have not won in seven games, with their last victory coming on July 30 in a 1-0 road win over Miami FC. Puerto Rico is a much better team at home, posting a 6-3-2 record at Juan Ramon Stadium. Forward Alen Marcina is the Islander's top offensive producer, with 10 goals for 20 points. Midfielder Kormac Valdeberito-Gomez and Caleb Norkus are also scoring threats, with five and four goals, respectively. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has started all but two games in goal, and posts a goals against average of 1.296 with three shutouts.

Season Series

The Thunder have faced both Miami and Puerto Rico at home this season, and beat both teams. On June 11, the Thunder defeated Miami 4-1 at James Griffin Stadium, with midfielder Freddy Juarez picking up a goal and an assist. The Thunder beat Puerto Rico 3-1 on August 20. Terry Alvino, Nathan Knox and Leo Gibson all scored goals for Minnesota.

Up Next

The Thunder will conclude the 2006 regular season with two road games next weekend in hopes of making a final push for a playoff spot. On Saturday, September 9 the Thunder will face the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 6:35 p.m. at PAETEC Park. Minnesota will then travel to Toronto to play the Lynx on Sunday, September 10 at 5 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.


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USL First Division Stories from August 31, 2006


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