Thunder Lose Home Opener – Sanchez Scores 2 but Vancouver’s Marlon James Scores 3
Lionel Saint-Preux attacks - Photo by Jeremy Olson, Digital Gopher
The MN Thunder lost their home opener last night 3-2 in a game which I attended. The match was entertaining but it saw Vancouver with the better scoring opportunities and too many second balls lost in the midfield as well as balls given away in places that were dangerous. The Thunder had a better second half with Sanchez scoring twice. Saint-Preux, Dyachenko and Sanchez all had good chances to score late in the game but none of the players were able to get it done. Sanchez almost had his third goal of the night on a scorching free kick in injury time that saw the ball strike the post. Marlon James for Vancouver is a horse, the guy is strong and fast and used both of those attributes for two of his three goals for the evening.
Beer garden called Thunder Lounge - Photo by Jeremy Olson, Digital Gopher
The beer garden seemed to be a big success with lots of supporters hanging out there throughout the game and for several hours after the game.
Attendance was 3,298, a little disappointing for a home opener but then again, considering that fact the team really didn’t do any marketing, it wasn’t too badly attended.
Vancouvers Whitecaps game report
Photo gallery by Jeremy Olson, Digital Gopher
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It was a tough loss for the Thunder. It was unfortunate that the choice was made by the defender to leave his feet in the penalty area. Well, less learned on his part.
At the same time, if the referee had swallowed his whistle that late in the game, I don’t think anyone would have been too upset based on the physical play that had happened throughout the game.
Brian – Keep up the great work on IMS ! The Minnesota soccer fans, from the U8 level to professional level, truly appreciate your dedication, time and effort to provide us with in-depth, interesting and informative stories and interviews that we may not otherwise be able to enjoy.
You are definitely uniting soccer fans in the state of Minnesota !
I have to agree with Chris. The referee had allowed rugby scrums throughout the match. The replay showed that the ostensible penalty was not worse than anything that had previously been allowed; to decide the match that way was really poor. Pick an approach and go with it – don’t change with two minutes to go at 2-2.
I’ll also agree with Chris on the keep up the great work kudos – it is appreciated.
One last thing, is Russell Herder the opening night kit sponsor or will they be there for the entire season? An advertising company advertising that way certainly is interesting.
Thanks guys!
I will check into the Russell Herder kit sponsor. I think it surprised all of us and we were all squinting to try to make out who it was when the team took the field. I thought it looked like the Saturn logo at first which made no sense with the state of the auto industry in the US. Russell Herder is the agency that worked with the Thunder this spring, doing a focus group amongst other things. I would imagine they did the opening day promotions.
It’s a good question, regarding if they will stay the sponsor or if it is temporary and I will try to find out.
As to the game, read David LaVaque’s Strib article linked above. I have to agree with Donny, that we are giving the ball away at stupid places and it was a midfield lapse that caused the lunge and the PK. It seems to me, the Thunder midfield is missing some fortitude.
Nice jerseys.