Thunder Thrash Fire PDL 4-0, Will Now Host MLS KC Wizards
The Minnesota Thunder seem to be gaining momentum and breaking out of the team’s dismal start. The Thunder defeated the Chicago Fire PDL team 4-0 on a rain-soaked Tuesday evening that saw Brian Cvilikas continue his hot streak with another goal. The win means the Thunder will now host the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer June 30, after advancing to the third round of the US Open Cup.
The Thunder forward scored the second goal of the evening for the team in the 39th minute when a ball deflected out to right back Andres Arango. Arango had made a support run up the field. When the ball came to Arango, it took a bit of a hop in front of him as he attempted to trap it with the wet surface. Instead of laying the ball out for a cross, Arango used the ball’s bounce perfectly and half-volleyed the ball with the outside of his foot driving an outswinger into the box. The Fire PDL defender couldn’t get to the ball but the on-rushing Cvilikas did, driving the ball into the back of the net.
Cvilikas scored 2-goals last Tuesday evening in the Thunder’s victory over another US Open Cup opponent, Nebraska 402. Then he had another brace on Sunday’s defeat of the Carolina RailHawks which was the Thunder’s first league victory of the year. With last night’s goal, Cvilikas has now scored 5 goals in 3 games.
Leonel Saint-Preux started the scoring for the Thunder in the 23rd minute. The Minnesota forward was active all night long and giving the Fire fits down the touchline as he often played wide in the Thunder’s new 3-forward formation. He finished a play created by Rod Dyachenko. Dyachenko drove deep into the Fire end and sent a driving cross into the box. Saint-Preux slid to get the ball, thrusting the ball and himself into the net on the slick turf.
Melvin Tarley subbed in for Brian Cvilikas in the second half and played an inspired half of soccer. Tarley scored one of the most beautiful goals of the season for the Thunder in the 78th minute. Andrew Peterson drove into the Fire’s defensive third, taking on several players and playing a one-two with Sanchez. He then struck a perfect low ball into the goalbox to Tarley who exploded from his target position with a perfect touch to the left. Tarley made no mistake with his second touch either, crushing the ball into the back of the net and past Fire Keeper Schwarz.
Tarley’s inspired play was rewarded again as he capped off his evening as well as the Thunder’s scoring blitz by knocking in another ball on a header in the 82nd minute from a driven corner served by Dyachenko. Dyachenko had 2 assists on the night and Tarley the brace.
Starting Lineups:
Minnesota: Platter, Arango (Kallman, 45), Clements, Greenfield, Peterson, Olum, Bass, Sanchez, Dyachenko, Cvilikas (Tarley, 63), Saint-Preux
Chicago: Schwarz, Sinovic, Ream, Ruthven, Rice, Morrow (Cutshaw, 53), Braun, Campbell (Garcia, 67), Millien, Adlard (Gehrig, 82), Akpan
Scoring Summary
MIN: Saint-Preux, 23
MIN: Cvilikas, 39
MIN: Tarley, 78
MIN: Tarley, 82
Game Statistics
Minnesota: Shots 14, Fouls 7, Offsides 1, Corners 7
Chicago: Shots 6, Fouls 2, Offsides 4, Corners 1
Goalkeeper Statistics
Platter (Minnesota): Shots faced 7, Saves 7, Goals Allowed 0
Schwarz (Chicago): Shots faced 8, Saves 4, Goals Allowed 4
Cautions:
MIN: Clements, 41
MIN: Dyachenko, 68
CHI: Adlard, 79
Ejections:
Attendance:
359
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Good for the Thunder, they beat a bunch of college kids in front of 350 fans.
Will any of the US Open games be on TV in any way going forward from the third round on? I would of been at the game last night but didn’t want to be in that downpour of a rain that was going on. At least there was the internet radio broadcast but it would of been nice to of had the North Metro TV broadcast. Its not like as if North Metro TV had anything BETTER on… but I guess they would rather show talking heads that nobody watches over soccer.
First of all to Tom, you sound bitter. As I’m sure you know, this is the oldest sporting tournament in the US where the underdog has the chance to play the big dogs and eek out a win occasionally. I’m sure your familiar with the FA Cup. Several years ago a team full of university students worked their way up to play Chelsea. Chelsea had to play away at this little rutted field where the stands held maybe several thousand supporters. It was fantastic and Chelsea didn’t really dominate until late in the game. But then again, what’s the big deal with an EPL team beating up on a college team.
Brian, there are a lot things that go into those decisions. I understand that only two games were allowed on USL-Live last night. I’m not even sure why. Secondly, I am very late in getting a story out about North Metro TV. They do a fine job but it takes about 11 or 12 people to make that happen and is very expensive and they are actually losing money right now televising the Thunder games. So I’m not sure that’s in the budget. You may be stuck with me doing color commentary with an audio broadcast again for the next round but hopefully the team can work something out. Also, I don’t know if there will be any contractual problems with televising a game with an MLS team? I’ll make sure to let you know what the team can work out. I will say that the few that showed up in the rain had a pretty good time last night and but for about a 10 min. span, the rain wasn’t really that bad.
Dont hate Tom! They just beat #2 carolina railhawks, and are off to a great start to the us cup.
Not bitter, just a bit (too) skeptical. Let’s hope the Open Cup and the Carolina win are a springboard to better things to come!
Fair enough Tom. The team has been pretty poor this season, but watching them in person the last several games, they are playing a much different looking brand of football. Much fewer mistakes, playing with more confidence and a much better attitude. It’s nice to see because even in the close games earlier this year there was always this sinking feeling that somehow they would give it up at the end.