Thunder lose on the Road to Islanders

The Minnesota Thunder Lose 3-1 to the Puerto Rico Islander in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on a waterlogged Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

The Minnesota Thunder headed into Saturday evening’s game with the Islanders coming off a nice 3-0 victory at home on Thursday evening against the Cleveland City Stars. Minnesota entered Saturday’s game with only one road win in the 2009 season, something they needed to change if the team still had playoff hopes. At the end of 90 minutes nothing changed for Minnesota, either in points, away wins or their chances for the playoffs as Minnesota fell to their Island opponents who dominated most of the game.

With the win and just 2 weeks left in the USL-1 season, Puerto Rico gained 3 valuable points, bringing them within 1 pt of the Charleston Battery, who sit in third place with 44 points. The Carolina RailHawks are in 2nd with 48 pts and the Portland Timbers have 52 points and sit in 1st place.

On the other end of the table, Minnesota remain in 9th placed with 23 pts and are left with a near impossible task of catching up to Vancouver who hold the 7th and final playoff spot. The Whitecaps are sitting on 32 pts, while slumping Miami FC is at 25 pts and in 8th place.

Minnesota got off to an early lead last night with a goal by Melvin Tarley in the 7th minute of play. That goal would hold until the 40th minute when Nicholas Addlery broke down the right flank and drove a ball past Minnesota keeper Nic Platter.

Even though sloppy conditions persisted in the 2nd half, Puerto Rico still managed to control the majority of the game and snatched the game winner on a goal by Sean Fraser in the 65th minute of play.

The Islanders finished off the Thunder with a controversial penalty kick decision in the 90th minute. Cristian Arrieta stepped up to take it and slotted the ball past Patter.

The Thunder will return home to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps Friday, September 4th at the National Sports Center. Kick off is set for 7:00pm.