In front of over 5,000 fans, the Thunder ended their home season with a disappointing and bad spirited 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers last night.

The cards flew freely in the match as referee Brian D’Amato offered the fans one of the worst displays of refereeing in recent memory. Missing several high boots, calling nonexistent fouls, while missing obvious ones and only giving cards for dissent were among his many faults. Don’t mistake this for partisan whining, both teams had many legitimate grounds for complaint.

The Thunder began the match very poorly, with Brian Roberts in particular having several bad touches. The whole team, however seemed to be slow and were lucky not end the half down by more than one. As it was, in the 19^th minute, Portland took advantage of a Thunder breakdown, a ball flighted over the top was over the head of Dustin Branan, and Brian Roberts lunged wildly at the ball, missing it and allowing Alan Gordon to shoot at Joe Warren who managed to touch the ball around the post. However, on the ensuing corner, Alex Bengard sent a long cross far post, where an unmarked Byron Alvarez headed the ball into the net.

Other incidents in the first half were mainly missed and invented fouls, and arguing as a result, meaning that the referee felt the need to resort to issuing cards to try to retain control of the players. The only other thing worth mentioning after this horrible half is Marco Ferruzzi’s injury. The Thunder captain began hobbling and holding his hamstring after making a long sprint in the 39^th minute, and was replaced by Jeff Matteo at half time.

The second half was much better for the Thunder, as Buzz seemed to have ripped into his team in the locker room. Pressure and possession culminated in the 60^th minute as Jay Alberts broke down the right side and crossed low for Melvin Tarley. Somehow the ball didn’t end in the net, and for the fifth time, fans and players wondered how, until the referee pointed to the spot. He didn’t stop there, as he raised his red card for Lee Morrison who had tackled Tarley from behind in the box. Portland protested for several minutes and were lucky not to get another card for their extended arguing. When finally allowed to, Johnny Menyongar coolly finished to Josh Saunders’ right.

Ten Minutes later, Melvin Tarley would put the Thunder up, as a long ball into the box was touched town by Alberts again, and Tarley touched the ball over the advancing Saunders and into the net.

With the man advantage, things looked good for the Thunder, but a bizarre foul was called on the edge of the box in the 85^th minute and Hugo Alcaraz stepped up to swerve the free-kick over the wall and into the net past a seemingly bamboozled Joe Warren.

Only moments into the first overtime, Scot Thompson raced forwards and into the Thunder half of the field unopposed. Brent Jacquette raced back towards him, and grabbed his shirt. Thompson continued towards the penalty area anyways, but upon getting closer to the box, he flopped down theatrically. The referee once again drew his red card for the last defender and the teams would finish the match 10 on 10. Both teams had decent opportunities in the remainder of the overtime period, but neither could get the game winner and the match ended 2-2.

One more note of importance: Castellanos looked to be very fired up for this match. He got into it with Lee Morrison when the Timbers back tackled him hard shortly after having come in, and turned his attentions to Jeff Matteo when his teammate tried to calm him down and get him focused back on the game. Hopefully this was a one-time occurrence, but after a similar problem against Vancouver last game, I begin to worry.

Outside Match Reports:

Minneapolis Star Tribune

St Paul Pioneer Press Blurb

Minnesota Thunder Home Page

Portland Timbers Home Page

The Oregonian has no story on the match