A crowd of 3,312 watched the Minnesota Thunder snatch their first win of the season Sunday night with a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Godfrey Tenoff capitalized on a poor clearance from Whitecaps keeper Josh Wicks to send in a 30 yard shot for the game’s only goal. However, the Thunder might have opened the scoring as early as the third minute. Johnny Menyongar had the ball in the back of the net following a Freddy Juarez cross, but the flag was up for offsides before the celebrations could get going.

The teams traded chances for most of the first half, Tarley, Matteo and Tenoff firing wide for the Thunder while Alfredo Valente, and Joey Gjertson were guilty of squandering chances for the Canadians.

In the 19^th minute, Gjertson burst through the defense and skipped past Warren, but his shot was weak enough that a sprining Brett Branan was able to catch up to it and clear for a corner.

A few minutes later, the Thunder would take the lead, when a through ball to Melvin Tarley saw the goalkeeper leave his area to clear in front of the Liberian forward, but his clearance fell straight to Godfrey Tenoff who calmly took a touch and sent the ball into the net just over the head of the defender racing back to try to cover his keeper’s error.

Looking to quickly respond, Jason Jordan raced in to the Thunder area, but Branan stood Jordan could manage only a weak shot directly Joe Warren. Shortly thereafter, Kevin Friedland would leave the field with what appeared to be a calf strain. He will hopefully manage to shake off the injury quickly with the long road trip ahead of the team.

Johnny Menyongar and Whitecaps captain Jeff Clarke were lucky not to leave the field injured as well when they collided in the 40^th minute. There didn’t seem to be any foul, just two players going in strongly for the ball, and both were down for some time. Menyongar, though the infringer according to the referee, came out the worse for it, and to make matters worse had to wait for a strangely long time for permission to reenter the field.

Taking advantage of the extra man, Vancouver pressured, and Jordan’s shot from inside the six yard box was saved by Warren, even after he and his defenders had collided in trying to clear a high ball. The confusion wasn’t punished this time, but better teams will certainly take advantage of such lapses.

The half ended with Jeff Matteo shooting wide from a wonderful full-team passing sequence eventually setting up the New York native at the top of the box.

The second half began with a bang as Geordie Lyall hacked down Jeff Matteo well behind the play, getting no more than a warning from the referee. A few moments later, Josh Wicks reprised his role in the first half-goal as Warren’s long clearance saw Johnny Menyongar flying in on him and the keeper cleared the ball to the opposition again, but this time Jay Alberts’ shot was about a foot high.

Joe Warren’s distributing seemed to be a bit off as in the 59^th minute his pass to Mike Wilson was well short, allowing Jason Jordan another chance, but the USL First Division goalscoring leader could only manage to shoot wide.

Responding immediately, Jeff Matteo sent a ball over the top to Melvin Tarley, but his shot, like Jordans skittered wide.

Jordan continued to threaten, though, as first he twisted and turned at the top of the box, firing a weak shot at Warren again, and then was stonewalled by Warren at point blank range. Flying down to the other end following Warren’s save, Melvin Tarley was taken down by Josh Wicks just outside of the penalty area. The ball rolled wide of the net, and the referee inexplicably waved play on.

Vancouver was pushing, however, making for a tense final fifteen minutes of the match. Marty Nash wasted several well-placed free kicks, and a lot of good build up play was wasted by both sides.

In the 80^th minute, Brett Branan took a throw in and received the ball back. About 25 yards out and on the sideline, he sent a rocket directly on goal, which shocked Wicks, and he only managed to save it with his stomach. The defense cleared, but directly back to Branan again, but this time the defender’s shot was well over the net.

With time running down, the Whitecaps held possession, but couldn’t find a way through the defense, and the Thunder threatened greatly on the breakaway. Jay Alberts, Melvin Tarley and Aaron Paye all looking likely to score.

In stoppage time, Jordan got one last chance for Vancouver, but he was well stopped by Joe Warren. Warren threw the ball down field and Matt Schmidt was checked by Kevin Harmse, who received the only card of the game. The free kick was taken quickly and Melvin Tarley was in alone against Josh Wicks, but could only shoot right at the keeper as the referee blew for full time.

A hard-fought and well deserved win for the Thunder, and revenge for the loss in the playoffs last year. Next up for the boys is a brutal road trip to Puerto Rico, Charlston and Atlanta before the next home game June 11 against Charleston. See you there.

Player Ratings:

Warren – 7

Several Good saves, but occasionally shaky with his feet.

Branan – 7

Goal line clearance, as well as several sprints forward to win headers at the halfway line.

Juarez – 6.5

Held the midfield together well, but was put under pressure too often by teammates.

Brunt – 6

Few forays forward, but generally strong in defense.

Friedland – 5

Little impact before injury forced his withdrawal. Hope he’s back soon.

Matteo – 6.5

Good control in the middle of the park, but often had too few options. Free kicks were disappointing.

Menyongar – 7

Looked sharp and dangerous

Tenoff – 7

After a few shaky passes, picked himself up with the confidence of the goal and looked strong in the center of the park.

Alberts – 6

Quiet evening for Jay. Few crosses, but worked hard and tracked back well.

Wilson – 6.5

Where did last season’s Wilson go? This year’s version is twice the player.

Tarley – 6

Squandered late breakaway, but worked hard and kept the defenders busy.

Subs:

Lara – 6. 5

Deputized well for injured Friedland.

Paye – 6.5

Hustled and harassed the defenders when he came on, even if he couldn’t hand-off the captain’s armband.

Schmidt – 5

Little or no impact. Apart from getting the card on Harmse I didn’t notice he was on the field.

Vorenkamp – 5

Like Schmidt, ten minutes of work in the defensive midfield doesn’t get you noticed, but no goals were conceded.