Match reports from the Minnesota Thunder:


04/09/08 - Thunder Drops Preseason Friendly to William and Mary

WILLIAMSBURG, VA - The Minnesota Thunder dropped it's preseason friendly tonight to William and Mary College by a score of 3-1.  Several Thunder trialists started and played in tonight's game including the Thunder goalscorer Jerrod Laventure.  Many of the Thunder's off-season acquisitions did not play in tonight's match as the Thunder plays three preseason matches in a row Friday, Saturday, and Sunday against the Charlotte Eagles, Wilmington Hammerheads, and Carolina Railhawks respectively.

"It was a dispapointing performance after a good start to training camp," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee.  "We gave up three bad goals and were indecisive in front of the goal.  I wanted to take a good look at some of the players we have in camp that are unsigned still.  There is still a lot of work to be done but we will be ready before this weekend's games."

Thunder Starting Line-up:  Van Oekel; Pederson, Smith, Oliviera, Moran; Tarley, Dan O'Brien, Dayton O'Brien, Barron; Laventure, McCarty.  Subs:  Mallace, Kallman, Helm


04/11/08 - Thunder Creates Many Chances in 1-0 Preseason Friendly Loss to Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Minnesota Thunder created several chances tonight in a 1-0 loss to the Charlotte Eagles in a preseason friendly.  The Thunder's off-season acquisitions showed creativity and moments of genius in the Thunder attack, however, failed to capitalize on their many chances.

"Tonight was better all around," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee.  "We had some nice stretches but tired pretty quickly.  There are definitely some nice pieces to build on.  The next two days will be challenging but there will be exciting opportunities for guys to step up and impress."

Thunder midfielder Luchi Gonzalez left the game with a calf injury.  He is listed as day to day.

Thunder Starting Line up:  Platter; Friedland, Taylor, Kallman, Dombrowski; deRoux, Altman, Sanchez, Gonzalez; Paye, Marcina
Subs:  Laventure, Helm, Bass, Barron


04/12/08 - Thunder Draws 1-1 with Wilmington Hammerheads in Pre-Season Friendly

WILMINGTON, NC - The Minnesota Thunder played the Wilmington Hammerheads to a 1-1 draw this evening in North Carolina.  Former Thunder player Melvin Tarley scored the Thunder's goal.  Tarley is currently on trial with Minnesota hoping to earn a spot on the team after spending last season with the Puerto Rico Islanders and Miami FC.   The Thunder also hit the post in the first half and the cross bar in the second half in a game in which the controlled play.

"We continue to build on our fitness and mentality," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee.  "This was another step in the right direction.  This group of players really stepped up after an exhausting day of travel.  I like what I am seeing out of these guys."

Thunder Starting Line-up:  Van Oekel; Smith, Pederson, Bass; Mallace, Dan O'Brien, Oliviera, Gotsmanov, Moran; Helm, Tarley
Substitutions:  Laventure, Weiler, McCarty, Kallman



04/13/08 - Thunder Draws 1-1 With Carolina Railhawks in Pre-Season Friendly

CARY, NC - The Minnesota Thunder played the Carolina Railhawks to a 1-1 draw in its final preseason game down south before returning home on Monday.  New Thunder midfielder Andrew Barron scored the Thunder's goal in the 34th minute.

"This was a very good game for us," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee.  "We controlled the first 60 minutes and hung on the last 30 minutes as the travel and hard work wev'e done this past 10 days caught up to us.  Every game we have played while down here has been better"

"I was very pleased with the trip," continued Magee. "We accomplished a lot tactically and physically these past 10 days.  If we continue with this work and mentality, good things are in store for this group.  Stephen deRoux and Ricardo Sanchez both stood out in training and in games.  I thought our new players integrated very well with our returners."

Starting Line up:  Platter; deRoux, Tayloe, Altlam, Friedland; Sanchez, Bass, Barron Dayton O'Brien; Parcina Paye
Substitutions:  Tarley, Moran, Dan O'Brien, Weiler, Laventure

The season opening game in Thursday April 24 in Portland, followed by Saturday April 26 in Vancouver. Then the team comes back to St Paul for the first home game of the 2008 season on Sunday May 4 against their old nemesis Rochester.