Minnesota Thunder News Release - www.mnthunder.com
ST PAUL, MN -- The Thunder defeated the El Paso Indios in their first game of the U.S Open Cup 3-2 at James Griffin on Tuesday.
The Thunder was coming off a hard weekend, losing to Vancouver and bounced back with a win. The Thunder will advance to play the winner of the California Victory vs. BYU Cougars game on June 26th at James Griffin.
The Indios came out onto the field hungry for a goal, scoring almost immediately after the whistle blew. In the 5th minute Marco Vidal was undefended outside the 18-yard box and hit a low ball past Platter, putting the Indios up early in the match.
Thunder forward Aaron Paye hit a ball too high in the 8th minute, hoping to counterattack the Indios early goal. Paye then received a ball from Leo Gibson, and attempted to chip it over the Indios keeper, Hernandez. Ansu Toure sent a ball to Godfrey Tenoff who headed the ball just over the goal, shutting down another opportunity for the Thunder. The Thunder ended the game with 15 shots, three of which ending in goals.
The Thunder got on the board in the 37th minute when Tenoff crossed to Jeremiah Bass who dove to head the ball past Hernandez. This was Bass’ second goal in the last three games, his first home goal of the season.
The Thunder scored again three minutes later in the 40th minute, putting them up 2-1 going into halftime. Tenoff got his second assist of the game after sending a ball to Darren Spicer who hit a low ball to the far right past Hernandez.
The Thunder came out strong in the second half, with Nic Platter getting his first win as a starting keeper. In the 63rd minute, Carrazco hit a shot almost out of Platters reach. Platter dove and saved it, keeping the Thunder with a 2-1 lead.
The Thunder secured their first home win after a goal by Leo Gibson in the 66th minute. Kevin Friedland took a throw-in, aiming for Gibson who chipped it over a surprised Indios keeper.
In the 77th minute, the Indios bounced back with another goal, looking to tie the game. Urbica Uglijesa chipped a ball looking for Joel Rios, but instead came to the feet of Spicer. Spicer hit the ball indirectly to Rios who put the ball past Platter, making the score 3-2. The Thunder held off the Indios, securing their first home win and first Open Cup win of the season.
The Thunder’s next home game will be a double header at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Saturday, June 16. The Lightning will kick off at 5:05 against the Fort Wayne Fever and the Thunder will follow at 7:35 against Miami FC.
