USL D1 - July 14 - Minnesota vs Vancouver [R]

[DJT]

 

Minnesota Thunder (2-5-7, 11 pts, 11th place) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (6-8-4, 26 pts, 2nd place)

Friday, July 14, 2006 - 5:00 PM PDT / 7:00 PM CDT

James Griffin Stadium (Sprinturf), St. Paul

Television:

Comcast Minnesota

Radio, audio Webcast:

AM730 Vancouver

Pre-match articles from the last few days:

[*] Thunder Hosts First-Place Vancouver on Friday - Minnesota Thunder, July 11

 

[DJT]

Final:

Minnesota 1 Vancouver 2

22' VAN Anthony Noreiga

80' VAN Steve Kindel

90' MIN Matt Schmidt

Whitecaps match report:

WHITECAPS WIN 2-1 OVER THUNDER

July 14, 2006 - Minnesota Thunder 1

Vancouver Whitecaps 2

Friday, July 14, 2006

James Griffin Stadium, St Paul, MN (attendance: 3,412)

Overview:

The Whitecaps closed out a run of four straight road games with a win, as they defeated the Minnesota Thunder 2-1. The Caps got goals from defenders Anthony Noreiga and Steve Kindel, before Minnesota got on the board late. The win gives the Whitecaps sole possession of first place, two points up on Rochester and three ahead of Montreal.

Vancouver's record improves to 7W-4L-28T for 29 points. Minnesota falls to 2-8-5 for 11 points, and remains in 11th place.

The Whitecaps now return home to face the Montreal Impact on Sunday, July 16, in a 7:00 p.m. start at Swangard Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

22' Vancouver Anthony Noreiga (Joey Gjertsen)

Martin Nash's corner kick was partially cleared but fell to Gjertsen who quickly crossed the ball back in to defender Anthony Noreiga who scored with a powerful header. The ball took a deflection off a Minnesota player, but the goal was awarded to Noreiga for his first as a Whitecap.

80' Vancouver Steve Kindel (Dave Morris)

Morris made a good break on the right, playing a one-two with new signing Gary Brooks, and then firing the ball on net; it was fumbled by goalkeeper Joe Warren to Steve Kindel whose shot deflected high into the air before dropping into the goal. It was Kindel's third goal of the season.

90' Minnesota Matt Schmidt (Leo Gibson)

Gibson's clever back-heel at the top of the box put Schmidt in on goal and he fired it past goalkeeper Tony Caig.

Game Notes:

Whitecaps forward David Testo was buzzing in the first half. He produced a good turn and shot at 7' but goalkeeper Joe Warren was there to make the save. At 14' Testo showed a good burst of speed to break into the box, but wasn't able to poke it past the onrushing keeper. Finally at 24', Testo was set up with a good cross by Martin Nash, but volleyed well over the bar.

Minnesota thought they had equalised at 40' when top scorer Melvin Tarley broke in, rounded goalkeeper Tony Caig, and hit the empty net, but was then disappointed to see the assistant referee flagging for offside.

Minnesota defender Chad Dombrowski had a couple of chances to equalise. He had a shot on target at 40' but was stopped by goalkeeper Tony Caig, and had another effort at 54' blocked by defender Anthony Noreiga.

Leading 1-0, Vancouver had several chances in the second half to add an insurance goal. Joey Gjertsen made a good run at 63' but fired wide, and at 76' a thumping free kick from John Jones but it was stopped by goalkeeper Joe Warren.

Making his debut for the Whitecaps was newly signed 25-year-old Jamaican striker Gary Brooks who subbed in at 67'. He nearly scored at 86', as he showed good speed to out-race his marker and get in on goal, but fired over the bar.

Martin Nash has played in 55 consecutive games for Vancouver spanning three seasons. Last year, Steve Kindel ran a consecutive game streak to 58.

This was Steve Kindel's 12th game winning goal of his career. Only Jason Jordan (20), John Catliff (27), and Domenic Mobilio (41) have more.

Minnesota are winless in their last seven games.

Vancouver Whitecaps: 1.Tony Caig - 4.Adrian Cann, 12.Geordie Lyall, 22.John Jones, 25.Anthony Noreiga - 2.Jeff Clarke (19.Sita-Taty Matondo 86'), 6.Jay Alberts (20.Dave Morris 57'), 7.Martin Nash (14.Tony Donatelli 57'), 8.Steve Kindel - 17.Joey Gjertsen (16.Gary Brooks 67'), 11.David Testo (33.Ryan Suarez 78')

Minnesota Thunder: 23.Joe Warren - 2.Brett Branan, 5.Chad Dombrowski, 13.Dustin Branan (26.Terry Alvino 84'), 25.Brian Kallman (25.Zafer Kilickan 78') - 3.Freddy Juarez, 11.Godfrey Tenoff, 19.Kiki Lara (9.Aaron Paye 59'), 21.Matt Schmidt - 10.Nathan Knox (14.Leo Gibson 45'), 18.Melvin Tarley

Shots: Vancouver 10 Minnesota 9

Saves: Vancouver 7 Minnesota 5

Fouls: Vancouver 9 Minnesota 10

Offside: Vancouver 4 Minnesota 2

Corner Kicks: Vancouver 1 Minnesota 3

Referee: Brad Clem

Cautions

Vancouver: Anthony Noreiga 38', John Jones 69', Gary Brooks 90'

Minnesota: Brett Branan 90'