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Geert? Lutz? Matteo!

Filed under: Imported

"I felt good," said [Jeff] Matteo, who played most of last season with Columbus of Major League Soccer. "It was a good start and a good crowd."

The announced attendance at yesterday's Thunder opener: 3,567.

Number of people actually in the stands: 17.

That might be something of an exaggeration, but the crowd seemed truly paltry in the vast confines of the Metrodome. (On the upside this made it quite easy to smuggle in cans of beer and drink them without fear of reprisal.)

Other than the dearth of fans, it was a promising start, particularly considering that the team was without midfielders Godfrey Tenoff and, most significantly, Marco Ferruzzi. Then again, their opposition was the rather pitiful Calgary Mustangs, who compiled an atrocious record of 4-21-3 last season and don't look to be much improved. The Thunder controlled play, outshot the opposition 11-6, and coasted to a 2-0 victory. (It should be noted that the Mustangs did excel at one facet of the game: they outfouled the Thunder by a margin of 19-11.) Minnesota's only tense moment came late in the first half when Mustang Geert Brusselers flopped in the box and was awarded a dubious penalty kick. But Thunder 'keeper Joe Warren restored justice by making a terrific diving save.

The match was a relatively stress-free way for Minnesota's overhauled roster (they started six new players) to dirty their cleats. Jeff Matteo was the real eye-opener. Just a few minutes into the match, the 23-year-old midfielder played a lovely ball over the top of the Calgary defense, freeing Marshall Morehead on the right flank. Unfortunately, Morehead completely skunked the opportunity, crossing the ball straight to a Calgary defender. Then in the 24th minute, Matteo set up Johnny Menyongar with a perfectly weighted through ball that the forward calmly deposited in the back of the net.

It was more Matteo after the break. A few minutes into the second half he took a free kick from just outside the penalty area and delivered a brilliant bending ball into the upper left-hand corner of the net. Mustang goalie Lutz Pfannenstiel could only watch it go by. Matteo exited a few minutes later to chants of his name (from at least five of us anyway).

The other newcomer who distinguished himself was defender Chris Brunt. The burly former Kansas City Wizard was a menace in the back, punishing the Mustang forwards each time they attempted to get past him. Brunt also proved surprisingly quick moving up the flank when the opportunity arose.

The Thunder play two road games before christening their new home, James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul on May 15th.

Posted by Paul Demko at April 26, 2004 3:55 PM

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