« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

U.S. Open Cup

Filed under: Imported

The Minnesota Thunder play their first match of the U.S. Open Cup this evening at 7:05 p.m. at The Jimmy. Last year the Thunder advanced to the quarterfinals of the century-old tournament, the team's best showing ever. They were finally eliminated on penalty kicks after outplaying the San Jose Earthquakes, but failing to break a 2-2 tie.

The Thunder (4-3-4) have been in something of a funk lately. They played a stink bomb of a game on Friday against the Toronto Lynx, losing 2-1 to a team that had not won all season. The Thunder's defense continues to be porous and their overall passion lacking. In the first half of the Lynx game the squad collectively (and midfielder Jeff Matteo in particular) looked like they'd eaten a sack of White Castle double cheeseburgers prior to kick off.

They face a tough opponent in the Chicago Fire Premier this evening. Although the MLS-farm squad plays a division below the Thunder, they are currently unbeaten, outscoring opponents 24-6 through nine games. Several players, including Chris Rolfe, have advanced from this team to eventually play for the senior Chicago Fire team.

Looks likely to be played in a downpour.

(And oh yeah: the Indomitable Drinky Crows' playoff run ended tragically on Sunday. After going a man down in the opening 10 minutes--owing to some very strange officiating--we battled to a 1-1 draw, only to lose 5-4 on penalty kicks. Our supporters are in mourning. Several death threats have been issued to the referee. He's rumored to be leaving the profession. We are trying to quell the situation.)

Posted by Paul Demko at June 29, 2005 9:57 AM

« For the record | Main | Benny Benny Benny »