"The fact that Minnesota was able to go on the road and get a couple of draws is a good start for them," says Vancouver coach Bob Lilley, who I spoke with on the phone yesterday. "They'll obviously want to win their games at home and sneak points on the road. It's going to be a difficult season for all of us because I think the quality of the teams are getting better each year."

Vancouver's squad is loaded with talent. Dynamic midfielders Steve Martin Nash and (former Thunder standout) Jay Alberts will cause fits in the center of the pitch. Up top Joey Gjertsen (the league's reigning MVP) and Eduardo Sebrango are possibly the most redoubtable scoring duo in the league. Vancouver secured a win (1-0 over Seattle) and a draw (2-2 against California) in its first two home matches.

"It's early and we're trying to get better week to week," says Lilley. "The win against Seattle was not a sharp performance. Soccer is a strange game sometimes. California, I thought we played much better and with more urgency, but didn't finish our chances."

The Thunder will have the homecooking of The Jimmy on its side. Artificial grass, narrow dimensions, and football lines. "It's a difficult place to go play," says Lilley. "Minnesota is used to those dimensions because they play all their homes games there."

The Thunder's squad is young, talented and upredictable. The Strib ran a nice piece on new 6'4" Japanese target forward Keisuke Ota.

I hope to hit practice tomorrow morning to speak with some players.