Minnesota Thunder's miserable campaign closes

The Minnesota Thunder have once again proven not so mighty this season. They currently own a 4-11-11 record and have been eliminated from playoff contention in a league where almost every god forsaken team makes the playoffs. But from a more Pangloss-ian perspective, the squad has made some strides. Last year they finished tied for last. With last weekend's surprise victory over top-of-the-table Seattle Sounders, the Thunder are all but assured of finishing ahead of the California Victory. We're comin!

What's more the squad has only been outscored by a margin of 34-27. In other words, they were competitive in pretty much every game they played. They just couldn't figure out how to win. Every time the Thunder managed to take a lead this season, they almost immediately let their guard down and surrendered an equalizer. It's a particularly agonizing trait for a team to possess.

But it's a young, talented group playing for a chronically under-funded organization on a sorry high-school pitch. The challenges are formidable. Hopefully next year Coach Amos Magee can right the operation--if he still has a job.

The squad has two home matches remaining in the campaign. Tonight at 7:05 they will square off against the Carolina Railhawks, who are battling for the league's final playoff spot. Then Sunday at 5:05 the Thunder wrap up their season with a rematch against the Sounders.

C'mon Thunder!