In a sparsely attended game (which may be the worst to take your Dad to as his first professional soccer experience), DCU beat out FCD 2-0, with goals by Fred and Brandon Barklage, who dazzled. Chances were easy to come by, as DC had Dallas goal under siege from the get go.

Fred missed a sitter early in the first half, and Quaranta was not playing his best, despite what Goff's ratings may tell you.

With DC United's comeback 2-1 win over FC Dallas in the books, the Four Fs looks closer...

Forward
While it's hard to quibble too much with two second half goals, that this team ever trailed in this match is troubling. Similar to the New England match, DC United had outplayed its opponent, and still found themselves needing to score to level the match.

In anticipation of the Thunder home opener, Inside Minnesota Soccer sat down with former DC United and LA Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk. I also talked to newcomer and Liberian native Geoffrey Myers as well as former DC United central midfielder, Rod Dyachenko.

***

Tonight's game is at 7:05 p.

6/9/09 - Thunder Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by Topping 402 3-2

BLAINE, Minn. (Tuesday, June 9, 2009) - Thunder move forward to the second round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win over 402.
402 took an early lead on the Thunder in the 12th minute of play.

At long last, Namoff is officially back in the fold for the 2009 campaign. And while we're raiding Goff's cupboard, let's take a look at some DCU dirt he dug up from Dave Kasper. The big news? (1) We're getting close to landing Walter Martinez and bringing Doe back. They'd both be on loan, but that's pretty close to filling out our forward depth chart.

This is our second of four posts in review of the moves DC United has made since the end of last season. Last week we looked at their acquisitions, today we'll look at the players who departed, and then later we'll look at their trades.
1. It's hard to imagine how different DC United's season would be had they retained Marcelo Gallardo in 2009.

In anticipation of the Thunder home opener, Inside Minnesota Soccer sat down with former DC United and LA Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk. I also talked to newcomer and Liberian native Geoffrey Myers as well as former DC United central midfielder, Rod Dyachenko.

Tonight's game is at 7:05 p.m.

Press Release - Blaine, MN - Minnesota Thunder 07/18/09

Thunder Outlast Austin Aztex 1-0

Lightning Tie Cleveland Internationals 1-1 in Final Match of the 2009 Campaign

BLAINE, Minn. (Saturday, July 18, 2009) - The Thunder are on their first two game winning streak in USL league play of the 2009 campaign with a win over the Austin Aztex 1-0.

At long last, Namoff is officially back in the fold for the 2009 campaign. And while we're raiding Goff's cupboard, let's take a look at some DCU dirt he dug up from Dave Kasper. The big news? (1) We're getting close to landing Walter Martinez and bringing Doe back. They'd both be on loan, but that's pretty close to filling out our forward depth chart.

The Minnesota Thunder seem to be gaining momentum and breaking out of the team's dismal start. The Thunder defeated the Chicago Fire PDL team 4-0 on a rain-soaked Tuesday evening that saw Brian Cvilikas continue his hot streak with another goal. The win means the Thunder will now host the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer June 30, after advancing to the third round of the US Open Cup.

The Minnesota Thunder, who have struggled all season to find goals, now have scored 6 in their last 3 games on the road. The Thunder never gave up and battled hard as they drew the game with the Rochester Rhino's, coming from behind in the 90th minute with a goal by Jeremiah Bass. The game ended as a 3-3 draw.

Thunder with impressive display of offense in 5-2 defeat of Islanders.

The Minnesota Thunder continued their climb out of the basement of the USL standings with an exciting 5-2 victory over the visiting Puerto Rico Islanders. With the win, Minnesota slipped past struggling Miami FC in the standings and moved into 8th place, just one spot below the Vancouver Whitecaps who currently hold the 7th and final playoff spot in USL-1.

The Minnesota Thunder will begin their 2009 season Saturday evening in Carry, North Carolina as they take on the revamped Railhawks. The Railhawks underwent front office changes and then hired former USL-2 manager, Martin Rennie. Rennie has reinvented the team with only four players remaining from last years roster.

6/9/09 - Thunder Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by Topping 402 3-2

BLAINE, Minn. (Tuesday, June 9, 2009) - Thunder move forward to the second round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win over 402.
402 took an early lead on the Thunder in the 12th minute of play.

Baldomero Toledo booking a Red Bull player while Clint Mathis and a teammate play Simon Says.
Here are some thoughts on Saturday's Chicago-DC match I attended that have been percolating since the weekend:

• I don't think I've seen a match this season where the dissonance between the quality of play and the quality of officiaitng was greater than on Saturday.

Tonight, the Kansas City Wizards take on the Minnesota Thunder at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. The game kicks off at 7:35 p.m. CT and can be seen live online at www.USLlive.com. We will also be providing a live running commentary from the match here at Hillcrest Road. With just over an hour before kickoff, the lineups are now in.

Press Release - Blaine, MN - Minnesota Thunder 07/18/09

Thunder Outlast Austin Aztex 1-0

Lightning Tie Cleveland Internationals 1-1 in Final Match of the 2009 Campaign

BLAINE, Minn. (Saturday, July 18, 2009) - The Thunder are on their first two game winning streak in USL league play of the 2009 campaign with a win over the Austin Aztex 1-0.

The Minnesota Thunder, who have struggled all season to find goals, now have scored 6 in their last 3 games on the road. The Thunder never gave up and battled hard as they drew the game with the Rochester Rhinos, coming from behind in the 90th minute with a goal by Jeremiah Bass. The game ended as a 3-3 draw.

Thunder with impressive display of offense in 5-2 defeat of Islanders.

The Minnesota Thunder continued their climb out of the basement of the USL standings with an exciting 5-2 victory over the visiting Puerto Rico Islanders. With the win, Minnesota slipped past struggling Miami FC in the standings and moved into 8th place, just one spot below the Vancouver Whitecaps who currently hold the 7th and final playoff spot in USL-1.