As the season rolls to a close, two of the surprise teams of the Western Conference meet for the second to last time: San Diego FC (later San Diego Flash FC), who everyone expected to tank when the ownership dropped out a mere days before the season began, and the Minnesota Thunder, who did tank, surprising everyone in the league.
San Diego was in a four-way tie for the last wild-card playoff spot with Seattle, El Paso, and Connecticut; with an additional advantage of two games in-hand over the Wolves. Minnesota, finally finding a rhythm, was driving to overtake Connecticut for the final wild-card spot, making every remaining game a must-win. So far, they had won four consecutive games (including one exhibition match against the Chivas Reserves squad), two of which were come from behind while short-handed. The Thunder, taking quality opponents, like Nashville, Portland, and Milwaukee, were finally playing like everyone expected them to, but only time will tell if their efforts were too little, too late.
First Half
While the weather was in the high-80s and humid, compared to recent weather, it was quite pleasant. Both teams played at an even pace, with the Flash playing more of the long ball to Thiago Martins. Martins made several excellent one-on-one runs down the flank, forcing the Thunder back line to sag, and not trust to the off-side trap that worked so well against Portland the week before.
Minnesota held possession for most of the half, mixing midfield builds with long balls to strikers Corey Woolfolk and Paul Nowak, the later of which kept excellent pressure on Flash keeper Tim Gorman. While there we no excellent chances produced by Minnesota, they were solid.
Second Half
The tide turned quickly in the second half. Morgan Zeba, in the 49th minute, making a run left-to-right in front of the Flash's penalty arc, was pulled down to the right of the arc, 26 yards from the goal line. In the first half, Morgan Zeba took two similar free kicks that curved around the San Diego wall for diving Gorman saves. Mark Shulte took this kick, and drilled a low ball through the five-man wall (Shulte was later quoted as thinking his shot caused a member of the wall to flinch, giving him his opening) into the right side of the net. A later free kick did ricochet off the wall, and nearly landed at the half-way line.
In the 59th minute Minnesota forward Amos Magee received a long ball and broke past two defenders. Keeper Tim Gorman rushed out of his box, and in front of the penalty arc, fouled Magee hard, earning the red card. San Deigo continued to try to feed to Thiago Martins, but had little success in the Minnesota end with anyone else. The Thunder, now with the man advantage, took control of the game, slowing down the offensive pace, distributing the ball in the midfield with ease to unmarked players. While it produced few offensive chances (although a three-on-none run was shot wide), it kept the Flash running around to deal with the frequent field switches. Once they had the ball, the almost inevitable long ball was either handled by the Minnesota defense, or easily saved by John Swallen.
Observations
The red card ejection really took the steam out of the Flash. The defense looked disheveled and they didn't mount a serious threat following the send-off. Chugger Adair, who has been a large part of the Flash's surprising season, did not make the trip because of an ankle injury.
Tim Gorman, earned my respect by partying with the Thunder Heads, who had heckled him the entire game (as they do every visiting keeper), following his send-off.
Paul Nowak seemed to be everywhere on the field, up until an injury in the 79th minute. It looks relatively minor, but he seems to be getting comfortable in the striker position.
Attendance: 3,115
Weather: 86, muggy
Scoring Summary: 1 0 F
Minnesota 0 1
San Diego 0 0
Minnesota Mark Schulte (unassisted) 51st minute
Lineups:
Minnesota 1-John Swallen; 20-Chris Gores; 4-Eric Otto; 13-Mark Schulte; 21-Don Gramenz; 17-Aaron Leventhal; 6-Morgan Zeba (23-Matt Schmidt, 89th minute); 5-Mike Gentile; 24-Corey Woolfolk (7-Amos Magee, 45); 12-Johnny Menyongar (25-Gerard Lagos, 85); 11-Paul Nowak (16-Steve Armas, 79)
San Diego 1- Tim Gorman; 2- Jaime Monro; 15- Brian OConner; 4- Simon Livett (21-Hugo Llamas, 61); 18- Kevin Legg (0-Matt Hall, 61); 11- Carlos Calderson (19-Miquel Luna, 83); 6- Miguel Suazo (23-Ryan Lee, 72); 10- Nate Hetherington; 5- Adam Maurer; 9- Thiago Martins; 8- Javier Bustos (7-Colby Jackson, 63)
Statistical Summary: Minnesota San Diego
Shots 18 12
Saves 6 5
Corner Kicks 10 6
Fouls 14 17
Offsides 5 5
Misconduct Summary:
San Diego Jamie Monro (caution) 30th minute
San Diego Tim Gorman (ejection) 59th minute
San Diego Miquel Luna (caution) 90th minute
Minnesota Don Gramenz (caution) 90th minute
Referee: Mac Pinski
Assistant Referee #1: Jeff Filipek
Assistant Referee #2: Troy Cohrs
Fourth Official: Jeremy Schroeder
