The Calgary Storm didn't disappoint their loyal fans as they defeated the Minnesota Thunder 1-0 in their first home game in the A-League. The frigid weather (temperature about 2 C or 35 F) kept a large crowd away, but the 1200 fans who did show up with their parkas and blankets were treated to a hard fought match.
The game began with Minnesota controlling the play. In the 18th minute, Mike Gentile had a decent scoring chance but missed the net. A couple of minutes later the Thunder keeper bobbled the ball but Storm defender Liam DeSilva fanned on the shot in the box. In the 30th minute, Thunder midfielder Kyle Beckerman blasted a shot that was just tipped over the bar by new Storm keeper James Glasnovic. Beckerman was one of the players the Thunder received on loan from the Colorado Rapids. Glasnovic made a couple more saves late in the half to keep the score deadlocked.
When the second half began the momentum seemed to shift to the Storm's favor. Two minutes in, Steffen Holdt had a shot blocked in the box. In the 58th minute, Storm forward Chris Lemire blocked keeper Warren's attempt to clear the ball, but the striker put the ball wide into a snowbank to the left of the net.
In the 68th minute the tie was broken when Lemire crossed the ball into the box and McKenna scored in a scramble in front of the net. After the goal the Storm continued to press. Defender Mike Pavicic, who didn't score in the PDL last year, had a brilliant chance about five minutes later but his blast was deflected over the bar.
The game had a few tense final moments. The Thunder brought every man up for a corner kick with seconds to go. Thunder keeper Warren had an excellent opportunity to tie up the game but his shot went over the open net.
Lineups:
Calgary: Glasnovic, DeSilva, Pavicic, Munoz, Ledgerwood, Jesic (Chala 90), Slade (Bosch 61), Holdt, Heidler (Zuniga 82), McKenna, Lemire
Minnesota: Warren, Trembley, Gores, Otto, Martins, Clark (Menyongar 79), Gentile (Llamas 70), Gramenz (Schulte 70), Beckerman, McGee (Shak? 79), Fenger (Moorehead 62)
Cautions:
Minnesota: Gramenz (8th), Martins (61st), Schulte (79th) Calgary: McKenna (80th)
Goals:
Calgary: McKenna (68th)
STORM WARNINGS: Edmonton native Kurt Bosch saw his first action with the Storm as a substitute. The newly-signed Bosch is no stranger to the province's soccer scene. He has pro experience with the defunct NPSL Edmonton Drillers. The Storm also signed 20 year old striker Hugo Martins from Orlando, Florida. He didn't dress for tonight's game.
