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Careless play costly as Thunder loses on penalty kick
- Article by: DAVID La VAQUE , Star Tribune
- Updated: May 2, 2009 - 11:31 PM
Vancouver pounded home the winner in the 90th minute, leaving the Thunder coach upset about sloppy ball-handling in the midfield.
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Thunder coach Donny Gramenz did not have an opinion on the call that led to Vancouver's game-winning penalty kick in the 90th minute.
He instead analyzed the team's midfield, which he said is struggling so far this season.
"It was another middle-third turnover that they shoved down our throat," he said. "That's why we're out of position and a guy has to leave his feet in the box."
The 3-2 loss Saturday, played before an announced crowd of 3,298 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, leaves Minnesota (0-3-2) without a victory through five games of United Soccer Leagues play.
Minnesota's Ricardo Sanchez, who tied for the team lead with 10 goals last season, scored his first two goals of the season -- both tying the game in the second half.
"It's disappointing because we played a great game tonight," Sanchez said.
He tied the score 1-1 in the 48th minute on a pass from forward Leonel Saint-Preux, who maintained possession of the ball near the Vancouver goal as a defender fell in front of him, then passed it back for Sanchez to blast home.
Sanchez struck again in the 70th minute, redirecting a touch pass from Rod Dyachenko into the net.
Sanchez had one more scoring chance in stoppage time, but his free kick struck the crossbar.
"I wanted it there," he said. "I almost had it."
When it comes to his midfielders, close is no longer cutting it for Gramenz. He said a wholesale change in personnel is not necessary, but a new mentality is key.
"We have players who can keep the ball, but they need to do it with some pace and not give up possessions at the wrong place and wrong time," Gramenz said.
Captain Jeremiah Bass would not single out players or positions, but acknowledged the critical role his fellow midfielders play.
"There are breakdowns at different positions all over the field," he said. "But some hurt more than others."
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