Another Liberian
Steps To The Fore In Minnesota
Just as Johnny Menyongar carried the
offensive load during the opening games of the season, his
countryman and teammate, Melvin Tarley, has taken the scoring baton
and run with it.
A second year player for the Minnesota Thunder,
the twenty-two year old forward has been responsible for all of the
scoring in the last two games, both of them victories, which are
keeping the team tied for first place in the Western Division of the
A-League.
In the June 2nd game at home against the Vancouver
Whitecaps, the two teams were in a scoreless tie after regulation
time had expired. In the A-League, up to two 10 minute golden goal
overtime periods are played before the game is officially ruled a
draw. Melvin, who up until now has served an apprenticeship as a
late game substitution providing fresh legs, was put into the game
for the first overtime period. It didn't take very long for him to
affirm Coach Buzz Lagos' wisdom in sending him in.
In the ninety-ninth minute, Thunder midfielder Jeff
Matteo passed the ball down the right sideline to speeding
wing-midfielder Zafir Kilickan. Kilickan sent a low hard cross to
the far post.
Tarley anticipated the pass perfectly and got his foot to the ball a
half step before his marker could.
The one-touch shot from five yards out rocketed past the keeper for
the win.
Melvin's timely play earned him a start in the team's
next game on June 6th, again at home, versus Syracuse FC. After a
scoreless first half, Melvin struck again. Midfielder Jay Albert
lofted a long forty yard pass to fellow midfielder Kevin Friedland
who, on his second touch, rolled the ball past the Syracuse
defenders to the speedy Tarley who was unmarked as he unleashed a
grass cutter which went under the advancing net minder and into the
goal.
Even a 30 minute interruption of the match, due to a
lightning storm, was not enough to cool down the red-hot forward. In
the eighty-sixth minute, two Syracuse defenders were circling under
a long, high clearing pass from the Thunder defense.
Melvin fought for position under it at the corner of the
eighteen-yard box, keeping either defender from heading the ball
away. It took a high bounce over the defenders towards the goal.
Tarley used an excellent move to slip by one defender in such a way
as to cause him to impede the other one.
He settled the ball in stride and took two steps, drawing the
Syracuse netminder out of the goalmouth. Tarley then easily slid the
ball under the unfortunate keeper and into the back of the net for
the clinching score.
With his three goals in the last two games, he is now
tied for the team lead with Johnny Menyongar.
It will be a surprise if the former Liberian U-21
National Team member does not garner A-League "Team of the Week"
honors for his outstanding play.
By S.A. Kerssen
|
Please Click our Sponsors
Links to support the site
|
