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Brazilian star Romario and Miami FC visit Thunder Sunday

June 7, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Wednesday, June 7, 2006) - Minnesota soccer fans will have the opportunity to see one of the most accomplished players to ever play the game this Sunday, when Brazilian World Cup hero Romario and FC Miami take on the Minnesota Thunder. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. on June 11 at James Griffin Stadium.

For tickets to this game, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.

Romario was named the Best Player in the 1994 World Cup in the United States, receiving the "Golden Ball." The same year, he was named FIFA Player of the Year.

Over a 21-year span, Romario has played for top clubs such as Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Fluminense, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Valencia. Most recently, he was the leading scorer for Vasco de Gama in the 2005 Brazilian Championship with 22 goals.

He is less than 40 goals away from reaching 1,000 goals, a milestone that only Pele has reached.

At halftime on Sunday, longtime Thunder owner and board chairman Bill George will be honored and inducted into the Thunder Hall of Fame.

About the Thunder

The Thunder (1-4-2, 5 points) recently stopped a three-game losing streak in tying the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 last Saturday. Defender Dustin Branan will be unavailable for Sunday's game, as he is serving a one-game suspension for receiving a red card against the Whitecaps. Forward Nathan Knox, who leads the Thunder with two goals and two assists, is expected to be held out of the game with a hamstring injury.

About FC Miami

In its first year of existence, FC Miami currently sits in fourth place of the USL First Division with a record of 3-2-3. Romario leads the club with three goals and six scoring points, while Zinho, who also played for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup, has two assists. Goalkeeper Chris Doyle has a goals against average of 0.875 and has started in each of FC Miami's games.

Thunder Head Coach Amos Magee

"I'm as excited as anybody to see Romario and Zinho play. It's great for our league and great for Minnesota soccer fans." "We need to build on the effort and attitude from Saturday's tie against Vancouver. We need to tighten up in back and continue to get more dynamic offensively."

Up Next

After Sunday, the Thunder will still have four games remaining in its longest home stretch of the season. Up next is a showdown with the Portland Timbers on Thursday, June 15 at 7:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium, followed by a doubleheader with the Minnesota Lightning on Saturday, June 17 at 7:35 p.m. against the Virginia Beach Mariners at the National Sports Center in Blaine. For ticket information, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.



USL First Division Stories from June 7, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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