Thunder acquires women's amateur franchise for 2006

Published on November 5, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Saturday, November 5, 2005) - The Minnesota Thunder announced today that it has purchased a W-League expansion franchise from the United Soccer Leagues that will compete in the 37-team national league for the 2006 season. This amateur all-women's team will play in the Midwest Division of the Central Conference, and will be operated by the Thunder organization. It will play 14 regular season games between its division, with seven of these at home.

"We are extremely excited to bring the highest-level of female league soccer in the country to Minnesota," said Djorn Buchholz, general manager of the Thunder. "With the quality of the local soccer talent in this state, we're confident this team will compete for a championship in its first season."

The 37-team W-League provides one of the most complete women's player pool in the world and is recognized as North America's best women's soccer development organization. This league gives the nation's best high school and college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.

A contest has been launched in which soccer fans are encouraged to submit a name for the team by December 15. To submit a name, fans should visit www.mnthunder.com for more information. Any fans that pick the winning name will receive a season ticket, will be honorary captains at the team's first game, and will be the first people to see the new logo.

The team will be primarily made up of Minnesota players who are preparing for collegiate soccer or players who are looking for further development while away from their collegiate teams. The Thunder is currently searching for a coaching staff and any interested candidates should submit their resume.

Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota's Women's soccer team, the W-League team will play the majority of its home games from May-July at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Soccer Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The remaining games will be played on sites surrounding other soccer events throughout the Twin Cities. A schedule is expected to be released before the first of the year.

The Thunder will also use this opportunity to expand its training and camp opportunities with the additional coaches that this team will provide. With the Thunder organization already heavily involved in the development of youth players, the women's team will open up the doors to all-girls camps and training sessions as well as adding quality female coaches to the popular summer day camps.

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