Thunder Adds Four More Players To Roster

Published on April 9, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, April 9, 2007) - The Minnesota Thunder announced today the signing of four more players for the 2007 season. Defender Jonathan Greenfield, midfielder Jeremiah Bass, defender/midfielder Craig Mallace, and defender Brian Pederson all join the Thunder's influx of new players for this season.

Greenfield, 25, has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Major Indoor Soccer League over the past three seasons. The native of Cape Town, South Africa is currently leading the regular season champion Detroit Ignition defense into the playoffs and will join the Thunder on loan upon the conclusion of the indoor season this month.

This season the 6-0, 170 pound defender contributed 31 points in 30 games while being named one of the league's Players of the Month in December 2006. Greenfield finished the regular season with the lead in blocks on the Ignition with 39.

'Jon Greenfield came to our combine two years ago and I urged Buzz to sign him," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee. "We tried to get it done at that time but we were inevitably unsuccessful. Nonetheless, he's been in the back of my mind ever since. He brings versatility, pace, and great technique to our team. I am very excited to get him outdoors and integrated into our team. He will be a force for the Thunder. I expect that Jon will emerge as a fan favorite here in Minnesota.'

Prior to his time with the Ignition, Greenfield played for the Milwaukee Wave indoor and outdoor teams. From 2000-2003, Greenfield played for Vasco da Gama in the South African Second Division, Sundowns in the South African Premier League, and was a member of South Africa's U-23 National Team.

Bass, 29, comes to the Thunder after playing in local Minnesota leagues over the past few seasons. A graduate of Marquette University, Bass impressed Magee over the off-season. After college, Bass spent some time with Hollvikens GIF in the Sweden Second Division. He is also a coach at Keliix youth soccer club.

'Jeremiah Bass might be the best story of the Thunder off-season," said Magee. "He has been playing in the MASL (Minnesota Amateur Soccer League) with the Internationals for the last few years. We've had him train with us a little over the last couple of seasons and he keeps getting better. This winter his game seemed to leap to an entirely new level. He is tough, smart and tireless. He gives us an outstanding dimension of blue-collar work in the center of the midfield. I don't expect him to just be on our roster, I expect him to make an impact on our team and our league. I am thrilled about this signing.'

Mallace, 22, joins the Thunder after spending the past four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he was named to the All-Horizon League Team for two seasons. The native of Torphichen, Scotland played high school soccer locally at Henry Sibley high school where he was a four year starter.

The 6-1, 180 pound defender was the first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Wave of the MISL but did not sign with the club.

Pederson, 25, joins the Thunder officially after spending the past two seasons as a defender on the Thunder reserve squad. Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the 5-11, 170 pound defender spent four seasons with the Sioux Falls Spitfire of the PDL (Premier Development League).

He played his collegiate soccer at Salem International University in West Virginia where he was a three-year captain and was selected to the All-Conference and All-Region teams.

The Thunder also announced that defenders Dustin Branan and Brett Branan will not return to the Thunder for personal reasons.

The Thunder opens its home season on Sunday, May 6 at 5:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium against the defending USL champion Vancouver Whitecaps. The game will be complimentary and NO admission will be charged. For more information, call 651.917.TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com

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