Thunder adds two more players to 2007 roster

Published on March 3, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Saturday, March 3, 2007) - The Minnesota Thunder announced today that it has signed two more players, including Woodbury native Alexander "Sasha" Gotsmanov through the 2008 season. Goalkeeper Nicolas Platter will also return for his third stint with the team and has signed through the 2009 season.

Gotsmanov comes to the Thunder after spending the last two seasons with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Gotsmanov was a standout player at Woodbury High School where he was named to the All-State team three seasons and earned All-Midwest and All-American honors in 2000.

Gotsmanov played his collegiate soccer at the University of Rhode Island where he completed his career fifth on the school's all-time scoring list with 89 points. In his senior season he led the entire nation with 19 goals and 46 points.

He was drafted by the Rapids in 2005 as a developmental player. Gotsmanov was the leading scorer for the Rapids Reserve Team as he scored six goals and had three assists in 12 games, good enough for a fifth place tie overall in the MLS Reserve Division. That same season he was voted the most valuable player on the reserve squad.

In 2006 Gotsmanov was loaned to the Thunder for six games where he logged 202 total minutes.

"We got a good chance to look as Sasha last year," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee. "While he never got completely comfortable in the short time he was here, we saw several glimpses of imagination and inventiveness. We expect him to score some goals for us."

Platter returns to the Thunder for his third season. The young promising goalkeeper will be fighting for a starting spot against long time Thunder keeper Joe Warren.

In 2006 Platter played in six games for the Thunder logging 454 minutes including an impressive win over league powerhouse, the Montreal Impact. He finished the season with a goals against average of 1.8.

Platter played his collegiate career at UC-Davis and finished his as the school leader in shutouts with 17 and the leader in saves with 195. He was named the team's most valuable player in 2003.

"Nic has continued to develop in all the right ways," said Magee. "He is a leader in our summer camps and will challenge Joe for playing time this year."

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