Thunder Announce 2003 A-League Schedule

Published on January 23, 2003 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, January 23, 2003) -- The Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team announced its 28-game A-League regular season schedule today, including its home opener on May 4 against the Cincinnati Riverhawks and three home games against the defending champions from Milwaukee (May 24, June 7, July 2), it was announced today by Thunder officials.

"The first six games of the season will have a massive impact on our success," said Thunder forward Johnny Torres. "These are all divisional opponents, and if we want to be competing in September it will be important to get off to a fast start."

Flexible season ticket packages and discounted group tickets to all 14 home games are currently on sale at www.mnthunder.com or by calling the Thunder office at (763) 785-3668. Season ticket packages range from $48-$248. Single-game tickets will go on sale in the spring.

The Thunder will continue to coincide its matches with some of the largest youth soccer events in the state, including three tie-ins with Minnesota Youth Soccer Association tournaments. Each registered youth soccer player in the state receives one complimentary Thunder ticket courtesy of MYSA to be used at any of the following three games -- June 14 vs. Rochester (MYSA/NSC Soccer Sizzle), July 19 vs. Charlotte (Under-10 Jamboree) or July 25 vs. Portland (Chevy Cup State Tournament).

The June 14 date will be the Thunder's only matinee game, starting at 3 p.m., and geared for the 30,000 registered youth players outside the metro area to attend.

"This is a great way for out-of-metro youth players to see soccer at the highest level in the state," said Lagos. "It's important that all kids utilize their free MYSA ticket. Thunder players make outstanding role models – and youth players can learn a lot from just watching them play."

Other schedule highlights include:

· 12 of the 14 home games are on weekend dates, including eight on Saturdays.

· The Thunder will continue the tradition of playing two games outside their home at the NSC – one at Eastview High School (Apple Valley) on June 7 and another at Macalester College (St. Paul) on July 2.

· The Thunder will host two games (July 11, July 19) during the 10 days of USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the world, where an estimated 800 youth teams from all over the world are expected to compete.

· For the ninth consecutive year, a Thunder match (vs. Seattle) will take place on July 4 and is schedule to precede a fireworks display at the NSC.

The Thunder anticipate scheduling a number of exhibition games, including a Major League Soccer (MLS) opponent, and matches against Mexican and Liberian professional clubs.

The Thunder's home stadium is at the National Sports Center in Blaine, the largest soccer complex in the world with 55 continuous fields. The stadium is located one block east of Highway 65 and 105th Street NE, approximately 15 miles north of both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Thunder's complete schedule is listed on its web site at www.mnthunder.com.

Minnesota Thunder 2003 A-League Regular Season Home Schedule

Date Day Opponent Kickoff (CT) Site

May 4 Sunday Cincinnati Riverhawks * 5:00 PM TBD

May 24 Saturday Milwaukee Wave United 7:00 PM National Sports Center

May 31 Saturday Syracuse 7:00 PM National Sports Center

Jun 7 Saturday Milwaukee Wave United 7:00 PM Eastview High School (Apple Valley)

Jun 14 Saturday Rochester Raging Rhinos 3:00 PM National Sports Center

Jun 28 Saturday Indiana Blast 7:00 PM National Sports Center

Jul 2 Wednesday Milwaukee Wave United 7:30 PM Macalester College (St. Paul)

Jul 4 Friday Seattle Sounders 7:30 PM National Sports Center

Jul 11 Friday Cincinnati Riverhawks 7:30 PM National Sports Center

Jul 19 Saturday Charlotte Eagles 7:00 PM National Sports Center

Jul 25 Friday Portland Timbers 7:30 PM National Sports Center

Aug 2 Saturday Indiana Blast 7:00 PM National Sports Center

Aug 14 Thursday El Paso Patriots 7:30 PM National Sports Center

Aug 16 Saturday El Paso Patriots 7:00 PM National Sports Center

* doubles as an A-League Regular Season Match and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Match

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