Thunder announces 2006 schedule

Published on December 17, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Saturday, December 17, 2005) - The Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team announced its 28-game USL First Division regular season schedule today, including its home opener in the Metrodome on April 23 at 5:05 p.m. against the defending champions the Seattle Sounders.

The Thunder will host every team in the league once during the 2006 season. The majority of home games will be played at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul with three matches being held at the National Sports Center for the first time since the 2003 season.

"It's important for this club to play games at the National Sports Center during some of their largest events," said Djorn Buchholz, general manager of the Thunder. "Griffin Stadium is our true home and we are happy to return there for another season of great soccer."

The Thunder will host three games at the National Sports Center on May 27 for NSC Cup, on June 17 for the All American Girls tournament, and on July 27 for the MYSA State Cup opening ceremonies.

"The Thunder playing in conjunction with these events is a wonderful opportunity for the complete soccer experience for the thousands of youth soccer players and their families," said Kris Bjerkness, executive director of the NSC.

The Thunder has had success since moving to Griffin Stadium for the 2004 season with attendance increasing steadily each year. Fans have also grown to love the stadium and the atmosphere that has been created.

New Thunder head coach Amos Magee believes this schedule will be tough, but road trips will be much more manageable in 2006.

"We have been able to limit the number of three-game road trips this season which makes many of our road games much more manageable," said Magee. "We do have a long stretch of road games to end the season, but we made the playoffs two years ago in a similar situation."

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 (651) 917-TEAM (8326). Single-game tickets will go on sale in the spring.

Other schedule highlights include:
-9 of the 14 home games are on weekend dates with two more matches being held on Fridays.
-The Thunder will host every single team in the league once.
-The defending league champions, the Seattle Sounders, will visit the Thunder for its home opener in the Metrodome on April 23 at 5:05 p.m.
-Weekday games start at 7:05 p.m., Saturday games start at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday games start at 5:05 p.m. Two matches held at the NSC on May 27 and June 17 kickoff at 7:35 p.m.

The Thunder have and will continue to schedule a number of exhibition games including a Major League Soccer (MLS) opponent, an international opponent, a school day event, a kids' day game (June 21), and US Open Cup matches.

This marks the third year the Thunder has called its home James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul. Griffin Stadium is located at the intersection of I-94 and Lexington Parkway. For stadium directions and maps please visit www.mnthunder.com/Directions.shtml.

The Thunder's complete schedule is listed on its web site at www.mnthunder.com/schedule_2006.shtml

2006 Thunder Home Schedule Sunday, April 23, 5:05 p.m., Seattle Sounders, Metrodome

Saturday, May 27, 7:35 p.m., Portland Timbers, National Sports Center

Saturday, June 3, 6:05 p.m., Vancouver Whitecaps, James Griffin Stadium

Sunday, June 11, 5:05 p.m., Miami FC, James Griffin Stadium

Thursday, June 15, 7:05 p.m. Portland Timbers, James Griffin Stadium

Saturday, June 17, 7:35 p.m., Virginia Beach Mariners, National Sports Center

Saturday, June 24, 6:05 p.m. Seattle Sounders, James Griffin Stadium

Friday, July 14, 7:05 p.m., Vancouver Whitecaps, James Griffin Stadium

Friday, July 21, 7:05 p.m., Montreal Impact, James Griffin Stadium

Thursday, July 27, 7:05 p.m., Charleston Battery, National Sports Center

Sunday, July 30, 5:05 p.m., Atlanta Silverbacks, James Griffin Stadium

Thursday, August 10, 7:05 p.m., Toronto Lynx, James Griffin Stadium

Sunday, August 13, Rochester Raging Rhinos, 5:05 p.m., James Griffin Stadium

Sunday, August 20, Puerto Rico Islanders, 5:05 p.m., James Griffin Stadium

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USL First Division Stories from December 17, 2005


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