Thunder announces postseason honors

Published on October 9, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, October 9, 2006) - Matt Schmidt, Chad Dombrowski, Terry Alvino, and Kiki Lara are the recipients of the Minnesota Thunder's 2006 annual post-season awards, it was announced today. Schmidt was named the team's COMCAST Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career, while Dombrowski earned 3M Defender of the Year for the second consecutive year. Alvino captured the BREMER BANK Rookie of the Year and Lara was named SUBWAY Humanitarian of the Year.

Comcast Most Valuable Player

Schmidt, from Milwaukee, Wis. stepped up his contribution to the Thunder in 2006 playing in 24 games and logging over 1,900 minutes. The center midfielder also contributed offensively this season scoring three goals and adding three assists for a total of nine points. Schmidt's production was noticed by Major League Soccer as he departed the Thunder with two games left in the season for a trial with the Columbus Crew.

'While solid most of the season, Matt turned our team around when we moved him to the attacking midfield role," said Thunder head coach, Amos Magee. "He is an active two-way player that defended and scored goals. There is no coincidence that we didn't score a goal the last three games of the season while he was on trial in MLS. I have seen him play for five years and I believe he took a huge step-up this season."

3M Defender to the Year

Dombrowski, from Hales Corners, Wis., joined the team late after finishing up his season with the Milwaukee Wave of the MISL, but was inserted into the starting eleven almost immediately. In his second season with the team, Dombrowski played in 24 games logging 1,909 minutes. The defender also contributed two goals and two assists and was the most offensive minded defender on the squad.

'For the second year in a row, Chad has given us toughness, character and effort," said Magee. "He has continued to build the technical side of the game and is now composed and imaginative when he gets forward. We played him out of position as a left back and he still excelled, leading our defenders in scoring and providing a pillar of consistency on the left side of our defense.'

Bremer Bank Rookie of the Year

Alvino, from St. Louis, Mo., had a very productive season for the Thunder. Coming into the team without a solid contract in place, Alvino stepped up in his first minutes of the season in the home opener against Seattle and scored a goal and an assist. Throughout the season Alvino played in a team-leading 26 games tallying 1,617 minutes in all. In these contests he added a total of four goals and one assist.

'Terry was a very pleasant surprise," said Magee. "He was a last-minute addition to training camp and impressed coaches with his athleticism, work-rate and ability. We signed him four days before the opener and he scored on his professional debut. He played in 26 games for us, tied for most games on the team and proved both versatile and consistent."

SUBWAY Humanitarian of the Year

The Thunder's reputation as one of Minnesota's hardest working professional sports teams in the community was exemplified by the contributions of third year player, Kiki Lara. Lara, since the time he arrived at the Thunder, has been one of the most well-liked players on the team, in the community, and at the Thunder camps.

'Kiki is both a fan favorite and an organizational favorite," said Magee. "His ability with kids, his demeanor in the community, and his commitment to the team are second to none. He appeared more in the community than any of our other players, showing up in hospitals and at youth games to support Thunder fans. He is as deserving a winner of this award as we have ever had.'

For off-season updates on the Thunder, be sure to visit www.mnthunder.com


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