Thunder Announces W-League Schedule

Published on December 28, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Wednesday, December 28, 2005) - Minnesota Thunder officials announced today the 2006 regular season schedule for its newly acquired women's W-League team, including its home opener at the National Sports Center on May 27 at 5:05 p.m. against the London Gryphons. This match will be a double header with the men's team who will host the Portland Timbers at 7:35 p.m.

The W-league team, which will be named after the first of the year, will play seven home games and seven road games amongst the teams in the Midwest Division, playing each team both home and away.

Four of the home games will be played at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Soccer Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Two home matches will be played at the National Sports Center as double headers with the men's team during the NSC Cup (May 27) and the All American Girls tournament (June 17). The final home game will be played at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, home of the Minnesota Thunder.

For ticket information, please call Mark Lieblein at 651-917-0049.

"There is going to be a lot of excitement built up around the double headers games at the NSC," said Djorn Buchholz, general manager of the Thunder and W-League team. "These games are being held in conjunction with some of their largest events and will create a great soccer atmosphere for entire soccer families."

"We are also excited about our relationship with the University of Minnesota and their women's soccer program," said Buchholz. "Robbie Stadium is one of the premier collegiate soccer stadiums in the country and we look forward to introducing more people to this great facility and to their talented program."

Tryouts were held for the W-League team on December 21 & 22 at the Soccer Blast facility in Burnsville, Minn. Over 45 young female soccer players attended the invitation-only tryout that was run by head coach Dan Storlien.

"There are some very good teams in the W-League every year, including in our division," said Storlien. "However, I was very impressed with the amount of talent that attended our tryout this past week and I think we are going to be able to put a team together than can compete at a very high level."

Season tickets for the W-League team will go on sale after the first of the year. All season tickets will be open-ended and can be used in any combination at any home game, including the double headers. Adult season tickets will sell for $45 and youth season tickets will sell for $35. Single-game tickets will go on sale in the spring.

The W-League complete 2006 schedule is listed on the Thunder web site www.mnthunder.com/W-League_schedule_2006.shtml

2006 W-League Home Schedule Saturday, May 27, 5:05 p.m., London Gryphons, National Sports Center

Wednesday, June 7, 7:05 p.m., Cleveland Internationals, Robbie Stadium

Saturday, June 17, 5:05 p.m., Michigan Hawks, National Sports Center

Wednesday, June 21, 7:05 p.m., Chicago Gaels, Robbie Stadium

Friday, June 30, 7:05 p.m., Cincinnati Ladyhawks, Robbie Stadium

Sunday, July 2, 2:05 p.m., Ft. Wayne Fever, Robbie Stadium

Saturday, July 15, 6:05 p.m., West Michigan Firewomen, James Griffin Stadium

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The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the 12-team United Soccer Leagues First Division. The Thunder is considered one of the top pro teams in the country, advancing to the league finals in seven of the last 11 years, winning the national championship in 1999. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul (I-94/Lexington Pkwy). Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps and academies, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling (651) 917-TEAM (8326).

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