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Thunder drafts Plymouth native with third overall pick in USL First Division draft

January 24, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. Paul, Minn. (Wednesday, January 24, 2007) - The Minnesota Thunder selected two players in the USL First Division draft today. With the Thunder's first pick and third overall, the Thunder selected Plymouth, Minn. native Andrew Peterson. With the Thunder's second pick and 16th overall, the Thunder selected midfielder John DiRaimondo.

Peterson, 5-11, spent his collegiate soccer career at Creighton University where he helped anchor a solid defense for four straight years. Peterson played in 85 games over his career and was named Second-Team All-Midwest in 2005.

Peterson attended Wayzata High School where he was named First-Team All-Classic Lake Conference and First-Team All-State as a senior and was coined team MVP his junior and senior years. In his senior season, Peterson tallied 30 points from eight goals and 14 assists.

"Andrew is a player I've had my eye on for several years," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee. "He's played for great coaches in high school and in college and has continued to develop throughout his career. He is quick, tough, and has a great left foot. His versatility will give us a lot of options on the left side."

DiRaimondo, 5-8, is a midfielder from St. Louis, Missouri. He attended St. Louis University where he was four-time All-Conference USA, two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, and Third-Team All-American as a senior. DiRaimondo was a member of the U17 National Team and was recently drafted by the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer with the fourth pick overall in the 2007 supplemental draft.

"We expect that John will make the Rapids team," said Magee, "But Manny Lagos and I liked him enough after seeing him at the MLS Combine that we wanted to take a chance just in case. He's tough, skilled and has a motor on him that makes him a handful to play against."

The Thunder and Minnesota Lightning schedules are expected to be released to the public on Thursday, January 25, 2007.

Season tickets for both teams are now on sale. For ticket information, please visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.




USL First Division Stories from January 24, 2007


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