Thunder Earn Record Home Opener Crowd at Metrodome

Published on May 7, 2003 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Wednesday, May 7, 2003) – The Minnesota Thunder's 1-0 victory over Cincinnati inside the Metrodome May 4th marked the largest home opener crowd and ninth-largest A-League crowd in the 13-year history of the franchise.

Sunday's attendance of 5,893 surpassed the previous record of 4,290 set in 1998. May 4 also marked the earliest home opener played by the Thunder. With the exception of 2002, each home opener since 1999 has been dampened by rain showers.

"It was a great way to start our home schedule," said TJ Varecka, Thunder director of sales and Marketing. "The enthusiastic crowd was certainly a factor in the victory.

The Thunder (2-1-0) earned its fifth straight home opener victory, off forward Johnny Menyongar's goal in the 56th minute. The Thunder has outscored its opponents 13-0 in its last five home openers.

Sunday's attendance also marked the Thunder's ninth largest overall A-League crowd. The Thunder's A-League regular-season record of 8,630 was set in 1999 in a 0-0 shoot-out victory against the San Diego Flash.

Following is a look at the home opener attendance's since 1998.

YEAR ATTENDANCE OPPONENT OUTCOME
2003 5,893 Cincinnati W 1-0
2002 3,809 Indiana W 2-0
2001 1,289 Indiana W 4-0
2000 1,227 Indiana W 4-0
1999 1,380 New Orleans W 2-0
1998 4,290 Charleston L 0-1

2. THUNDER TRANSFER PARRA'S RIGHTS TO ATLANTA

The Thunder announced today it has transferred the rights to defender/midfielder Carlos Parra to the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Parra, 26 signed by the Thunder in the off-season, returns to Atlanta where he played since 2001. Parra played 110 minutes in the Thunder's first three games.

3. THUNDER RELEASE DEFENDER LATORRE

The Thunder announced today it has released defender Alex Latorre. Lattore, 24, was signed by the Thunder following a strong pre-season training camp. He was not used in the Thunder's first three regular-season matches.

4. THUNDER TRIVIA

Think you know the Thunder? Test your knowledge. Find all the Thunder information you need at the teams website http://www.mnthunder.com. Be one of the first 10 people to respond with the correct trivia answers and receive a Thunder T-shirt, complements of Target and the Minnesota Thunder.

*Which current Thunder player scored the first two goals of the 2002 season?

*Name the Thunder's five different youth summer soccer camps offered?

5. THIS WEEK IN THE COMMUNITY

Thursday, May 8; 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thunder midfielder Zafer Kilickan will be at the Forest Lake U-14 girls practice. He will conduct a soccer clinic for the team. Contact Heidi at 651-982-0069 for field locations and other information.

Saturday, May 10; 1-3 p.m. "Meet the Thunder." The entire Thunder team will be a GameWorks in Minneapolis. Play games and meet your favorite Thunder players and coaches. GameWorks is located in downtown Minneapolis on block E. Contact Stephanie Harms at 763-785-3672 for more information.

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USL First Division Stories from May 7, 2003


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