Thunder goes home with fans on Saturday

Published on June 8, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Tuesday, June 8, 2004) - The Thunder and Minneapolis Star-Tribune are teaming up to give away Thunder team posters for fans to take home at the end of the Saturday, June 12 game versus the Seattle Sounders. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Sounders are currently in third place in the Western Conference with 13 points. Last year the Thunder split games with Seattle in the regular season losing 3-2 at home and winning 2-1 in Seahawks Stadium. In the post-season the Thunder won two games by 1-0 scores in the A-League semi-finals to eliminate the Sounders from the playoffs and propel the Thunder into the A-league championship. Also in 2003, the Sounders eliminated the Thunder from the US Open Cup in the third round by a score of 1-0. Minnesota and Seattle will again continue to battle the entire season as they face off a total of four times in 2004.

Dunning parking lots C & D will be closed to Thunder fans this Saturday and June 26 due to softball tournaments. Additional parking is available in the Central High lot.

The cost for general admission tickets is $12 for adults and $8 for youth ages 18 and under. Flex packs, VIP tickets and group discount rates are also available. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.mnthunder.com , or by calling the Thunder office at 651-917-TEAM.

THREE GOALS PROPELS TARLEY TO PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS, WARREN NOMINATED

With three goals in the last two games, including two game winners, Thunder forward Melvin Tarley has found himself nominated as the United Soccer League's Player of the Week for week eight of the regular season.

Overtime substitute Tarley broke a 0-0 tied score in the ninth minute of overtime last Wednesday night against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The golden goal gave the Thunder three points against the only team that has put a notch in their loss column this season.

Saturday night was much of the same as Tarley earned his first start of the season and continued his hot streak. Tarley scored at both the 49 and 89 minute marks and gave his Thunder a 2-0 victory over the visiting Syracuse Salty Dogs, keeping the Thunder (5-1-3, 18 pts.) in a tie for first place in the Western Conference with the Portland Timbers.

The win Saturday night gave goalkeeper Joe Warren his eighth shutout in nine games, earning him a spot as the goalkeeper on the team of the week.

HEALTHPARTNERS HOSTS FREE SOCCER CLINICS

HealthPartners will host its fourth annual kid's soccer clinics June 16 through June 29 from 10:30 to noon at various HealthPartners clinics. These events are for all ages and skill levels.

Minnesota's only professional soccer team, The Minnesota Thunder, will include players such as 14-year veteran Amos Magee, New Zealand International Mike Wilson, Liberian Francis Doe, and several others to coach the clinics. Players will:
-Demonstrate soccer skills
-Sign autographs
-Hand out free posters
-This event is free and open to the public!

"We chose to sponsor the Thunder because soccer is an increasingly popular sport and played by both boys and girls that promotes healthy life skills including exercise, team work, and good sportsmanship," said Brian Rank, MD, and Medical Director HealthPartners Clinics.

Soccer clinics will be held at the following HealthPartners clinics:
-Inver Grove Heights Clinic, Wednesday, June 16
-Apple Valley Clinic, Thursday, June 17
-White Bear Lake Clinic, Thursday, June 24
-Maple Grove Clinic, Tuesday, June 29

HealthPartners is a consumer governed non-profit health care organization committed to improving the health of its members, patients and the community. Founded in 1957, HealthPartners provides care and coverage to 630,000 members across Minnesota through a broad network of physicians and hospitals, including HealthPartners clinics. HealthPartners commercial and Medicare+Choice plans have received the highest rating of "Excellent" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Physicians and employees in 52 locations are dedicated to providing the best care -- patient centered care that includes disease management and prevention, innovative inpatient and outpatient services, hospice, pharmacy, health improvement, research and medical education.

THUNDER CAMPS MAKING THEIR MOVE

This week marks the first week of Thunder Summer soccer camps. Thunder camps run from now until the end of August in over 30 metro locations. There are camps throughout the summer for boys and girls ages five to 18. Visit www.mnthunder.com to find a camp near you.

The Thunder would like to give a special thanks to HealthPartners for providing first aid kits for all camps.

OVER 1,500 KIDS' DAY TICKETS SOLD

Tuesday, June 15 is the fourth annual Kids' Day with the Minnesota Thunder and tickets are selling at a brisk pace, as over 1,500 tickets have already been sold.

The Thunder will be taking on the Twin Cities Inferno at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul at 11 a.m. Kids will have the chance to win prizes, meet Thunder mascot Thor and get autographs from their favorite players. Kids are scheduled to receive a Thunder autograph card courtesy of Bremer Bank.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $7 for youth under the age of 18. You can also order a bag lunch inside the stadium for $5 that includes a hot dog, chips and 20 ounce pop. Call 651-917-8326 or visit www.mnthunder.com to purchase tickets.

THUNDER LAUNCH INAUGURAL LAWN SIGN PROMOTION

The Minnesota Thunder, in conjunction with the Star Tribune, has launched a lawn sign promotion geared towards promoting the team's new location in St. Paul. On a first-come, first-serve basis, fans can pick up a lawn sign this week at the team's office in St. Paul (2124 University Avenue West). Signs can also be picked up at the June 12 game against the Seattle Sounders at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul (6 p.m. kickoff).

Thunder mascot Thor will be giving away weekly prizes to a number of fans displaying a sign in their yard.

The signs have three separate messages: "Soccer in the City", "Soccer Spoken Here", and "Futbol Se Habla Aqui." You can check out the three versions by clicking on the following link www.mnthunder.com/lawn_signs.shtml

FERRUZZI TO COMPETE IN REPRESENTATIVE XI

Thunder midfielder Marco Ferruzzi has been named to the US roster for the second US Representative XI versus England National Game XI match at Charleston's Blackbaud Stadium on June 9. The game will Feature USL standouts from the A-League and Pro Soccer League (PSL), who will represent the United States versus the English Nationwide Conference All-Stars.

The inaugural game between these two sides was played in March of 2002 in Stevenage Borough, England. England won that game by a score of 2-1.

Tickets for the US Representative XI versus England National Game XI match are priced at $8 - $15 and are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com

THUNDER DEFEAT HMONG ALL-STARS 5-0

The Minnesota Thunder defeated a local Hmong all-star team at the Dakota County Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 6 in an exhibition game. Jeff Matteo and Francis Doe each scored two goals, while Chris Vorenkamp added another to send the Thunder to victory.

THE LOCAL TO SHOW EURO 2004

EURO 2004, the third biggest sporting event in the world, starts this Saturday and The Local in Minneapolis has got all the action. Every minute of every game is LIVE on the big screen and for only $20/day soccer fans can catch both of the matches showing each day. For more details and a full listing of the schedule, check out the website www.the-local.com.

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USL First Division Stories from June 8, 2004


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