Thunder hosts Chicago Fire Premier Wednesday

Published on June 27, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


THUNDER HOSTS CHICAGO FIRE PREMIER WEDNESDAY

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, June 27, 2005)--The Minnesota Thunder will host the Chicago Fire Premier on Wednesday, June 29, at James Griffin Stadium in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. All youth soccer players that wear a soccer jersey to Wednesday's game will be admitted FREE when accompanied with a paying adult.

"This will be a real test for our team," said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "Last year the Boulder Rapids Reserve ended up being a very tough match for us. We are not overlooking Chicago and we are taking this game very seriously."

The Premier are members of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) and have been one of the best teams in the league over the years. They are currently one of only two teams still undefeated in the league and sit at 8-0-1. The Premier are averaging 2.66 goals per game and allowing only .66 goals against.

If the Thunder defeats the Premier on Wednesday, it will host Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer on July 13 at Griffin Stadium. Thunder fans would see notable players such as Clint Mathis, Eddie Pope, and Jason Kreis.

The U.S. Open Cup tournament has $180,000 in prize money broken down as follows: $100,000 to the champion, $50,000 to the runner up and $10,000 to the team which advances deepest in the tournament from each of the Division II, Division III and amateur levels.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. First held in 1914, it is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor long-time soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. For more information on the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, visit U.S. Soccer's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup section at www.usopencup.com.

MANNY LAGOS RETIRES

Head Coach Buzz Lagos confirmed that his son, Manny Lagos, has retired from professional soccer, ending a 14-year professional soccer career which began with the Thunder in 1990. Manny Lagos spent six seasons with the Thunder and was nominated as the USISL MVP in 1994 with 18 goals and nine assists.

"I feel like that I have been blessed with a great career," said Manny Lagos. "I want to thank my family and friends for their support during my career, particularly my mother and father. I also especially want to thank my wife, Aimee, and I am looking forward to spending more time with her and my two boys."

Manny Lagos is a member of the Thunder Hall of Fame and was instrumental in getting the club off the ground.

"Much of the success of this club in the early stages was due to the dedication of players like Manny, Tony (Sanneh), Gerard (Lagos), and Amos (Magee), said Buzz Lagos. "It was those players that put this club on the map as one of the top teams in the country."

DORADOS TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m. for the Thunder's match on July 19 at 7:35 p.m. against Dorados de Sinaloa (Mexican First Division). Tickets can be purchased at all TicketMaster locations or through the Thunder and National Sports Center box office. This marks the first time in the history of the state that a Mexican First Division team will play in Minnesota. This game will be held at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

NEXT REGULAR SEASON HOME GAME SATURDAY

The Thunder's next regular season home game will be Saturday, July 2, at 7:05 p.m. against the Seattle Sounders. It's Liberian heritage night with food and a special musical appearance by Liberian singer Lucky Shango. For tickets, call 651-917-TEAM or visit the Thunder website at www.mnthunder.com.

THUNDER TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY ON JULY 4

The Thunder will hold an exhibition game on July 4 at 7:05 p.m. in celebration of independence day against a Somali all-star team. This game will be held at James Griffin Stadium. The all-stars are comprised of players from the Somali American Independence Day soccer tournament that is taking place all of this week. Tickets for this event are $10 for general admission and $15 for VIP. For tickets, call 651-917-TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com.

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USL First Division Stories from June 27, 2005


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