Thunder set to battle Seattle Sunday

Published on April 21, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


Friday, April 21, 2006 (St. Paul, Minn.) -- The Minnesota Thunder will begin a new season and a new era on Sunday when they host the Seattle Sounders at 3:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium. For the first time in the organization's 17-year history, the Thunder will be directed by someone other than legendary coach Buzz Lagos, who retired at the end of last season. Former Thunder player and assistant coach Amos Magee has taken over as head coach, and expects the 2006 Thunder to have a fresh and dynamic new look. "We will be a very young team to start the season, which will be exciting for our fans as well as our organization," Magee said.

Admission to Sunday's game is FREE, as the Thunder is partnering with the United Way and Thunder P.L.U.S. to use it as a charity event. FREE shuttles will be running to and from the game beginning at 2 p.m. from the Sweetwater Bar & Grill at the Kelly Inn and from O'Garas located on Snelling Avenue.

About the Thunder

The highlight of the 2005 season was the Thunder's performance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Minnesota defeated three MLS teams (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Kansas City Wizards) en route to advancing to the US Open Cup semifinals for the first time in team history. The Thunder finished the 2005 USL regular season with a 7-11-10 record, but has added some key players in hopes of returning to the league playoffs in 2006. Defender Dustin Branan is back after playing in MLS, and should immediately improve the Thunder's defense. Minnesota returns two key offensive players in forwards Melvin Tarley and Aaron Paye, who scored seven goals apiece last season. Tarley returns to the Thunder after leaving half way through the 2005 season to play for Real Salt Lake of MLS. Goalkeeper Joe Warren is also back in the net for his seventh season with the Thunder.

About the Sounders

Seattle is the defending USL First Division Champions, after defeating the Richmond Kickers in penalty kicks in the championship game. The Sounders posted an 11-6-11 regular season record in 2005 for the fourth-best in the division. Forward Roger Levesque returns after leading the team with six goals and three assists last season. The Sounders are without three key players from last season, however, as goalkeeper Preston Burpo, defender Taylor Graham and midfielder Brent Whitfield and are all now with MLS teams.

Thunder Head Coach Amos Magee

"There's no better way to start a season and a coaching career by playing the defending champions. We brought some experience to our defense and added some speed to our attack. The strength of our team the last two years has been our midfield, and it will remain strong, if not stronger."

"Seattle will bring one of the most explosive offenses and will be very organized in back. Coach Brian Schmetzer is one of the sharpest and best coaches in the league."

Last Season's Series

The Thunder posted a 0-2-2 record versus Seattle last year. The Sounders won 3-1 on July 2 in James Griffin Stadium and 1-0 on July 23 at Qwest Field. The teams tied 2-2 on July 10 in Minnesota and 0-0 on August 6 in Seattle.

Up Next

The Thunder will next embark on a four game road trip beginning on May 6 against the Portland Timbers. The next Thunder home game is on Saturday, May 27 against the Timbers at 7:35 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine. For ticket information, visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.917.TEAM.

THUNDER MAKES TWO ADDITIONAL SIGNINGS, SIGN WOODBURY NATIVE KALLMAN

The Minnesota Thunder continued to add the final pieces to its roster on Friday by signing Woodbury native Brian Kallman and University of Dayton product Terry Alvino.

Brian Kallman, a 2002 graduate of Woodbury High School, was selected in the 2nd round of the USL 2006 College Draft by the Thunder. Kallman attended the University of Jacksonville for three years before transferring to Creighton University for his final year of college. Kallman played in all 23 games for the Blue Jays in 2005, helping anchor a defense that gave up only 19 goals all season and lost to Clemson 1-0 in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

"Brian is an exceptional one-on-one defender who adds even more athleticism and pace to an already improved defense," said Thunder Coach Amos Magee. "He was very good in our preseason trip and is a player that I hope will impress Minnesotans with his desire and toughness for many years to come."

Terry Alvino, a native of St. Louis, MO was used by the University of Dayton Flyers as a defensive midfielder. Alvino, scored two goals and six assists in his lone season with the Flyers in 2005. Alvino helped the Flyers to six shutout victories and scored three game-winning goals. He spent his first three collegiate seasons at Division II University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, where he was an All-America pick his junior year.

"Terry spent much of the preseason with the Chicago Fire and was one of the last players cut," added Magee. "He gives us more toughness and size (6'0, 185) in the center of our midfield. We expect Terry to give our already talented midfield even more options."

Both Kallman and Alvino will be available for the Thunder's Season Opener on April 23, 2006 at 3:05 p.m. against the defending USL First Division Champions the Seattle Sounders. The game will be played at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul and will be free to the public. The game will be a charity event for the United Way and the Minnesota Thunder P.L.U.S. 2006 Season ticket packages are currently on sale by logging onto www.mnthunder.com or by calling 651-917-TEAM.

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