Thunder Summer Camp Schedule To Be Announced

Published on January 30, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, January 20, 2006) - Minnesota Thunder head coach Amos Magee saw one of his off-season wishes come true Monday when the team announced the signing of central defender Dustin Branan to a three-year contract. Branan returns to the Thunder after spending the 2005 season with the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer.

"The day I got the head coaching job I gave Dustin a call to see if he was interested in returning to the Thunder," said Magee. "He was instrumental in the Thunder's outstanding defense in 2004 and I expect that with him, we will be a difficult team to score on this season."

The Lakeville, Minn. native anchored the Thunder defense in 2004 that allowed only 23 goals during regular season play which propelled him to First Team A-League All-League Team honors. He was also named Thunder Defender of the Year in that same season. The previous year Branan was named the team's Rookie of the Year after joining the team mid-season upon completing is college career at Brown University.

The 6-3 defender will be instrumental in tightening up a defense that allowed 42 goals in 2005.

"Signing Dustin has made us a stronger team overnight," said Djorn Buchholz, general manager of the Thunder. "Having Dustin on board for the next three years brings us consistency at a very important spot on the field. I'm excited to see him in a Thunder uniform again."

The Thunder will open up its season on April 23, 2006 at 5:05 p.m. in the Metrodome against the defending USL First Division Champions the Seattle Sounders. Season tickets are currently on sale by logging onto www.mnthunder.com or by calling 651-917-TEAM.

THUNDER SUMMER SOCCER CAMP SCHEDULE WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEK The Minnesota Thunder will be announcing the schedule for its popular Summer Soccer Camps this coming week. This summer will mark the Thunder's largest summer camp program ever with over 40 camps in various locations throughout the Twin Cities between the months of June and August.

New in 2006, all campers will receive a FULL camp kit that includes 2 T-shirts, 1 short, 2 pairs of socks, and a sling backpack.

With the addition of the new W-League team, there will be a NEW All-Girls camp that will be coached by a majority of female coaches and led by the Minnesota W-League coach, Danny Storlien.

The Thunder has put together the most knowledgeable and complete coaching staff in the region with current director of camps Zafer Kilickan, Thunder head coach Amos Magee and the additions of:

-Manny Lagos (US National Team) -Katia (Brazil National Team) -Mark Abboud (Technical Director) -John Swallen (Goalkeeper Coach) -Danny Storlien (W-League Coach) -Julie Eibensteiner (W-League Assistant Coach) -Matt Holmes (Former Thunder Player) -Aaron Leventhal (Strength & Conditioning Coach) -And many more favorite men's and women's players

To be added to the camp brochure mailing list, please call Trina Kramer at 651-917-2828 or send her an email at trina@mnthunder.com

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USL First Division Stories from January 30, 2006


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