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Thunder to host Real Salt Lake

June 30, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Thursday, June 30, 2005)--The Minnesota Thunder announced today that it will host Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer on Wednesday, July 13 at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. in this third round match of the U.S. Open Cup Tournament. Fans will have an opportunity to see major soccer stars like Clint Mathis, Jason Kreis, and Eddie Pope who are all scheduled to appear in the match.

Tickets for this game are available by calling 651-917-TEAM or by visiting www.mnthunder.com. Discounted family four packs are available by calling the Thunder office. Fans can enjoy four VIP tickets ($80 value) for only $70 or two adult general admission tickets and two youth general admission tickets ($50 value) for only $44.

"This game is going to be tremendous," said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "We want our fans to create an atmosphere much like last year's Open Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes. Griffin Stadium was electrifying that night and that's a big reason why I've coined it the greatest game in Thunder history."

The Thunder advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup tournament by beating the Chicago Fire Premier Wednesday night by a score of 2-1 at Griffin Stadium.

Real Salt Lake is a new expansion team in MLS for the 2005 season. This team is the home to many soccer superstars including Clint Mathis, Jason Kreis, and Eddie Pope.

Mathis has 46 appearances for the U.S. National Team and is eleventh on the all-time goal scoring list with 12. He was a key factor in the national team's success in the 2002 World Cup. Mathis has also spent time in the Bundesliga with Hannover 96. In 2005 Mathis has started all 14 games for Real Salt Lake and has tallied three assists.

Pope is one of the most accomplished defenders in U.S. soccer history. He helped capture the MLS Cup on three occasions with D.C. United (1996, 1997, 1999) including scoring the "golden goal" in 1996 to secure the victory over Los Angeles. Pope won the 1997 MLS Defender of the Year award, along with the MLS Best XI honors in 1997 and 1998.

Kreis is the all-time leading goal scorer for MLS. With a total of 96 goals and 66 assists, his 263 points put him at the top of the point list in MLS. In 1999, Kreis was the first American-born player to be named league MVP after he led the league in points and goals and also registered the first 15 goal, 15 assist season in league history. The five-time all-star has led his team in goals five times and in points four times.



USL First Division Stories from June 30, 2005


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