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Two local Thunder players receive national honors

September 8, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Wednesday, September 8, 2004) -- The Minnesota Thunder announced today that defender Dustin Branan and goalkeeper Joe Warren have been selected to the United Soccer League's 2004 A-League All-League Teams.

Lakeville, Minn. native, Dustin Branan was selected to the First Team, while Minneapolis, Minn. native, Joe Warren was selected to the Second Team. Both players anchored the Thunder's defense that gave up the second least goals (23) in the A-league this season.

Branan started all 28 regular season and two playoff matches for the Thunder this year. Deadly in the air on corner kicks, Branan scored twice from headers on set plays. In the Thunder's U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal, Branan scored an emotional goal that tied the score 2-2 in the final minutes of regulation against the reigning Major League Soccer Champion San Jose Earthquakes.

"Dustin, in just his second year in the league, was such an instrumental player for us this season," said head coach Buzz Lagos. "He is consistent, strong in the air, hardworking and just an all around solid citizen."

Warren is in his fifth season with the Thunder and started 27 regular season and two playoff matches in 2004. Warren finished second in the league with a goals against average (GAA) of .686 and chalked up 15 shutouts in over 2,600 minutes of play.

"Joe has turned into one of the top keepers in the entire league," said Lagos. "He has a great presence in the goal and brought a sense of maturity to such a young, but strong, defense. Joe came up big for us when he needed to and earned his captain badge this year."

The Thunder will announce its individual player awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, and Humanitarian of the year on Monday, September 13.

For off-season updates on the Thunder, be sure to visit www.mnthunder.com.



USL First Division Stories from September 8, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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