From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Minnesota Thunder is an American professional soccer team, founded in 1990. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.
They currently play at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, around 19 miles north of downtown Minneapolis. The team is currently coached by Amos Magee. The team's colors are navy blue, light blue, silver and white.
The team has a sister organization, the Minnesota Lightning, who play in the women's USL W-League.
[edit] 2008 Roster
as of June 3, 2008
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year |
League |
Reg. Season |
Playoffs |
Open Cup |
| 1994 |
USISL |
1st, Midwest |
Final |
Did not enter |
| 1995 |
USISL Pro League |
1st, Midwest East |
Final |
Did not qualify |
| 1996 |
USISL Select League |
2nd, Central |
Semifinals |
Did not qualify |
| 1997 |
USISL A-League |
5th, Central |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
| 1998 |
USISL A-League |
2nd, Central |
Final |
Did not qualify |
| 1999 |
USL A-League |
1st, Central |
Champion |
2nd Round |
| 2000 |
USL A-League |
1st, Central |
Final |
3rd Round |
| 2001 |
USL A-League |
6th, Western |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
| 2002 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Central |
Conference Semifinals |
3rd Round |
| 2003 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Central |
Final |
3rd Round |
| 2004 |
USL A-League |
3rd, Western |
Quarterfinals |
Quarterfinals |
| 2005 |
USL First Division |
10th |
Did not qualify |
Semifinals |
| 2006 |
USL First Division |
12th |
Did not qualify |
2nd Round |
| 2007 |
USL First Division |
11th |
Did not qualify |
2nd Round |
[edit] Stadium History
The Thunder's first home field was the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota where they played until 2003. As of May 12, 2008, they have returned to the National Sports Center with a lease until 2011.[1]
In between, the Thunder played home matches at James Griffin Stadium, also known as "The Jimmy", in St Paul. The move to this stadium in central St. Paul was made in 2004 in an attempt to reduce overhead costs and market to a more urban and ethnic crowd.
The Metrodome is occasionally used as a home field. Macalester Stadium at Macalester College in St. Paul has also been used for games in the past.
[edit] Supporters
There is a group of active fans loosely grouped under the name the Dark Clouds. The supporters will typically tailgate before the game and during halftime, sit behind the opposing bench during games, stand and chant throughout the game, and occasionally travel with the team on road games.
[edit] Notable former players
[edit] Head Coaches
[edit] Hall of Fame
The following people have been inducted into the Minnesota Thunder Hall of Fame:
[edit] Achievements
[edit] Trivia
- The Thunder have defeated four MLS teams in 2004 and 2005.
- The official mascot of the Minnesota Thunder is Thor.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Rand, Michael. "Thunder bolting St. Paul, returning to former home in Blaine immediately." Minneapolis Star-Tribune, May 12, 2008. http://www.startribune.com/sports/18867744.html
 |
Sports teams based in Minnesota |
| Baseball |
MLB: Minnesota Twins, AA: St. Paul Saints, NwL: Alexandria Beetles • Brainerd Blue Thunder • Duluth Huskies • Mankato MoonDogs • Rochester Honkers • St. Cloud River Bats |
| Basketball |
NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves, WNBA: Minnesota Lynx |
| Football |
NFL: Minnesota Vikings, NWFA: Minnesota Vixen |
| Hockey |
NHL: Minnesota Wild, NAHL: Albert Lea Thunder • Alexandria Blizzard • Owatonna Express, WWHL: Minnesota Whitecaps |
| Soccer |
USL-1: Minnesota Thunder, WL: Minnesota Lightning, NPSL: St. Paul Twin Stars |
| Lacrosse |
NLL: Minnesota Swarm |
College athletics
(NCAA Division I) |
University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, Mankato (Hockey), St. Cloud State University (Hockey), University of Minnesota Duluth (Hockey) Bemidji State University(Hockey) |
Djorn Buchholz
