The Minnesota Thunder have no general manager, no coach, 3 employees and a boat load of bills. Will they survive, and will Dean Johnson ask for help?

Four weeks ago, Inside Minnesota Soccer conducted a phone interview with Minnesota Thunder owner Dean Johnson while he was in Chicago trying to close a business deal.

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The Minnesota Thunder have no general manager, no coach, 3 employees and a boat load of bills. Will they survive, and will Dean Johnson ask for help?

Four weeks ago, Inside Minnesota Soccer conducted a phone interview with Minnesota Thunder owner Dean Johnson while he was in Chicago trying to close a business deal.

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Yeah I'm almost a week behind on this, but was thinking the team may actually announce more winners than just MVP, Golden Boot and Humanitarian of the Year. Anyways, this year, the award winners consisted of 2 players, Josh Wolff and Jimmy Conrad.
Wolff won both the MVP award and the Golden Boot. Click to continue reading...

Canadian Press are reporting that USL league owners, Alek Papadakis is saying that "The negotiations are finished," Papadakis told CKAC.� "We decided to continue our preparation for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us." Papadakis was refering to the ongoing talk with the Team Owners Association or TOA that have been organized for well over a year and have failed to pay renewel fees to the USL for the 2010 season.

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Canadian Press are reporting that USL league owner, Alek Papadakis is saying that "The negotiations are finished," Papadakis told CKAC.� "We decided to continue our preparation for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us." Papadakis was referring to the ongoing talk with the Team Owners Association or TOA that have been organized for well over a year and have failed to pay renewal fees to the USL for the 2010 season.

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The Austin Aztex will announce today the hiring of Djorn Buchholz as Chief Executive Officer of the USL-1 franchise.

Buchholz, a 30-year-old Nebraska native, has been with the Minnesota Thunder for 6 years. He was hired as a sales and marketing manager and was promoted his second year to director of marketing.

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The Austin Aztex will announce today the hiring of Djorn Buchholz as Chief Executive Officer of the USL-1 franchise.

Buchholz, a 30-year-old Nebraska native, has been with the Minnesota Thunder for 6 years. He was hired as a sales and marketing manager and was promoted his second year to director of marketing.

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The name Mallace may be Scottish but it's a familiar one to most Minnesota soccer fans. Both Calum and his older brother Craig who were born in Torphichen, Scotland, were four year starters at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Craig went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and then spent several years with the Minnesota Thunder.

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The name Mallace may be Scottish but it's a familiar one to most Minnesota soccer fans. Both Calum and his older brother Craig who were born in Torphichen, Scotland, were four year starters at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Craig went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and then spent several years with the Minnesota Thunder.

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MONTREAL, QC – Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Montreal Impact became the third club in league history to win a third league championship, downing the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps 6-3 on aggregate in the USL First Division Championship series with a 3-1 victory in the second leg at Stade Saputo Saturday before a sold out crowd of over 13,000.

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Montreal Impact defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in 2nd leg of USL First Division Championship.

MONTREAL, QC – Saturday, October 17, 2009
USL News Release

The Montreal Impact became the third club in league history to win a third league championship, downing the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps 6-3 on aggregate in the USL First Division Championship series with a 3-1 victory in the second leg at Stade Saputo Saturday before a sold out crowd of over 13,000.

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Montreal Impact defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in 2nd leg of USL First Division Championship.

MONTREAL, QC – Saturday, October 17, 2009
USL News Release

The Montreal Impact became the third club in league history to win a third league championship, downing the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps 6-3 on aggregate in the USL First Division Championship series with a 3-1 victory in the second leg at Stade Saputo Saturday before a sold out crowd of over 13,000.

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Peter Wilt started his soccer management career with the Milwaukee Wave as director of marketing in 1987. 22 years later he has found himself back where it all started after working with the Chicago Power, Continental Indoor Soccer League, Minnesota Thunder, Chicago Fire, Milwaukee Professional� Soccer and the Chicago Red Stars.

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Peter Wilt started his soccer management career with the Milwaukee Wave as director of marketing in 1987. 22 years later he has found himself back where it all started after working with the Chicago Power, Continental Indoor Soccer League, Minnesota Thunder, Chicago Fire, Milwaukee Professional� Soccer and the Chicago Red Stars.

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Things have been quite since the Team Owners Association (TOA) along with members of NuRock Holdings, the new owners of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), met in New York last week. The meetings that took place the week of October 5th and were guided by United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati were said by Brian Wellman, president of the Carolina Railhawks to sooth tensions amongst the two sides.

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Things have been quite since the Team Owners Association (TOA) along with members of NuRock Holdings, the new owners of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), met in New York last week. The meetings that took place the week of October 5th and were guided by United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati were said by Brian Wellman, president of the Carolina Railhawks to sooth tensions amongst the two sides.

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If things go according to Dean Johnson's plans, the Minnesota Thunder may have a new look next year. Not necessarily on the field, but in regard to the teams overall image and business operations. Johnson is the owner of the Thunder along with WingField business partner Henk Habers. Johnson said in and interview conducted via phone last Saturday, that he plans to recapitilze the Thunder.

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If things go according to Dean Johnson's plans, the Minnesota Thunder may have a new look next year. Not necessarily on the field, but in regard to the teams overall image and business operations. Johnson is the owner of the Thunder along with WingField business partner Henk Habers. Johnson said in and interview conducted via phone last Saturday, that he plans to recapitilze the Thunder.

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My first trip to the Sweetwater Bar and Grille was after a Minnesota Thunder game back in (I believe) 2004. Saeed Ghasemi, the owner of the Sweetwater had worked out a deal with a relative who happened to be the owner of the Minnesota Thunder. The Sweetwater had become the post game party location for the Thunder.

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My first trip to the Sweetwater Bar and Grille was after a Minnesota Thunder game back in (I believe) 2004. Saeed Ghasemi, the owner of the Sweetwater had worked out a deal with a relative who happened to be the owner of the Minnesota Thunder. The Sweetwater had become the post game party location for the Thunder.

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The drama continues. Following on the first installment, here's a quick update. This post doesn't present any new or breaking news, it's just a summary of events to date. Most links are to Brian Quarstad's estimable Inside Minnesota Soccer blog, which in more pleasant times focuses on the Minnesota Thunder, but which has been all over this whole story from the start, like white on rice. Click to continue reading...

Last Saturday Inside Minnesota Soccer broke the news that United Soccer League President Tim Holt had sent out emails to all players who were under contract with the Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC Blues and Minnesota Thunder. Holt claimed that those three teams who were also known to be leaders in the Team Owners Association (TOA) had not renewed their franchise fees for the 2010 season.

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Last Saturday Inside Minnesota Soccer broke the news that United Soccer League President Tim Holt had sent out emails to all players who were under contract with the Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC Blues and Minnesota Thunder. Holt claimed that those three teams who were also known to be leaders in the Team Owners Association (TOA) had not renewed their franchise fees for the 2010 season.

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Inside Minnesota Soccer has finally received a copy of the letter that United Soccer League president Tim Holt emailed last Friday to all players under contract with USL-1 teams from the Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC Blues and Minnesota Thunder.

As is now widely reported, those three teams constitute the heart of the Team Owners Association and none of those USL-1 teams have yet to renew their franchise agreement for the 2010 season.

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Inside Minnesota Soccer has finally received a copy of the letter that United Soccer League president Tim Holt emailed last Friday to all players under contract with USL-1 teams from the Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC Blues and Minnesota Thunder.

As is now widely reported, those three teams constitute the heart of the Team Owners Association and none of those USL-1 teams have yet to renew their franchise agreement for the 2010 season.

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One of my hooked in connections to the USL says three teams are leaving the league. Click to continue reading...

USL President Tim Holt.

Boy I get back into town and starting seeing more USL headlines today. According to reports (thanks to Inside Minnesota Soccer), the USSF is meeting today with USL officials and TOA officials regarding the ongoing situation with the recent sale of the USL.

Apparently Tim Holt the president of USL sent letters to players for three clubs, the Carolina Railhawks, the Minnesota Thunder and Miami FC.

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In an brief article in todays News and Observer out of Carry, NC, they are reporting that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is in New York and meeting with United Soccer League (USL) officials and members of the Team Owners Association (TOA). This confirms reports that IMS has received from several sources that Sunil Gulati, president of the USSF has called a meeting in his home state of New York to attempt to resolve the conflict.

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In an brief article in todays News and Observer out of Carry, NC, they are reporting that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is in New York and meeting with United Soccer League (USL) officials and members of the Team Owners Association (TOA). This confirms reports that IMS has received from several sources that Sunil Gulati, president of the USSF has called a meeting in his home state of New York to attempt to resolve the conflict.

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South Florida Soccer Fans may be the ones that enticed a group of investors to discuss an MLS team in Miami with Beckham.
A recent conversation among South Florida Soccer fans revealed that some time ago a letter was sent to David Beckham urging him to bring a team to Miami. Letters were also sent to possible investors around the country. Click to continue reading...

USL President Tim Holt The future of USL-1 remains in limbo thanks to ongoing contention between a group of team owners and the leadership of USL. The Team Owners Association (TOA), a cadre of USL-1...

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The Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact will battle for the 2009 USL-1 Championship but the big story around USL is the removal of the Minnesota Thunder, Miami FC Blues and Carolina RailHawks team sites from USLSoccer.com
Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer reported on Friday that USL President Tim Holt had sent emails addressing the players at Minnesota, Miami and Carolina that they had been released from their contracts. Click to continue reading...

IMS is still working on getting a copy of the letter that USL President Tim Holt sent to players who where under contract with the Carolina Railhawks, Minnesota Thunder and Miami FC Blues but have still not been able to get the original document.

Tim Holt of USL was emailed and called for a comment and did not return either message.

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IMS is still working on getting a copy of the letter that USL President Tim Holt sent to players who where under contract with the Carolina Railhawks, Minnesota Thunder and Miami FC Blues but have still not been able to get the original document.

Tim Holt of USL was emailed and called for a comment and did not return either message.

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Inside Minnesota Soccer had learned that United Soccer League President Tim Holt has released the players from USL-1 teams, Minnesota, Carolina and Miami FC from their contracts. In an email on Friday and addressed to all players from the 3-teams they were told that they were being released from their contracts.

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