Thunder president Manny Lagos spoke briefly to IMS this morning and confirmed the Thunders role with the TOA but also said they are focusing on internal issues at this time. Lagos said, "We are still trying to continue to grow and develop soccer with the Thunder in Minnesota."

Lagos also said that Dean Johnson, owner of the Thunder had been in contact with Lagos and the two had spoken this morning before the TOA press statement had been released.

Thunder president Manny Lagos spoke briefly to IMS this morning and confirmed the Thunder's role with the TOA but also said they are focusing on internal issues at this time. Lagos said, "We are still trying to continue to grow and develop soccer with the Thunder in Minnesota."

Lagos also said that Dean Johnson, owner of the Thunder, had been in contact with Lagos and the two had spoken this morning before the TOA press statement had been released.

Inside Minnesota Soccer has learned that the Minnesota Thunder have released all players from their contracts last Tuesday, November 3.

According to one player who was contracted with the Thunder, the team were forced to release the players as they could no longer pay their contracts and because they are free agents.

Inside Minnesota Soccer has learned that the Minnesota Thunder have released all players from their contracts last Tuesday, November 3.

According to one player who was contracted with the Thunder, the team were forced to release the players as they could no longer pay their contracts and because they are free agents.

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.

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.

Living in the shadow of a parent who was a professional athlete is never an easy thing to do. But Minnesota native Teal Bunbury is making his own mark on the soccer world.

Teal, the son of Alex and Kristi Bunbury is a sophomore forward for Division-I Akron of Ohio and this year leads his team with 10 goals and is also top for points with 23.

Living in the shadow of a parent who was a professional athlete is never an easy thing to do. But Minnesota native Teal Bunbury is making his own mark on the soccer world.

Teal, the son of Alex and Kristi Bunbury is a sophomore forward for Division-I Akron of Ohio and this year leads his team with 10 goals and is also top for points with 23.

Rochester, MN – Forward Teal Bunbury was honored with the Rochester Thunder's first-ever post-season individual award last week as he was named to the Premier Development League's Central Conference All-Conference team. The team is composed of players from the PDL's Heartland and Great Lakes Divisions.

Rochester, MN – Forward Teal Bunbury was honored with the Rochester Thunder's first-ever post-season individual award last week as he was named to the Premier Development League's Central Conference All-Conference team. The team is composed of players from the PDL's Heartland and Great Lakes Divisions.

The Rochester Thunder finished their inaugural season in Thunder Bay on Thursday evening drawing the Chill 1-1. The Thunder were outshot by the Thunder Bay a whopping 17-5 but possession was much closer than that. Thunder coach Neal Cassidy said that was the game plan.

"We only traveled with a roster of 17 because we were not aware that some of our players needed visas to get into Canada," said Cassidy.

The Rochester Thunder finished their inaugural season in Thunder Bay on Thursday evening drawing the Chill 1-1. The Thunder were outshot by the Thunder Bay a whopping 17-5 but possession was much closer than that. Thunder coach Neal Cassidy said that was the game plan.

"We only traveled with a roster of 17 because we were not aware that some of our players needed visas to get into Canada," said Cassidy.

Rochester, MN – 7/16/09
Two Rochester Thunder players have been asked to play with the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder in an exhibition game against Guatemalan league champion C.S.D Comunicaciones. Defender Justin Hoskins and midfielder Kentaro Takada will get the chance to impress the Minnesota Thunder coaching staff during the match, to be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN, on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 7:35 pm.

Rochester, MN – 7/16/09
Two Rochester Thunder players have been asked to play with the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder in an exhibition game against Guatemalan league champion C.S.D Comunicaciones. Defender Justin Hoskins and midfielder Kentaro Takada will get the chance to impress the Minnesota Thunder coaching staff during the match, to be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN, on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 7:35 pm.

Dear me, I've done it again. I spent too much time watching soccer and spending time with friends and family instead of sticking myself in front of a computer and writing lots of content for Inside Minnesota Soccer. I'm with Sep Blatter, it would be a bit easier if we were on the European football schedule where one could write about soccer during the cold weather months when you can't do as much outdoors.

Dear me, I've done it again. I spent too much time watching soccer and spending time with friends and family instead of sticking myself in front of a computer and writing lots of content for Inside Minnesota Soccer. I'm with Sep Blatter, it would be a bit easier if we were on the European football schedule where one could write about soccer during the cold weather months when you can't do as much outdoors.

On Friday evening the Rochester Thunder were home again at Rochester Community Technical College. The previous weekend found the team on the road and in Springfield, Missouri to play the Demize, a game they lost to 1-0. Coach Neal Cassidy said that defeat was one of the teams worst performances of the year, so he was eager to have his Rochester Thunder not only win but to show well with this rematch of the Demize.

On Friday evening the Rochester Thunder were home again at Rochester Community Technical College. The previous weekend found the team on the road and in Springfield, Missouri to play the Demize, a game they lost to 1-0. Coach Neal Cassidy said that defeat was one of the teams worst performances of the year, so he was eager to have his Rochester Thunder not only win but to show well with this rematch of the Demize.

Rochester Thunder with only one more home game after this weekend.

The Rochester Thunder soccer team will be back in action, with two matches at home this weekend. The Thunder is currently fourth in the PDL's Heartland Division, and a pair of wins this weekend would take them within one point of a playoff spot.

Rochester Thunder with only one more home game after this weekend.

The Rochester Thunder soccer team will be back in action, with two matches at home this weekend. The Thunder is currently fourth in the PDL's Heartland Division, and a pair of wins this weekend would take them within one point of a playoff spot.

The Minnesota Lightning continued their winning ways last Thursday evening as they played a home game at the National Sports Center against the Fort Wayne Fever and defeated them 5-1.
Scoring Summery: Kallman (Hans) 4 FW: Ward 13 MIN: Smith 17 MIN: Smith (Kallman) 43 MIN: Redberg (Malone-Polvone) 44 MIN: Solie 52.

The Minnesota Lightning continued their winning ways last Thursday evening as they played a home game at the National Sports Center against the Fort Wayne Fever and defeated them 5-1.
Scoring Summery: Kallman (Hans) 4 FW: Ward 13 MIN: Smith 17 MIN: Smith (Kallman) 43 MIN: Redberg (Malone-Polvone) 44 MIN: Solie 52.

Thunder 1-2 Puerto Rico
The Minnesota Thunder continued their woeful ways with another home loss, this time to the struggling Puerto Rico Islanders. The team had stretches of play that were good but gave away too many chances to the skillful Islanders who finished those opportunity.

Thunder 1-2 Puerto Rico
The Minnesota Thunder continued their woeful ways with another home loss, this time to the struggling Puerto Rico Islanders. The team had stretches of play that were good but gave away too many chances to the skillful Islanders who finished those opportunities.

Friday - Minnesota Lightning
The weekend kicks off tonight with the Minnesota Lightnings first game and first home game of the year. The Lightning take on FC Indiana at the National Sports Center with a 7:05 kick off.

Friday - Minnesota Lightning
The weekend kicks off tonight with the Minnesota Lightnings first game and first home game of the year. The Lightning take on FC Indiana at the National Sports Center with a 7:05 kick off.

Saturday, May 23

The Rochester Thunder continued their winning ways on Saturday night, posting a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Brass in Premier Development League soccer action. After an action-packed, but scoreless first half, the Thunder struck twice in the second half. Midfielder Kentaro Takada scored on a header, from a pass by forward Mark Heath-Preston in the 57th minute.

Saturday, May 23

The Rochester Thunder continued their winning ways on Saturday night, posting a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Brass in Premier Development League soccer action. After an action-packed, but scoreless first half, the Thunder struck twice in the second half. Midfielder Kentaro Takada scored on a header, from a pass by forward Mark Heath-Preston in the 57th minute.

Rochester, MN – The Rochester Thunder Premier Development League soccer team will look to win a second consecutive game this Saturday evening, May 23, when they face the Kansas City Brass at the RCTC Stadium field at 7 pm.

The Thunder secured their first win last weekend, defeating the Real Colorado Foxes 1-0 on a rainy evening in front of a hearty crowd of more than 400.

Rochester, MN – The Rochester Thunder Premier Development League soccer team will look to win a second consecutive game this Saturday evening, May 23, when they face the Kansas City Brass at the RCTC Stadium field at 7 pm.

The Thunder secured their first win last weekend, defeating the Real Colorado Foxes 1-0 on a rainy evening in front of a hearty crowd of more than 400.

The Rochester Thunder won their inaugural home opener Friday evening, defeating Real Colorado Foxes 1-0.

The hard-fought affair was a historical first win for the PDL team. Brian Pederson had the chance to be the hero yet again for the team when a penalty kick was given to the Thunder in the 31st minute.

The Rochester Thunder won their inaugural home opener Friday evening, defeating Real Colorado Foxes 1-0.

The hard-fought affair was a historical first win for the PDL team. Brian Pederson had the chance to be the hero yet again for the team when a penalty kick was given to the Thunder in the 31st minute.

Rochester, MN – Rochester Thunder central defender Brian Pederson has been named to the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League "Team of the Week." Pederson scored both Thunder goals in the team's pair of 2-1 losses at the weekend – the first two goals in Rochester Thunder history. Pederson, who spent the last three seasons as a member of the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder, is the Rochester Thunder's first award honoree.

Rochester, MN – Rochester Thunder central defender Brian Pederson has been named to the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League "Team of the Week." Pederson scored both Thunder goals in the team's pair of 2-1 losses at the weekend – the first two goals in Rochester Thunder history. Pederson, who spent the last three seasons as a member of the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder, is the Rochester Thunder's first award honoree.

The Rochester Thunder lost twice this weekend with each match ending with a score of 2-1. On Sunday the team lost to the St. Louis Lions at the Tony Glavin soccer complex, but coach Neil Cassidy was left feeling optimistic. "I am proud of the lads this past weekend," said Cassidy. "They did what the coaching staff asked of them!