Minnesota Thunder News Release - www.mnthunder.com
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
ST PAUL, MN -- The Minnesota Thunder announced that pending league and federation approval, Mexican midfielder Ricardo Sanchez has agreed to a one-year contract with a two year option. Sanchez comes to Minnesota from the now defunct California Victory. The 2007 season was Sanchez’s first in the United Soccer Leagues.
Sanchez hails from Guadalajara, Mexico. The 5’9, 25 year-old midfielder has played throughout Mexico, including stints at Chivas and Atlas. He also captained the Mexico U17 national team during the 1999 U17 World Cup in New Zealand. Mexico advanced out of their group, losing 3-2 in the quarterfinals to the US U-17 team that included Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley.
In 2007, Sanchez finished second in the USL 1st Division with 70 shots in 23 games. He scored a memorable goal in overtime for the Victory that knocked the Thunder out of the US Open Cup in the second round. Sanchez also assisted on a goal against the Thunder in a 2-1 win on July 26th.
“Ricardo is a skilled and passionate player that will add a great deal to our attacking mindset,” said Thunder head coach Amos Magee. “He is a fiery competitor that brings an exceptional left foot to Minnesota. We expect Ricardo to delight and thrill the Thunder fans.”
“When we met after the season, we identified the opposing players that had caused us the most difficulty. Ricardo was at the top of that list. We’re very excited to bring him to Minnesota and get him on our team,” said Thunder general manager Djorn Buchholz.
Thunder bring in Moran and Altman
The Minnesota Thunder announced the signing of defender Paul Moran and midfielder Kyle Altman, pending league and federation approval. Moran was picked up in the Thunder combine last month after spending the 2007 season with the Montreal Impact. Altman was a member of Thunder head coach Amos Magee’s recent Gold Medal US Maccabi Team.
Moran has signed a one-year contract with a one-year option, while Altman signed a one-year contract with a two-year option.
“Paul impressed the entire coaching staff at the Thunder’s 2008 combine,” said Magee. “He is solid defensively, good with both feet and provides us with another defender that can add to the attack at any time.”
Moran played with the Fresno Fuego in the USL Premier Development League from 2004 to 2006. In his last season with Fresno, he played in 13 games, scoring one goal in 1,076 minutes of play.
Moran played four seasons of college soccer and was with Santa Clara University from 2001 to 2002, spent the 2003 season with Fresno State and ended his college career in 2004 with Fresno Pacific University.
Altman is a rookie to professional soccer, but Magee saw what he needed to see at the Pan-American Maccabi games held recently in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Kyle has been on our wish list since day one of the Maccabi USA training camp,” said Magee. He’s an exceptional passer, very good in the air, and is fearless in a tackle. He is a versatile player that will bring outstanding ability and depth to our team this season.”
Altman is a two-time DIII All-American from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft by the New England Revolution. Kyle played every minute of every game for Coach Magee at the Maccabi games.
The Minnesota Thunder will open its home season on Sunday, May 4 at James Griffin Stadium against the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 5:05 p.m. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting www.mnthunder.com or by calling 651.917.8326.
