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43-536: The team was originally part of the official development system of the Minnesota Thunder former USL First Division franchise. They played their home games at RCTC Stadium on the campus of Rochester Community and Technical College . The team's colors were blue, white and silver. The Thunder joined the PDL in 2009, and played their first ever game on May 9, 2009, away at Des Moines Menace . The Thunder lost game 2–1, with

86-579: A W-League team in 2005. The team was eventually named the Minnesota Lightning in 2006 before their opening season. 2005 was the only season the Thunder turned a profit, making $ 6,000 which was immediately paid in taxes to the state of Minnesota. The Thunder defeated four MLS teams over the course of the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Open Cup competitions. Beginning in August 2007 the team spent $ 400,000 on

129-951: A beer garden called the Thunder Lounge and started the Minnesota Thunder Academy . The team also founded the Rochester Thunder in the Premier Development League . Magee resigned as Thunder manager on July 22, 2008, halfway through the 2008 season. In November 2009 the Thunder announced their intent to leave the USL First Division to become the co-founders of a new North American Soccer League . Minnesota's participation in this new league was, however, not to be. In early November 2009 they released all players from their contracts, partly in response to heavy debts and unpaid bills, including wages. The organization

172-611: A berth in the NPSL national semi-finals on a tiebreaker. Keith Dangarembwa led the team with four goals and was one of five 56ers players named to the All-Midwest team, joining goalkeeper Jon Szafranski, midfielder Pablo Delgado and defenders Trevor Banks and Brian Bultman. The 56ers made their debut in the USASA Region II Amateur Cup, losing to Croatia Cleveland 3–0, then defeating FC Indiana 3–1 and Illinois' AAC Eagles 5–3 at

215-739: A crowd of over 20,000 at Metropolitan Stadium . The team survived for six seasons competing in the North American Soccer League before folding after the 1981 season. After two years without a team the Fort Lauderdale Strikers were moved to Minnesota becoming the Minnesota Strikers in 1984. The team played one season in the NASL before transferring to the Major Indoor Soccer League . The team disbanded in 1988 after

258-510: A friendly on May 15, 2005, at Breese Stevens Field , with Jed Hohlbein scoring the team's first goal. The team finished 6–8 overall, third in the NPSL Midwest with a 5–5 record, behind NPSL champion Detroit and Milwaukee . Hohlbein was named to the inaugural NPSL All-Midwest team. In 2006, the Princeton 56ers were 12–2–4 overall and won the NPSL Midwest title with an 8–0–2 record. They lost to

301-423: A game. In the first season the team lost around $ 12,000. The next year, 1991, with the help of corporate sponsors Rainbow Foods, Kemps, and Liberty State Bank, the team played an expanded schedule with a record of eight victories and three ties losing $ 10,000 in the process. The following year the team added four more corporate sponsors and expected to lose about $ 5,000 with a budget of $ 45,000 By their third season

344-560: A hat trick in a 9–1 home win over the Madison Latino League All-Stars in a friendly on July 2, 2006. Henry Aiyenero had the fourth three-goal game in team history on July 12, 2008, in a 7–0 win over the Milwaukee Bavarians and Betinho posted the fifth on June 28, 2010, in a 9–1 victory over Eau Claire Aris FC . The nine goals against the Madison Latino League All-Stars in 2006 and Eau Claire Aris FC in 2010 stand as

387-633: A midfielder for the team in 2007 and 2008, was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes with the 17th pick of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft . Jed Hohlbein played with VfR Süsterfeld Kassel in Germany in 2009, helping the team earn promotion from the Seventh Division in the process. Midfielder Andy Adlard was selected by the Columbus Crew in the third round of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft and signed with

430-625: A sister organization, the Minnesota Lightning , which played in the women's USL W-League . Prior to the Minnesota Thunder forming in 1990 Minnesota had two former professional soccer teams. After two seasons as the Denver Dynamos the franchise was purchased by Minnesota investors and became the Minnesota Kicks . The Minnesota Kicks played the state's first professional soccer game in May 1976 to

473-520: Is part of the Madison 56ers Soccer Club, which was founded in 1956. The club has won 22 youth state championships, one men's national championship, six men's state championships, four men's USASA Region II championships and three women's state championships. The 56ers also have a team in the Women's Premier Soccer League that began in 2010. The team's first game was a 5–1 victory over Minnesota club Inferno 95 in

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516-566: The Sacramento Knights 2–0 in the NPSL championship game on July 29, 2006, with Anthony Chimienti and Alfredo Renteria scoring in the final 19 minutes. The game drew a team-record crowd of 1,351. Goalkeeper Eric Mickschl was named the NPSL Midwest MVP, while teammate Jed Hohlbein also made the All-Midwest team for the second time. In 2007, the team went 13–3–1 overall and repeated as NPSL Midwest champion with an 8–1–1 record. They lost to

559-685: The Southern California Fusion 1–0 in the NPSL semi-finals on July 27, 2007, in La Mesa, California , then defeated the Sonoma County Sol 1–0 in the third-place match on July 28, 2007. Midfielder Brad Ring was named the NPSL Midwest MVP, and was joined on the All-Midwest team by goalkeeper Ryan Germann, defender Reed Cooper, defender-midfielder Tenzin Rampa and forward Jed Hohlbein. The 56ers made their debut in U.S. Open Cup qualifying in 2007, as

602-626: The University of Wisconsin–Madison , led the team in goals in each of its first three seasons, scoring 10 in 2005 and 13 in both 2006 and 2007. He scored three goals in 2008 and one in 2010 and is the team's career leading scorer with 40 goals. Hohlbein had the 56ers' first hat trick in a 3–2 home victory over the St. Paul Twin Stars on May 20, 2006, then added another in a 4–1 home friendly win over German side SC Wiedenbruck on June 23, 2007. Andre Francois also had

645-461: The 1987–1988 season. The team was founded as an all star team in 1990. The team was composed of top amateur and former professional players who were mostly in their late 20s or early 30s. The team was coached by then Saint Paul Academy soccer coach Buzz Lagos . The team scheduled five exhibition games against teams in the A-League . At the time the goal was to eventually get a semipro soccer team for

688-517: The All-Midwest team. In the 2008 U.S. Open Cup , they won by forfeit over the Bloomington (Ind.) Cutters in the first round of Region II qualifying, then lost to RWB Adria 2–0 in the semi-finals. In 2009, the team finished 8–3–2 overall and 5–2–1 in the NPSL Midwest, tying the St. Paul Twin Stars and the Chicago Fire NPSL atop the standings. The Twin Stars were awarded the regional title and

731-597: The Capitol City Supporters, or "Cap City" for short, is the independent supporters club for the Madison 56ers SC. Cap City prides itself creating a culture that shows passion for the 56ers and the city of Madison. The Red Rebels were an earlier supporters group dedicated to the 56ers and Wisconsin Badgers. Source: [1] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Launder coached

774-553: The Midwest Region and retained their amateur status for the 1994 season. The team finished the year 25–2 losing in a sudden-death shootout to the Greensboro Dynamo in the championship game. The team became professional for the 1995 season. On July 15, 2004 coach Buzz Lagos earned his 300th victory. It was his 123rd since the Thunder joined the A-League in 1997. Lagos improved his record to 300–127–31 all-time as coach of

817-774: The Minnesota Thunder Hall of Fame: Madison 56ers Madison 56ers is an American soccer team based in Madison, Wisconsin , United States . Founded in 2005, the team plays in the United Premier Soccer League . Prior to the 2009 season the team was known as the Princeton 56ers . Since their inception the club has called Breese Stevens Field its home pitch. The team played one season at Warner Park in 2008 due to renovations at Breese Stevens Field. The team's colors are red, black and white. The 56ers NPSL side

860-576: The NPSL representative. They lost to Detroit United 2–1 in the first round of the USASA Region II qualifying tournament on April 21. A match against German Fourth Division side SC Wiedenbrück on June 23, 2007, was their first match against international competition. In 2008, the team went 7–3–2 overall and tied for second place in the NPSL Midwest with a 3–1–2 record. Henry Aiyenero was the team's leading scorer with five goals. Jed Hohlbein, Brad Ring , Reed Cooper and midfielder Trevor Banks were named to

903-567: The National Sports Center with a lease until 2011. At the time the Thunder was the only team in the USL to not play in a soccer specific stadium and the only team that played on with painted American football lines. The Metrodome was occasionally used as a home field. Macalester Stadium at Macalester College in St. Paul was also used for games in the past. While playing at the National Sports Center

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946-565: The Rochester Thunder will no longer be able to continue. With the economy the way it is and only a handful of sponsors we could not make it work financially. This is a hard decision, but one that needed to be made". This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining

989-805: The Thunder traditionally played several games a year in other locations notably Macalester College or Eastview High School in Apple Valley . The team's largest supporters' group , the Dark Clouds, were founded in 2004 and worked with the Thunder organization to make improvements to their home stadium. After the Thunder folded, the group supported the NSC Minnesota Stars and Minnesota United FC —including its later MLS incarnation . Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The following people have been inducted into

1032-565: The Thunder. Five days later Lagos led the Thunder to their first victory over a MLS team in a nonexhibtion game. The Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in fourth round U.S. Open Cup game played to 5,505 fans at the Metrodome. The 2004 season holds the highest average attendance with 4,400 over 14 home games. Amos Magee played for the Thunder for 12 seasons, retired in 2005, is its all-time leading scorer (64 goals and 39 assists), and

1075-502: The Twin Cities. The Thunder operated on a budget of $ 35,000 in their first year paying no salaries. The budget mainly supported stadium rental at the National Sports Center, office rental and promotions. In the first season the team played against the amateur Madison 56ers , professional San Francisco Bay Blackhawks and Winnipeg Fury and the indoor professional Chicago Power and Milwaukee Wave . Attendance averaged around 1,000 fans

1118-501: The U.S. Soccer Federation Division-2 Pro League in 2010 and signed with the team in 2011, when it was renamed the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and joined the North American Soccer League . Midfielder-defender Noah Goerlitz, a native of Neenah, Wisconsin who also played at the University of Wisconsin–Madison , played with Canterbury United in the New Zealand Football Championship in the 2006–2007 season. Brad Ring ,

1161-618: The club on February 21, 2011. Scott Lorenz and Alex Horwath , also former University of Wisconsin–Madison standouts, were free agents who signed with MLS teams in 2011, Lorenz with Sporting Kansas City and Horwath with New York Red Bulls . Forward J. C. Banks signed with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division and currently plays for Forward Madison Football Club in the USL League One. Founded in 2014,

1204-466: The competition in Oak Forest, Ill., but failing to advance to the final. In 2010, the team finished 10–7–2 overall and 8–2–0 in the NPSL Midwest, claiming its third regional championship. The 56ers lost to Chattanooga FC 2–0 in the NPSL national semi-finals on July 29, 2010, and lost to FC Sonic Lehigh Valley 3–1 in the third-place match on July 30, 2010. Brazilian Werebetth Rocha, known as Betinho, led

1247-544: The first goal in franchise history being scored by Brian Pederson. The team was initially suspended from the USL PDL after their parent team, the Minnesota Thunder left the USL for the new North American Soccer League . However, the team was re-admitted to the PDL in 2010, and continued to compete. Following the conclusion of the 2010 season the Thunder folded their operations. In a statement released on November 15, 2010 Thunder owner Dan Penz said "Due to unfortunate circumstances,

1290-422: The logo of a capital 'T' and an active soccer ball on a shield reading "Minnesota Thunder". When on the team uniform, it also is adorned atop by a gold star commemorating the 1999 championship season. The initial Thunder crest was a soccer ball with a thunderbolt crossing it followed by the text "Minnesota Thunder". When the team became a professional organization, a new logo was created, consisting of an image of

1333-615: The second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid , until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby Blaine, Minnesota for its final two seasons. The team's colors were navy blue, light blue, silver, and white. The team had a development team, Rochester Thunder , which independently played in USL Premier Development League for another season after the Thunder folded, and

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1376-467: The state of Minnesota background with a soccer ball and thunderbolt imposed upon it. In 2002, the Thunder undertook a marketing re-branding endeavor, where a new logo was created consisting of a soccer ball with movement lines and a T below the words of team's name. In 2006, a new navy and gold "shield" logo was created by the Minneapolis design firm CAPSULE. The official mascot of the Minnesota Thunder

1419-484: The team became a model for teams in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Canada due to their competitive schedule, reasonable budget and fan base. As an amateur team, the Thunder was responsible for an opponent's hotel, food and lodging for each road trip. The team was undefeated through their first twenty games. On November 13, 1993 the Thunder announced its intention to join the U.S. Interregional Soccer League. The team joined

1462-596: The team record for goals in a match. Eight 56ers players have gone on to professional careers. Defender Aaron Hohlbein , like his older brother a former standout at Middleton High School and the University of Wisconsin–Madison , was selected by the Kansas City Wizards with the third pick of the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft . He signed a senior contract with the Wizards on March 1, 2007, and made his MLS debut on April 14, 2007. He spent time on loan with Miami FC Blues of

1505-402: The team was sold to an ownership led by majority owner Saeed Kadkhodaian . These changes led to Buzz Lagos announcing on August 1, 2005 that he would retire as coach after sixteen season. Lagos cited wanting to spend more time with his family as the main reason to retiring. On October 12, 2005, Amos Magee became the second head coach in the history of the Thunder. The Thunder also purchased

1548-574: The team with eight goals. Midfielder Trevor Banks was named to the All-Midwest team for the third time, while midfielder Keenan Newallo, defender Brian Bultman and goalkeeper Jon Szafranski were honored for the second time. Defender Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, in his first season with the team, also was an all-region selection. The 56ers finished 0–1–1 at the USASA Region II Amateur Cup, tying Detroit United 1–1 and losing to Illinois' Inferno SC 3–0; their scheduled finale against St. Louis Kutis SC

1591-542: The team. Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at https://web.archive.org/web/20131208011525/http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html . Minnesota Thunder Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minnesota , United States . Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division (USL-1),

1634-618: The time revenue from the Thunder accounted for less than one percent of the National Sports Center's total revenue. Barclay Kruse, the associate director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission described the situation as, "The best way to describe it is that we're disappointed." In 2004 the Thunder played home matches at James Griffin Stadium , also known as "The Jimmy", in St Paul. The move to this stadium in central Saint Paul

1677-550: Was Thor . The Thunder's first home field was the National Sports Center in Blaine , Minnesota where they played until 2003. In 2003 the Thunder wanted to reduce the number of home games played at the National Sports Center to seven. The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission which owns the National Sports Center was not comfortable with the idea so the Thunder decided to look elsewhere. Their three-year lease expired in 2003 leaving them open to search for other facilities for 2004. At

1720-557: Was canceled due to field conditions with both teams out of contention for advancement. In 2011, the 56ers made their first appearance in the U.S. Open Cup since starting the NPSL team. An earlier men's amateur team from the club qualified for the tournament in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. In 2015, after winning the Midwest conference of the NPSL, the club switched to the second-year Premier League of America . Jed Hohlbein, who starred at nearby Middleton High School and played two seasons at

1763-483: Was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2008. He was named first-team all-league in 1998, and A-League Championship MVP in 1999. He was inducted into the Minnesota Thunder Hall of Fame. The 2005 season brought many changes to the Thunder. The Thunder's A-League and the lower Pro Soccer League were reorganized. The Thunder were placed in the twelve team First Division which previously had sixteen teams. Additionally,

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1806-425: Was made in an attempt to reduce overhead costs and market to a more urban and ethnic crowd. According to then president and general manager Jim Froslid some of the deciding were being on a bus line (mass transit does not go to Blaine) and being accessible to the ethnic community. Fan surveys indicated that they would attend more games if the Thunder played in a more central location. On May 12, 2008, they returned to

1849-467: Was operating with a skeleton staff of 3 people as they tried to reorganize in their final days. In January 2010, the National Sports Center announced the formation of a new club, the NSC Minnesota Stars that functioned as a replacement for the Thunder. A new logo using the colors of navy blue, light blue, and silver was unveiled for the 2008 season. The identity was designed by the Minneapolis design firm Capsule. The previous Thunder badge incorporated

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