Recent Tim Leighton Articles
Change Brings New Energy
by Tim Leighton (Analysis | St. Paul Pioneer Press - April 23)
Change has engulfed the Minnesota Thunder soccer team this season, and it has the grassroots organization swirling with optimism. The Thunder's 17th season is marked by the debut of a new coach and a change in their business philosophy aimed at boosting attendance, which hovered around 3,800 a game last season. If everything takes, Thunder officials hope they not only can break even for the first time in franchise history, but also turn a profit. more details | go to article

Reorganization Places Thunder In New League
by Tim Leighton (Preview | St. Paul Pioneer Press - April 29)
Little bothers Minnesota Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren, be it an opponent on a breakaway or a short-range missile fired at him after a defensive breakdown. He can handle those things, which is why he is one of the top professional goalkeepers in the United States. more details | go to article

Thunder Changing Ownership
by Tim Leighton (Article | St. Paul Pioneer Press - April 8)
Minnesota Thunder majority owner Bill George, whose financial backing was pivotal in molding the grassroots soccer team into a successful professional franchise, will announce he is selling his stake to Saeed Kadkhodaian at a 4 p.m. news conference today. more details | go to article

He's Creating Some Buzz
by Tim Leighton (Profile/Interview | St. Paul Pioneer Press - August 4)
A passion for soccer burns deep inside Minnesota Thunder coach Buzz Lagos. It burns like a pilot light, never flickering as he tries to promote a sport trying to find a professional identity in this country. When he promotes soccer in Minnesota, the flame burns with the optimism that the world's most popular sport will one day be accepted at home. more details | go to article

Hamm Eggs On Mates
by Tim Leighton (Result | St. Paul Pioneer Press - July 22)
Juggling her lineup Wednesday night proved at least one thing to U.S. women's soccer team coach April Heinrichs: She can't sit Mia Hamm during the first half of Olympic Games competition next month in Greece. more details | go to article

Thunder Come Out Swinging For First Win Over MLS Team
by Tim Leighton (Result | St. Paul Pioneer Press - July 21)
The stars had to be aligned on Tuesday night for the Minnesota Thunder, somewhere on the other side of the Metrodome's Teflon sky. They executed a perfect game plan and took advantage of unexpected opportunities to record what might be the biggest victory in the franchise's 15 years: a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup tournament in front of 5,505. more details | go to article

Thunder Will Try To Upset Galaxy
by Tim Leighton (Preview | St. Paul Pioneer Press - July 20)
If Minnesota Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren hears one more reference to David and Goliath, he just might scream. Descriptions such as "Herculean task" and "monumental challenge" also are mentioned as the Thunder prepare for their match against the Los Angeles Galaxy of top-level Major League Soccer at 7 tonight in the Metrodome. more details | go to article

St. Paul Soccer Prodigy Looks To Return Stateside
by Tim Leighton (Profile/Interview | St. Paul Pioneer Press - July 7)
St. Paul native and international soccer standout Tony Sanneh wants to resume his playing career closer to home, and with his boyhood pal Manuel Lagos. Sanneh, 33, said Tuesday he and his agent have been in contact with a Major League Soccer — presumably Columbus, where Lagos plays — and will pursue signing a contract when the required player-transfer window opens next month. more details | go to article

Kicking It
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Mixed Results For The WUSA's Weekend Return
by Tim Leighton (Analysis | Sports Business News - June 21)
A two-day, two-game festival designed to help with the re-launching of the Women's United Soccer Association ended Saturday night at the National Sports Center in Blaine. more details | go to article

Popular Tim Leighton Articles

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