Former Thunder Midfielder Paul Moran Joins Rochester Thunder PDL Team

2009 April 18

by Brian Quarstad

Rochester, MN – April 17, 2009
A player who was on the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder’s roster last year has agreed to join the Rochester Thunder for its inaugural 2009 season. Defender/Midfielder Paul Moran will be bringing his professional soccer expertise to the team this summer.

Moran, who saw action in six games for the Minnesota Thunder last season, grew up in Redlands, California. He played his youth club soccer for the Palo Alto Pumas and as U19s the team won the Dallas Cup and State Cup. Moran played his high school soccer at Bellamine College Preparatory, where his team set a California State record by going undefeated for 72 straight games. Moran was named all-league and all-section twice, as well as Bay Area player of the year in High School Sports Magazine, Senior of the Year in the San Jose Mercury News and Defensive MVP Bay Area.

Moran played collegiately for Fresno State for his first two years, where he started 50 out of 50 games. When Fresno State dropped its men’s soccer program, he transferred to Fresno Pacific, where he was named the league’s Defensive MVP his senior season.

Moran started his post-collegiate career in California, playing for the PDL’s Fresno Fuego for three seasons. He was signed by the Montreal Impact of USL-1 following the USL Showcase in 2007. He joined the Minnesota Thunder following their combine in 2008 and played in six games for them last season before a fractured bone in his foot ended his season.

“I’m very excited to join the Rochester Thunder and I’m really looking forward to helping the team out both on and off the field,” Moran said. “I cannot wait for the season to begin so we can show what kind of talent we have here in Minnesota.”

“We had a great opportunity to add Paul to the team,” said Thunder Head Coach Neil Cassidy. “He’ll provide a strong defensive presence while also bringing the quickness to get into the attack. Plus, his professional experience should help provide the team with good leadership.”