Where Are They Now? Status Updates on the 2009 MN Thunder Roster

As the 2010 USSF Division 2 season quickly approaches, rosters are starting to firm up throughout the league. The new team based at the National Sports Center (NSC) has yet to make any player announcements for the coming season. At the recent stakeholder summit, hosted by the NSC, team leadership told those in attendance that the first player announcements will be in approximately three weeks’ time. Many fans are hoping, and expecting, a core group of former Minnesota Thunder players to make up a majority of the 2010 roster for the yet to be named team.

The success of the team, on and off the field, may rest largely on who from the 2009 Minnesota Thunder roster is signed by the new team. Longtime fans will want to see many of these players on the field, and in the community, while the hardcore soccer fan also realizes that the talent pool is relatively thin and many quality players were part of the Thunder last season. Although the new team is close to announcing a working relationship with a Scandinavian professional team and a “top MLS club” in which players will be loaned to the new squad for season-long spells, there is a substantial need for players when the team takes the field in early April. A combine has already been scheduled for March and Manny Lagos, Director of Soccer Operations, and General Manager Kris Bjerkness attended the recent MLS Draft combine in South Florida.

With all of this being said, where are the players that comprised the 2009 Minnesota Thunder roster?

It should be noted that with the demise of the Minnesota Thunder in 2009 all players were released from their contracts effectively making them free agents for the coming season. Not surprisingly, some players have been signed by other teams and all are currently looking for places to play.

Signed By Other Teams:

Ricardo Sanchez: Signed a one year (plus option) contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Sanchez was the first player to depart from Minnesota and will sorely be missed. Sanchez, one of the best free kick takers in the league, led the team with 7 goals and 8 assists and was a member of the 2009 USL First Division Team of the Year.

Quavas Kirk: Signed a one year contract with the Portland Timbers. Kirk played in 15 games for the Thunder in 2009 and was a two-time USL First Division Team of the Week selection. Kirk came to the team as a midfielder with MLS experience and eventually transitioned to play right outside back.

Lawrence Olum: Signed a two year contract with the Austin Aztex. Olum, who was selected by the Dark Cloud supporters group as newcomer of the year, joined recently named, and former Minnesota Thunder, general manager Djorn Buchholz in Austin. Olum appeared in 28 games for the Thunder and had 5 goals and 3 assists.

Offered Tryouts By Other Teams:

Melvin Tarley: When the signing of Ricardo Sanchez was announced by the Vancouver Whitecaps in early November, there was an interesting tidbit of information included in the team press release, “…Whitecaps men’s team head coach Teitur Thordarson has offered trials to former Minnesota midfielder/striker Melvin Tarley and former Miami FC defender Zourab Tsiskaridze this week.” No word on how the trial went for the longtime Thunder player Tarley, but his possible absence could only hurt an already light front line for the new NSC team. Tarley appeared in 27 league games for the Thunder in 2009 and tallied 8 goals and 1 assist.

Currently Playing Indoor:

Marco Terminesi: Currently playing with the Milwaukee Wave in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Terminesi came to the Thunder halfway through the 2009 season and quickly became a fan favorite due to his never ending determination and energy on the field. He appeared in 17 games, but mostly as a substitute. Despite only getting 691 minutes the “M-Train” tallied 6 goals and 4 assists. This led to a point every 69 minutes which easily led the team in points per playing time. Terminesi, the 2008/09 indoor Rookie of the Year, is continuing his scoring form in the MISL where he has been named Player of the Week twice in 2009/10 and is leading the league in points scored with 39. Recently Marco expressed interest in returning to Minnesota if he can reach a deal with the team, but rumor has it that Montreal is currently courting the services of the Canadian-born forward.

Jonathan Greenfield: Currently playing with the Baltimore Blast in the MISL. Greenfield was a solid member of the Thunder’s back line and over the years has proven to be one of the best centerbacks in the USL. Upon arriving to the Thunder a few games into the 2009 season (the Baltimore Blast won the 2009 NISL League Championship) Greenfield played in 26 games and helped steady a porous defense that needed some leadership. Greenfield has expressed a very strong desire to return to Minnesota and finish out his career in the North Star state.

Rod Dyachenko: Currently playing with the Baltimore Blast in the MISL. Dyachenko came to the Thunder as a highly touted off-season signing after playing in 2008 for D.C. United. Dyachenko was a key member to coach Don Gramenz’s midfield and appeared in 27 games and scored 2 goals and 4 assists in the 2009 campaign.

Whereabouts Known:

Nicolas Platter: The two-time team MVP as selected by the Dark Clouds supporters group is currently residing in Minnesota and attended the recent stakeholders summit at the NSC. Platter asked many pointed questions of the team leadership and his attendance is a sign of his desire to play for the new team. He is easily one of the best goalies in the league and in 2009 was called into D.C. United’s training camp. Many hope and expect that Platter will be standing between the posts when the new team takes the field in 2010. Platter has also been among the former Thunder players currently playing regularly at the NSC in order to stay fit for the 2010 season.

Jeremiah Bass: The undisputed leader of the team logged an impressive and team-leading 2,695 minutes in 2009 for the Minnesota Thunder. Bass, who resides and holds down a full-time job in Minneapolis, was also at the recent stakeholders summit at the NSC. His allegiance to the area and team are second to none and he will be expected to be standing on the pitch with the armband come this spring. Bass has also been among the former Thunder players currently playing regularly at the NSC in order to stay fit for the 2010 season.

Kevin Friedland: After a tough 2009 season that was filled with injuries, Friedland quickly proved his worth in the second half of the season, including a memorable goal for the former Kansas City Wizards player. Friedland is a fan favorite and his skill level, when healthy, is among the best in the league at his position. Friedland was also at the recent summit, and he has also been among the former Thunder players currently playing regularly at the NSC in order to stay fit for the 2010 season.

Andres Arango: The central defender is currently among the former Thunder players kicking the ball around at the NSC in the off season. He has also shown his desire to stay put here in the Twin Cities area with the recent announcement of his hiring as the Director of Soccer at the recently opened St. Paul Saints Sport Academy in Lakeville, Minnesota. Arango was an integral part to the Thunder defense as he partnered with Greenfield in 22 games for the 2009 season.

Other players:

Matt Van Oekel: The backup keeper has been rumored to be playing at the NSC. Easily the most fashionable player in the history of the Minnesota Thunder, should be considrered as a front runner for the same role in 2010 for the new team.

Andrei Gotsmanov: The highly touted Gotsmanov only appeared in one game in 2009 for the Thunder before getting injured. He is rehabbing with former Thunder players at the NSC and will definitely have a good shot at making the team in 2010. He was a 2008 Hermann Award finalist at Creighton University and has family ties to the Thunder as his older brother is a former player and his father, Sergey, also suited up for the Thunder in the late 90′s. It should also be noted that Andrei scored against the 2009 Thunder as a member of Nebraska 402 in the US Open Cup.

Chris Clements: Was in MN but returned to Dallas, TX (hometown) around the holidays.
Richard Constanzo: Back in hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Brian Cvilikas: Living in Minnesota and training at the NSC with other players.
Brian Kallman: Living in Minnesota and training at the NSC with other players.
Youssouf Kante: Has returned to France but is now playing in Slovakia in the 1st Division
Nathan Knox: Playing for Otago United in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC). (Knox is a New Zealand native.)
Geoffrey Myers: Living in the Twin Cities. Soccer status unknown.
Dan O’Brien: Living in Minnesota and training at the NSC with other players. Rumor is he may be trying out in New Zealand.
Andrew Peterson: Working for General Electric in Milwaukee, WI and has retired from pro soccer.
Leonel Saint-Preux: The Haitian international is playing for Hoa Phat in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Marcus Watson: Back living in his home town of Los Angeles, CA.
Dale Weiler: Living in South Dakota.

Updated 7:30 am – 1/26/10