A: What can we expect out of the Thunder this year?
JF: On paper this will be the most explosive and dynamic team the Thunder has had since winning the championship in 1999 -- both offensively and defensively. We have a nice balance of youth and experience. We also have a number of players who are quite versatile, which should make us difficult to defend. In the end, it should be a fun team to watch because they clearly have a good time playing with each other. This usually translates into entertaining soccer -- which help us achieve our ultimate goal of giving fans something they can enjoy, take pride in and let others know about.
A: What are the club's short-term and long-term goals at this point?
JF: Short-term, we want to get off to a strong start this season -- both in the standings and in the stands. Our schedule is fairly balanced, especially in the beginning. Our home opener in the Metrodome is likely going to give us a kick we rarely see in early May. The fans are really rallying around the idea of a game in the dome. When you think about what kind of weather we can have in early May, it only makes sense to take advantage of the roof.
Long-term, our goal is two-fold ... Win the A-League championship this season and become profitable. We should have a legit shot at both this year.
A: What kind of programs will the club be using this year to get more fans involved with the Thunder?
JF: The home opener in the Metrodome is designed to impact our entire season. We are putting a lot of eggs in this basket because we feel it is important to start out on a strong note. If we can get 5 to 10,000 fans in the dome in early May, then it should have a favorable impact on our attendance the rest of the year. In years past, we have had average weather for our home opener and we were forced to play catch up all season long. The other program is good old-fashioned customer service. TJ Varecka (director of sales and marketing) and John Menk (director of youth development) are two of the most fan conscious people I have ever met. Every decision they make is with the fans best interest in mind. I really think this will translate into increased attendance. When you add our new radio deal with WMNN, and the support we receive from our corporate sponsors, I will be surprised if we do not have a 15% increase in attendance this season.
A: How much involvement does the team have with the youth clubs in the area?
JF: An enormous part of our business plan involves the youth clubs in the area. We meet with every club in the metro area in the months of October, November, December and January in order to introduce them to our new programs for the upcoming season. We encourage the clubs to do two things -- stress the importance of watching the game at the highest level possible and expose players to the many different Thunder camp options. Our players are one of greatest community assets in the state, hands down. Not only are they tremendous soccer players, but they are educated, lead healthy lifestyles and genuinely care about today's youth. They are great role models for children.
A: How much involvement does that translate into when it comes time for USA Cup?
JF: We generate more than 35% of our ticket revenue in those 10 days in July. This part of our schedule can make or break our year financially. The fact that we are hosting the US U17 National Team, and their 13-year-old superstar Freddy Adu, could be a real feather in our cap.
A: Now that the USL and MLS do not have a league-wide agreement in place what kind of relationship does the Thunder have with MLS?
JF: I don't think things will change too much. We will continue to work with a couple of teams, most likely Chicago because of its proximity, and perhaps one more team. You will not see as many players go back and forth like you did before when an agreement was in place.
A: Do you think the team is almost back to where it was prior to the slump of the last couple of years?
JF: Most people wouldn't call last year a slump. We finished second in the league in goals scored, and barely lost in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual champions. To most teams, this would be a success, but not in Minnesota. In the past nine years, the Thunder has advanced to the final five times. The bar is set very high here, so to answer your question... Until we get to the final, no.
A: What happened in 2001 that lead to such a down year for the club?
JF: We had two major obstacles early in the year that we did not recover from. One, our leading scorer (and the league's leading scorer from the previous year), Johnny Menyongar, was in Liberia for nearly two months trying to help his country gain its first World Cup berth. Second, we got off to a poor start. It was not until July 1 that we managed to get the wheels back on our cart. We made a valiant run in the final two months of the season, but it was not enough. I think it is also safe to say that we went through a transition. The Thunder's past success has been built around a nucleus of homegrown players. In 2001, we started to see many of these players either retire or switch their priorities.
A: How much longer do you think Buzz will stay on as coach with the club?
JF: I don't know. What I do know is that he has been the glue of this organization since its inception. Without Buzz, we would not have a Minnesota Thunder.
A: Do you think he'll move on to an upper management position with the team when he finally hangs up the clipboard?
JF: I can't imagine the Thunder without Buzz involved in some way.
A: Does he pretty much have carte blanche to do whatever he wants at the club?
JF: I would not state it like this, but when he talks I always listen. I would be foolish not to.
A: What kind of relationship have you had with the new Wave United franchise in Milwaukee?
JF: Very similar to the Rampage ... Partners off the field and fierce rivals on the field. There will not be a game that I want to win more than the ones against Milwaukee. Off the field, we are regularly sharing ideas to help each other out.
A: What kind of effect do you think the Rampage folding might have on the Milwaukee-Minnesota rivalry of past years?
JF: Personally, I think it might intensify. Things we getting pretty chummy the last two years.
A: What do you think of the Wave United club? Do you expect that they'll be as strong as their predecessors in Milwaukee?
JF: It is a great organization led by very talented people. I had a lot of respect for the Rampage organization as well. It will be difficult to match the 2002 Rampage. Won't it?
A: How has Buzz and the rest of the club felt coming into a year when they'll be the clear cut favorites in the division?
JF: I don't think Buzz gets too worked up about who is the favorite. All that matters is who is playing on Sept. 20.
A: Who are some of the players you're most excited about coming into this season?
JF: All of them. The most interesting story lines might be Joe Warren, Donny Gramenz, Amos Magee, Zafer Kilickan, Kevin Anderson, Johnny Torres, Johnny Menyongar and Marshall Morehead. We still have a few more surprises as well!
A: Is Morgan Zeba returning to the Thunder?
JF: Morgan decided to stay in Sweden this year in order to be closer to his family.
A: Is there any major concern around the Thunder offices about the situation in Cincinnati?
JF: No, we have major confidence in our league, and the people who run it. My biggest concern about Cincinnati is getting past them in the first round of the Open Cup.
A: What are some things you are hoping to see out of the fans this year?
JF: Outside the stadium, I want to encourage our fans to help us spread the great word of the Thunder. Inside the stadium, I want to encourage our fans to help us win games. Yell loud, pick a favorite player and come back for more games.
A: What would you like to tell the fans?
JF: That we appreciate them immensely, and I can't wait to see them all on May 4!
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