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Thunder Adds U-20 U.S. National Team Player Rodrigo Hidalgo

April 6, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, April 6, 2007) - The Minnesota Thunder's announced today the signing of U-20 U.S. National Team forward, Rodrigo Hidalgo.

Hidalgo, 19, recently completed his junior year at the University of South Florida where he was on the watch list for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy award. The Hermann Trophy honors the top male and female soccer players in Division I soccer. The 5-11, 170 pound forward finished the 2006 season ranked second on the team in points with six goals and two assists and was named to the All-Big East team for the second consecutive season.

In 2005, Hidalgo was named to the NSCAA All-South Region team and was ranked second in the nation in assists per game (0.75). In 2004, he was the conference's Co-Freshman of the Year.

'We were elated when Rodrigo fell into our lap two weeks ago," said Thunder head coach Amos Magee. "We worked hard with his agent to get him here and couldn't be more excited to add him to a growing number of exciting young attacking players. He'll add an exciting dimension to our attack as either a midfielder or forward.'

In Hidalgo's young career he has played with the U17, U18 and U20 United States National Teams and was in the United States Youth National Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida from 2002-2004. Hidalgo was most recently in camp with the U20 team this past fall.

'We hope that after a good start to the Thunder season, Rodrigo will rejoin his teammates as a late addition to the U.S. U20 World Cup Squad," said Magee. If not, our team and fans will have an entire summer to watch this rising star of U.S. Soccer.'

The native of Medellin, Colombia came to the United States at the age of nine and got his first taste of international soccer in 2000 when we was brought into the U16 National Team Camp. He went on to score a goal in a U17 match against England in Nottingham where the US walked away with a 2-1 victory.

The Thunder opens its home season on Sunday, May 6 at 5:05 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium against the defending USL champion Vancouver Whitecaps. The game will be complimentary and NO admission will be charged. For more information, call 651.917.TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com

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