May 1, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Former Green Bay men's soccer standout Dan O'Brien (Shoreview, Minn.) has signed a professional contract to play for the Minnesota Thunder of the United Soccer League's First Division (USL-1).

"I am excited for Dan to see his hard work has been rewarded by signing a professional contract with the Minnesota Thunder," said Green Bay head coach Tom Poitras. "Dan will have a chance to continue to develop his game with a first class organization and under a quality coach in Amos Magee. It is an honor for our program to produce professional level players and I am confident we will have more in the next few years."

O'Brien is coming off a strong two-year stint with Green Bay, where he earned all-region honors both seasons. As a senior in 2007, O'Brien led the team with six assists, including helpers on five game-winning goals.

The standout center midfielder aided Green Bay in posting a combined record of 25-11-6 in those two years, as the Phoenix posted back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in 20 years.

The 11-team USL-1 is the second-highest level of professional soccer in the United States behind only Major League Soccer.

The Thunder are 1-1-0 after the first week of the 2008 season and continue regular season play May 4 against Rochester at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. For more information, visit the Minnesota Thunder online at www.mnthunder.com