English soccer pros to play Minnesota Thunder

Burnley in action
Kyle Lafferty of Burnley, in red, in action during the Coca Cola Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Burnley at Loftus Road on February 12, 2008 in London, England.
Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images

The Burnley Football Club will become the first English professional soccer team to play in Minnesota later this summer.

Minnesota Thunder officials announced Tuesday their team will host Burnley July 15th at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Burnley plays in the Championship League in England, one level below the English Premier League. Thunder President Manny Lagos said he expects the Thunder to do well against the English team.

"I always tell people that the level here is much much better than people here or even in other parts of the world realize so I believe we will do very well," Burnley said.

The Thunder recently began major improvements at the National sports Center to make the stadium a 9,000 seat soccer specific facility. The renovations include moving the field closer to the grandstand and enclosing seating on the three other sides.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.