Our History
Local club. National reputation.
Founded in 2008 by joining two elite Minnesota youth clubs under the Minnesota Thunder professional club, MTA was built as a model for player development, inspired by the great academies of Europe and South America.
- Founded 2008
- Roots to 1988
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
How MTA got here.
1988Bangu F.C. is founded
An alternative for players who wanted advanced, year-round training. It grows from one U19 men’s team to a full boys and girls program, later becoming Bangu Tsunami Football Club.
2008Minnesota Thunder Academy is born
The Minnesota Thunder professional club brings Bangu Tsunami F.C. and Wings S.C. together under the Thunder banner, forming one of the largest clubs in the Midwest with 90+ competitive teams.
2009A founding Girls ECNL club
MTA girls join the brand-new Girls ECNL as one of its inaugural member clubs. Girls Director Danny Storlien is one of the directors who built the league.
2010U.S. Soccer Development Academy
After an extensive review, MTA boys are selected to join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, competing there through the 2018–19 season.
2019Boys ECNL
MTA boys join the Boys ECNL, making MTA one of the few clubs in the state with a national platform for both boys and girls.
- 2021
WPSL champions in year one
MTA’s women’s team plays its first WPSL season and wins the Northern Conference. More titles follow in 2023 and 2025.
2023A new home at Winter Park
MTA refreshes its brand and moves into the MTA Winter Park Training Complex, the former training home of the Minnesota Vikings.
2026A new season of growth
Teams move to school-year age groups, N1 replaces Minnesota NPL, and Thunder Girls Regional launches for girls U13–U14.
Three clubs, one Thunder.
Bangu F.C.
Named for a professional club in Rio de Janeiro’s Bangu neighborhood. Many MTA coaches, directors and board members date back to the Bangu days, and plenty of MTA parents wore the Bangu badge.
Wings S.C.
Built opportunities for every player without making kids leave their neighborhood teams too early, pairing top youth and professional coaches.
Minnesota Thunder
In 2008 the pro club took a bold step to reshape Minnesota soccer. MTA carries on the Thunder’s legacy today.
Raising the standard of Minnesota soccer.
Nonprofit
MTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Academy Model
Built on the structure of successful European and South American academies.
Every Stage
Development programs from age 2 through college, plus advanced training for players from every club.
Our Goal
Promote the game and raise the standard of youth soccer in Minnesota.
You don’t know our names now. But you will.
Find your player’s program and get the 2027–28 tryout dates first.