FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas announced today that defender Michael Dello-Russo will join the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division on loan. The first year player out of Maryland will spend at least the next two weeks with the Thunder and is scheduled to appear in three games with the club. Current FC Dallas Assistant Coach Marco Ferruzzi is a former player for the Thunder who currently hold a 1-4-2 record and sit in 11th place in the USL First Division.
Drafted in the 4th round (42nd overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Dello-Russo has appeared in all six of FC Dallas' Reserve Division games so far this season, making four starts and playing a total of 446 minutes. Versatile enough to play as a central defender, an outside back and a defensive midfielder, the 22-year old White Plains, N.Y. native has seen action at all three positions since the start of the preseason.
Dello-Russo will train on Friday and Saturday with the Thunder and will be available to Minnesota Head Coach Amos Magee for his team's home match on Sunday against former Brazilian International, Romario, and Miami FC. In addition to this game, Dello-Russo will also be available to the Thunder for their home games against Portland on Thursday, June 15 and Virginia Beach on Saturday, June 17 before returning he is scheduled to Dallas.
As a result of his loan to the Thunder, Dello-Russo will not be eligible to play for any other teams in the USL First Divison but will be eligible to return to the Thunder at any point during the 2006 campaign.
