104-732: Minnesota United Football Club , often shortened to MNUFC , is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference . The club began play in 2017 as the league's 22nd club, and replaced the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise of the same name . The club played its home games at TCF Bank Stadium , on
208-544: A classical station and a contemporary station, The Current , which plays music from regional and other contemporary artists. The MPR program A Prairie Home Companion , hosted by Minnesota native Garrison Keillor , aired live for many years from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul . The show ended its run in 2016, with its successor Live from Here also airing from the same venue. This radio program
312-657: A soccer-specific stadium . However, Commissioner Garber said that whenever possible, the league preferred a stadium that would be an "outdoor, soccer-specific stadium, 20,000 seats, playing on grass" as opposed to larger, covered venues with artificial turf like U.S. Bank Stadium, and McGuire had the support of Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat and at least three members of the Minneapolis City Council . The team played their inaugural Major League Soccer match on March 3, 2017,
416-588: A 0–0 draw against the Carolina RailHawks at the Metrodome in front of a crowd of 8,693. On March 25, 2015, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced Minnesota United as the league's 23rd club and awarded the franchise to a group led by McGuire. The ownership group includes other Minneapolis-St. Paul sports owners: Jim Pohlad, owner of the MLB's Minnesota Twins ; Glen Taylor, former owner of
520-496: A 4–2 home victory over Real Salt Lake on April 1. As the season progressed, so had the team. In the mid-season, Minnesota had acquired Duluth native Ethan Finlay from Columbus Crew SC and made other signings to improve on the field. United finished its inaugural MLS season in ninth place in the Western Conference . MNUFC lost two key players - midfielders Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay - to season-ending knee injuries early in
624-553: A 5–1 away defeat to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park . The result represented the heaviest defeat by an expansion side making their debut. Previously no MLS expansion team had lost by more than two goals in their first game. Christian Ramirez scored the team's first MLS goal. The following weekend they played their home opener against fellow expansion team Atlanta United FC in a snowstorm with an MLS record-low kickoff temperature of 19 °F (−7 °C). They lost
728-540: A bill in May 2012 for a new NFL stadium projected to open by fall 2016 and gave a provision allowing for the Vikings to pursue an MLS franchise, including a five-year exclusive window to host MLS games in the new stadium. The Wilfs' bid also had the support of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges , and Minnesota Senator Tom Bakk called Major League Soccer to inform them that the state legislature would not be providing financing for
832-452: A focus of international attention after MPD officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for almost ten minutes. The murder sparked local , nationwide and international protests against racism and police brutality, bringing considerable attention to the MPD. Minneapolis–Saint Paul was the site of the second-costliest act of civil disobedience in U.S. history, after
936-525: A record of fourteen wins and ten losses, tied for best record in the league. However, NASL rules awarded six points for a win, four for a shootout win, and one point for each goal scored during regulation up to three per game. This resulted in four other teams earning more than the 115 points the Strikers had for the season. This put the Strikers in third place of the Western Division and missing
1040-807: A record of twenty-six wins and twenty-two losses and second place in the Eastern Division. Minnesota defeated the Dallas Sidekicks in the first round of the playoffs three games to one and the Cleveland Force in the Division Finals, also three game to one, to earn a spot in the Championship Series. After trailing the best of seven series against the Sockers three games to one, the Strikers were able to tie
1144-610: A single summer. The lowest temperature ever reported at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport was −34 °F (−37 °C) on January 22, 1936; the highest, 108 °F (42 °C), was reported on July 14 of the same year. Early settlement records at Fort Snelling show temperatures as low as −42 °F (−41 °C). Recent records include −40 °F (−40 °C) at Vadnais Lake on February 2, 1996 (National Climatic Data Center). Precipitation averages 29.41 inches (74.7 cm) per year, and
SECTION 10
#17327985964471248-731: Is a major industry in the region and the southeasterly city of Rochester , as the University of Minnesota has joined other colleges and hospitals in doing significant research, and major medical device manufacturers started in the region (the most prominent is Medtronic ). Technical innovators have brought important advances in computing, including the Cray line of supercomputers . Many Twin Cities residents own or share cabins and other properties along lakes and forested areas in central and northern Minnesota, and weekend trips "up North" happen in
1352-538: Is available via MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app . Prior to streaming, Minnesota United aired on a number of stations and networks catering to the Twin Cities television market. All non-nationally broadcast Minnesota United games were broadcast locally on WFTC for the 2017 Major League Soccer season , then moved to Bally Sports North and Bally Sports Wisconsin in the 2018 season (which were then named at
1456-570: Is featured. There are numerous lakes in the region, and some cities in the area have extensive park systems for recreation. Organized recreation includes the Great River Energy bicycle festival , the Twin Cities Marathon , and the U.S. pond hockey championships. Some studies have shown that area residents take advantage of this, and are among the most physically fit in the country, but others have disputed that. Medicine
1560-506: Is most plentiful in June (4.34 inches (11.0 cm)) and least so in February (0.79 inches (2.0 cm)). The greatest one-day rainfall amount was 9.15 inches (23.2 cm), reported on July 23, 1987. The cities' record for lowest annual precipitation was set in 1910, when 11.54 inches (29.3 cm) fell throughout the year; coincidentally, the opposite record of 40.15 inches (102.0 cm)
1664-602: Is named after James J. Hill , a railroad tycoon who settled on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul in what is now known as the James J. Hill House . Like many Northern cities that grew up with the Industrial Revolution , Minneapolis and St. Paul experienced shifts in their economic base as heavy industry declined, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. With the economic decline of those decades came population decline in
1768-492: Is sometimes used to refer to the seven-county region governed by the Metropolitan Council regional governmental agency and planning organization. The United States Office of Management and Budget officially designates 15 counties as the "Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington MN– WI Metropolitan Statistical Area". It is the 16th-largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. and third-largest metropolitan area in
1872-904: The 1984 season and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1984 through 1988. The team was based in Minneapolis / St. Paul metropolitan area and played their outdoor home games at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and the Met Center for indoor games. Founded in 1967 as the Washington Darts and playing in Miami as the Gatos and the Toros before playing seven season as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
1976-434: The 1992 Los Angeles Riots . Local protests and riots caused an estimated $ 550 million in damages and affected around 1,600 businesses. Minneapolis and Saint Paul have competed since they were founded, resulting in some duplication of effort. After Saint Paul completed its elaborate cathedral in 1915, Minneapolis followed up with the equally ornate Basilica of St. Mary in 1926. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
2080-553: The Carolina RailHawks . On January 9, 2012, the club announced a new logo as well as a new name. The NSC portion of the name, which had led to confusion, was dropped, with the new name being the Minnesota Stars FC. The new logo was revealed with the word 'NSC' removed and the state motto, L’Étoile du Nord , added. The team continued a search for a new owner in the offseason and opened the 2012 season with
2184-680: The Colorado Rapids . MNUFC finished the regular season in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference. They hosted their second playoff match in franchise history, defeating the Colorado Rapids 3–0 at Allianz Field, then went on to defeat No. 1 seeded Sporting Kansas City 3–0 on the road. The Loons then traveled to Seattle for the Western Conference final match against the Sounders . Despite leading 2-0 at
SECTION 20
#17327985964472288-592: The Columbus Crew 1–1 on penalty kicks and the San Jose Earthquakes 4–1, before losing to Orlando City SC in the tournament semifinal. Following the tournament, the 2020 season resumed normal match play, with a planned schedule of 18 matches ending on November 8. The Loons continued to add players, with midfielder Emanuel Reynoso joining the club from Boca Juniors as a Designated Player, and veteran forward Kei Kamara joining via trade from
2392-640: The Metro Transit bus barn near Interstate 94 . On August 31, 2015, the team's deal for an exclusive right to purchase industrial land near the Farmer's Market expired with no public statement about any extension of the deal. On September 8, 2015, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners passed a non-binding resolution to support the stadium's construction on the St. Paul bus barn site, provided
2496-695: The Metropolitan Council . Counties that are italicized were added to the metropolitan area when the Office of Management and Budget revised its delineations of metropolitan statistical areas in 2013. Sibley County was included in the metropolitan statistical area from 2013 to September 2018. The Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN–WI Combined Statistical Area is made up of 19 counties in Minnesota and two counties in Wisconsin. The statistical area includes two metropolitan areas and four micropolitan areas . As of
2600-465: The Midwest , with a population of 3,690,261 at the 2020 census . The larger 21-county Minneapolis–St. Paul MN–WI Combined Statistical Area , the nation's 16th-largest combined statistical area, had a population of 4,078,788 at the 2020 census. The first European settlement in the region was near what is now the town of Stillwater, Minnesota , about 20 miles (30 km) from downtown Saint Paul and on
2704-591: The Minnesota Senate voted 61–4 to prevent any state funds or tax expenditures from being used for the stadium, although the vote was termed "largely symbolic" as McGuire had not asked for state funds and the bill would not prevent the team from seeking city or county funds. McGuire later said that he would be open to signing the property over to Minneapolis , Hennepin County , or another public entity if that would make property tax exemption possible. Although
2808-647: The NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves ; and the late Glen Nelson, former investor of the NHL's Minnesota Wild , along with his daughter Wendy Carlson Nelson, who is a board member of the Carlson Hospitality Company. They beat out a competing bid by Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf (both of whom would later become minority owners of MLS expansion franchise Nashville SC ). Garber said Minnesota would begin play in 2017 or 2018 – if Los Angeles FC
2912-572: The NHL Winter Classic was played at Target Field in 2022. The Final Four Men's National College Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball tournament has been hosted by Minneapolis four times—1951, 1992, 2001 and 2019—and the Women's twice, in 1995 and 2022. The Frozen Four Men's NCAA hockey tournament has been hosted by the Twin Cities nine times—1958, 1966, 1989, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2011, 2018 and 2024. Major golf tournaments hosted in
3016-548: The Oasis song " Wonderwall " after all home victories. 44°57′10″N 93°09′54″W / 44.9528°N 93.1651°W / 44.9528; -93.1651 McGuire stated a desire to build an 18,500-seat, outdoor soccer-specific stadium next to the Minneapolis Farmers Market in downtown Minneapolis. At the time of the club's launch, the league did not give any timeline for the stadium plan, but said it
3120-680: The Rock Island Railroad , brought more than a thousand curious travelers into the area by rail and steamboat in 1854. In 1855, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published The Song of Hiawatha , an epic poem based on the Ojibwe legends of Hiawatha . A number of natural area landmarks appear in the story, including Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Falls . Tourists inspired by the coverage of the Grand Excursion in eastern newspapers and those who read The Song of Hiawatha flocked to
3224-606: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra are full-time professional musical ensembles . The Guthrie Theater is a world-class regional theater overlooking the Mississippi River. The Minnesota Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of theatre , dance , improvisation , puppetry , kids' shows, visual art , and musicals. The Twin Cities is also the home of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) , the nation's second-largest public radio station. It has both
Minnesota United FC - Misplaced Pages Continue
3328-641: The St. Paul Saints , both baseball teams of the American Association . In the 1950s, both cities competed for a major league baseball franchise (which resulted in two rival stadiums being built), and there was a brief period in the mid-1960s when the two cities could not agree on a common calendar for daylight saving time , resulting in a few weeks when people in Minneapolis were one hour "behind" those in Saint Paul. The cities' mutual antagonism
3432-686: The Twins ; Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor ; former Wild investor Glen Nelson, and his daughter Wendy Carlson Nelson of the Carlson hospitality company. In January 2010, the National Sports Center announced they would field a new team to replace the Minnesota Thunder . The Thunder at the time were not officially folded but were facing financial ruin. Following a team-naming contest, the National Sports Center (NSC) announced
3536-493: The U.S. state of Minnesota . It is commonly known as the Twin Cities after the area's two largest cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul . Minnesotans often refer to the two together (or the seven-county metro area collectively) simply as "The Cities". The area is Minnesota's economic, cultural, and political center. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are independent municipalities with defined borders. Minneapolis sits mostly on
3640-512: The Western Conference , after placing as high as second late in the regular season. As a result, the club was awarded a spot in the 2020 Leagues Cup . MNUFC played in its first MLS playoff match, hosting the LA Galaxy on October 20; the result was a 2–1 defeat. Two players received league-wide honors at the conclusion of the season. Ike Opara was named 2019 MLS Defender of the Year , winning
3744-469: The central city areas , white flight to suburbs, and, in the summer of 1967, race riots on Minneapolis's North Side. But by the 1980s and 1990s, Minneapolis and Saint Paul were often cited as former Rust Belt cities that had made successful transitions to service, high-technology, finance, and information economies. In May and June 2020, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area became
3848-545: The 1970 season, the team was sold to John Bilotta , former part owner of the Rochester Lancers , and Arthur Bant a hotel owner, who relocated and rebranded as the team as the Miami Gatos . After one season, the team was sold to a group of 25 local business leaders including Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie and his wife Elizabeth and renamed the Toros . In December 1976 and after five seasons in Miami,
3952-658: The 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 3,682,928 (though a July 1, 2012 estimate placed it at 3,691,918). In 2013, the Owatonna Micropolitan Statistical Area was added. Note: Owatonna MSA was not part of CSA in 2010. There are approximately 218 incorporated municipalities in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. This includes census-designated places and villages in Wisconsin , but excludes unincorporated towns in Wisconsin, known as civil townships in other states. Population numbers are from
4056-596: The 2018 season. Shortly before Finlay's injury, the team signed its first Designated Player ; Darwin Quintero joined Minnesota United from Liga MX's Club América . Despite joining the team after five matches had already been played, Quintero led the team for 2018 in both goals (11) and assists (15). On July 4, 2018, Quintero scored a hat trick in a home match versus Toronto FC, the first in Minnesota United's history. Colombian forward Ángelo Rodríguez joined
4160-902: The 2020 census. Principal cities Places with 50,000 to 99,999 inhabitants Places with 25,000 to 49,999 inhabitants Places with 10,000 to 24,999 inhabitants Places with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants The Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area fine art museums include the Minneapolis Institute of Art , the Walker Art Center , the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum , Minnesota Museum of American Art and The Museum of Russian Art . Other museums include American Swedish Institute , Science Museum of Minnesota , Minnesota Children's Museum , Bell Museum (natural history and planetarium) and The Bakken Museum (science and technology). The Minnesota Orchestra and
4264-551: The 75th minute, Seattle scored three straight late goals, including the winner in stoppage time to end Minnesota's historic run. Although they had been minutes from advancing to the MLS Cup final in 2020, the 2021 season got off to a disappointing start, with four straight losses. In mid May, the Loons began to quickly climb from the bottom of the table, losing only two of their next seventeen games. Key players returned from injury and
Minnesota United FC - Misplaced Pages Continue
4368-533: The Blast three games to one in the series. Facing the Cleveland Force in the Division Finals, the Strikers lost the series four games to one. On June 22, 1988, Executive Vice President Tim Robbie announced that his family had been looking to sell the team for two years but had not been able to find a buyer and therefore, owners Joe and Elizabeth Robbie had decided to terminate the franchise rather than post
4472-427: The Iron Range of Minnesota. The upward pointing crest and the North Star were inspired by L'Etoile du Nord which is the state motto. Zeus Jones created the designs. Minnesota United's mascot is PK, a loon . PK has been the club mascot since mid-2014. The two main supporter groups of Minnesota United FC are Dark Clouds and True North Elite, although the overarching organization "MNWonderwall" includes affiliated groups
4576-436: The July 1 deadline passed without a stadium deal, and the plan for a Downtown Minneapolis stadium was the primary reason for choosing McGuire's group, league deputy commissioner Mark Abbott said Minnesota was still considered an expansion site, partly because of interest from the neighboring St. Paul . Later that month, St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman spoke to Abbott proposed building on a city-owned vacant lot that formerly housed
4680-457: The Kansas City Wizards and during their rebrand as Sporting Kansas City. He has also worked in his native UK for notable broadcasters including the BBC and Sky Sports . Williams was joined in the commentary box by Kyndra de St. Aubin who provides color commentary. De St. Aubin, a Stillwater native, was the only female color commentator currently covering Major League Soccer . Prior to joining Minnesota United's broadcast team, she worked across
4784-412: The Loons in July in 2022, with a 4-0 win in a friendly vs Premier League side Everton. The Loons had a solid first half of the season going 8-6-3 in the first 17 games. In the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Minnesota fell to USL League One side Union Omaha 2-1 in a notable upset. Midfield DP Emanuel Reynoso joined St. Clair in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game which was hosted at Allianz Field. The second half of
4888-426: The Mississippi. Saint Paul was long at the head of navigation on the river, until a lock and dam facility was added upriver in Minneapolis. Passenger travel hit its peak in 1888, with nearly eight million traversing to and from Saint Paul Union Depot . This amounted to approximately 150 trains daily. Soon, other rail crossings were built farther south and travel through the region began to decline. In an effort by
4992-429: The Rapper , Bon Iver , The Flaming Lips , Wilco and Sonic Youth . The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis hosts the annual Basilica Block Party , another music festival, which has featured nationally recognized artists such as Weezer , Andy Grammer , Death Cab for Cutie and Panic! at the Disco . The festival is used as a fundraiser for the restoration of the basilica. The event draws about 25,000 people to
5096-439: The Red Loons and Dark Glitterati as well. Along with these supporters, the Loons academy has played a big part to help grow youth in the community and to provide a path to the first team for the academy players. In early 2019, Wonderwall founded "THUNDERWALL", a coalition drumline permanently affixed in Allianz Field that provides percussion to support chants in the Wonderwall section during match days. Fans of Minnesota United sing
5200-432: The Strikers protested that Sockers player Jacques LaDouceur who scored a goal during the shootout was ineligible. The next day, MISL Commissioner Francis Dale ruled in the Strikers favor and awarded the game to Minnesota, resulting in a two games all series tie. In the fifth game of the series, San Diego defeated the Strikers seven goals to none. The Strikers finished the 1985–86 Major Indoor Soccer League season with
5304-429: The Strikers qualified for the playoffs as a wildcard . After defeating the Wichita Wings two games to one in the Wildcard Series, the Strikers beat the Las Vegas Americans in the Quarterfinals three games to one. The May 12, 1984, game four of the Semifinals against the San Diego Sockers ended in a tie and was won by the Sockers in a shootout, resulting in a three game to one series victory for San Diego. However,
SECTION 50
#17327985964475408-454: The Strikers three games to two. The team's final season was the 1987–88 Major Indoor Soccer League season . The Strikers finished in first place of the Eastern Division with a record of thirty-one wins and twenty-five losses. A fight broke out with less than two minutes remaining in the second game of the Division Semifinals against the Baltimore Blast which resulted in players from both teams being ejected. The Strikers went on to defeat
5512-438: The Twin Cities include: U.S. Open —1916, 1930, 1970, 1991; U.S. Women's Open —1966, 1977, 2008; PGA Championship —1932, 1954, 2002, 2009; Women's PGA Championship , 2019; Walker Cup , 1957; Solheim Cup , 2002; and the Ryder Cup , 2016. The Ryder Cup is scheduled to return in 2028. Minnesota Strikers The Minnesota Strikers were an American soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) for
5616-419: The Twin Cities three times—1965, 1987 and 1991—as have three Major League Baseball All-Star Games —1965, 1985 and 2014. NHL All-Star games were hosted in 1972 and 2004, NBA All-Star game in 1994, WNBA All-Star game in 2018 and MLS All-Star game in 2022. The Stanley Cup Finals have been played in the Twin Cities twice, in 1981 and 1991. The NHL Stadium Series had a game in the Twin Cities in 2016, and
5720-525: The Twin Cities to be named for Minnesota as a whole. In terms of development, the two cities remain distinct in their progress, with Minneapolis absorbing new and avant-garde architecture while Saint Paul continues to carefully integrate new buildings into the context of classical and Victorian styles. Like much of Minnesota, the Twin Cities area was shaped by water and ice over millions of years. The area's land sits atop thick layers of sandstone and limestone laid down as seas encroached upon and receded from
5824-460: The Twin Cities. Other memorable Twin Cities weather-related events include the tornado outbreak on May 6, 1965, the Armistice Day Blizzard on November 11, 1940, and the Halloween Blizzard of 1991. In January 2019 , Minnesota experienced its coldest temperatures since 1996, when a polar vortex dropped temperatures as low as −56 °F (−49 °C) in Cotton, Minnesota , with wind-chill temperatures lower than −60 °F (−51 °C) in much of
5928-529: The United States. But due to their southern location in the state and the urban heat island , the Twin Cities are among Minnesota's warmest places. The average annual temperature recorded at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 45.4 °F (7.4 °C); 3.5 °F (1.9 °C) colder than Winona, Minnesota , and 8.8 °F (4.9 °C) warmer than Roseau, Minnesota . Monthly average daily high temperatures range from 21.9 °F (−5.6 °C) in January to 83.3 °F (28.5 °C) in July;
6032-481: The Year Ike Opara , traded from Sporting KC ; longtime Seattle Sounders FC defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso ; Ligue 2 defender Romain Métanire ; and goalkeeper Vito Mannone , loaned from Reading F.C. After beginning the 2019 season with five matches on the road, MNUFC played their first match at the new Allianz Field on April 13, earning a 3–3 draw versus New York City FC. The team went on to post 10 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses at home. MNUFC's performance on
6136-511: The area in the following decades. At one time, the region had numerous passenger rail services, including both interurban streetcar systems and interstate rail. Due to the river's width at points farther south, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area was briefly one of the few places where the Mississippi could be crossed by railroad. Much commercial rail traffic also ran through the area, often carrying grain to be processed at Minneapolis mills or delivering other goods to Saint Paul to be transported along
6240-523: The average daily minimum temperatures for those months are 4.3 °F (−15.4 °C) and 63.0 °F (17.2 °C) respectively. Minimum temperatures of 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower are seen on an average of 29.7 days per year, and 76.2 days do not have a maximum temperature exceeding the freezing point. Temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C) occur an average of 15 times per year. Higher temperatures at or above 100 °F (38 °C) are recorded once every 4-5 years on average, and sometimes during
6344-443: The award for the second time. Vito Mannone , who earned 11 cleansheets and conceded only 43 goals, was named 2019 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year . After the 2019 season, Minnesota United traded Darwin Quintero to the Houston Dynamo for midfielder Marlon Hairston and $ 600,000 in allocation money. Upon the end of goalkeeper Vito Mannone's loan, Minnesota United brought in Tyler Miller (soccer) via trade with Los Angeles FC to take
SECTION 60
#17327985964476448-412: The campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis , for its first two seasons in MLS play. Minnesota United FC completed construction of Allianz Field , a soccer-specific stadium in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood , in early 2019. Minnesota United FC's ownership is led by Bill McGuire , former CEO of UnitedHealth Group , and includes other Minnesota sports owners: the Pohlad family, owners of
6552-486: The club as its second Designated Player later in the season. MNUFC averaged nearly 24,000 fans per match during its second year at TCF Bank Stadium, including a crowd of 52,242 at the final match in their temporary home. The team managed 10 wins at home, but struggled on the road with only one victory. MNUFC made substantial roster additions prior to the 2019 season, including its third Designated Player , midfielder Ján Greguš from F.C. Copenhagen ; 2017 MLS Defender of
6656-423: The club for 2017–2018 while their soccer-specific stadium was in construction. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Coaching staff Technical staff Front office For
6760-434: The country covering many men's and women's soccer games at college and professional levels. She also covered the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup as part of the five broadcast teams that covered that tournament. Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint Paul Minneapolis–Saint Paul is a metropolitan area in the Upper Midwestern United States centered around the confluence of the Mississippi , Minnesota , and St. Croix rivers in
6864-419: The design and construction are paid for by private funds. On October 23, 2015, it was announced that Minnesota United would build a stadium on the 35-acre St. Paul Bus Barn site. The proposed stadium will seat approximately 20,000 and will be privately financed. On November 25, 2015, Minnesota United FC hired Populous to design the stadium. On December 9, 2015, the team hired Mortenson Construction as part of
6968-432: The downtown area. The Twin Cities area has a number of venues where artists come to perform. Minneapolis is home to First Avenue . First Avenue is known for being the starting venue for many famous artists and bands from the area, including Prince , The Replacements , Atmosphere , and Manny Phesto . It became one of the most recognizable venues in Minnesota after the release of the Prince movie Purple Rain , in which it
7072-489: The eastern side of the Mississippi, a few villages such as Pig's Eye and Lambert's Landing grew to become Saint Paul. Natural geography played a role in the two cities' settlement and development. The Mississippi River Valley in the area is defined by a series of stone bluffs that line the river. Saint Paul grew up around Lambert's Landing, the last place to unload boats coming upriver at an easily accessible point, seven miles (11 km) downstream from Saint Anthony Falls ,
7176-420: The full season-by-season history, see List of Minnesota United FC seasons . ^ 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only. ^ 2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in league, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup , MLS is Back tournament , CONCACAF Champions League , FIFA Club World Cup , and other competitive continental matches. From 2023, every Minnesota United match
7280-440: The game 6–1, handing Minnesota more unwanted records including the record defeat of any expansion side and becoming the only team in MLS history to concede five or more in consecutive games. Following a 2–2 draw at the Colorado Rapids and a 5–2 loss at New England Revolution , United had conceded 18 goals in their first four games, which is an MLS record through the first six games of a season. The team got its first win in MLS with
7384-404: The geographic feature that, due to the value of its immense water power for industry, defined Minneapolis's location and its prominence as the Mill City. The falls can be seen from the Mill City Museum , housed in the former Washburn "A" Mill , which was among the world's largest mills in its time. The phrase "St. Paul is the last city of the East, Minneapolis the first city of the West" alludes to
7488-544: The historical difference. The state's oldest farms are in Washington County . The county borders the St. Croix River and Wisconsin on the eastern side of the metropolitan area. Joseph Haskell was Minnesota's first white farmer, harvesting the first crops in the state in 1840 on what is now part of Afton Township on Trading Post Trail. The Grand Excursion , a trip into the Upper Midwest sponsored by
7592-404: The nation's healthiest metropolitan area. The Twin Cities is one of 12 American metropolitan areas with teams in all four major professional sports —baseball (MLB), football (NFL), basketball (NBA) and ice hockey (NHL). Including Major League Soccer (MLS), it is one of 11 metro areas with five major professional sports teams. To avoid favoring either city, most teams based in the area use only
7696-474: The official team name would be NSC Minnesota, with the team nickname being Stars on February 5, 2010. Five days later, former USMNT player Manny Lagos was named as the club's first head coach. The team played its first official game on April 11, 2010, a 2–0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps . The first goal in franchise history was scored by Daniel Wasson in their next game, a 1–0 victory over
7800-522: The plan. The group asked the politicians for a sales tax exemption of up to $ 3 million on construction materials, as well as breaks or caps on city and county property taxes for the stadium site. The tax relief could potentially add up to around $ 50 million. The day after the meeting, Mayor Hodges said she opposed the sales tax and property tax exemption because unlike other stadiums in Minneapolis that have received similar breaks, Minnesota United's stadium would be privately owned. The following week,
7904-425: The playoffs. Prior to Soccer Bowl '84 , the team announced head coach David Chadwick , who had moved with the team from Fort Lauderdale , would not return and hired Alan Merrick as his replacement. On August 28, 1984, along with three other NASL team, the Strikers joined the Major Indoor Soccer League for the 1984–85 season. Finishing the season with a record of twenty-four wins and twenty-four losses,
8008-550: The rail companies to combat the rise of the automobile, some of the earliest streamliners ran from Chicago to Minneapolis/Saint Paul and eventually served distant points in the Pacific Northwest . Today, this interstate service is served by Amtrak 's Seattle / Portland -to- Chicago Empire Builder route, running once daily in each direction, and supplemented by the Borealis route to Chicago. The Empire Builder
8112-458: The region. Erosion caused natural caves to develop, which were expanded into mines when white settlers came to the area. During Prohibition , at least one speakeasy was built into these hidden spaces—eventually refurbished as Saint Paul's Wabasha Street Caves . Lakes across the area were formed and altered by the movement of glaciers . This left many bodies of water in the region, some with unusual shapes. For example, Lake Minnetonka , toward
8216-405: The reservation on the river's east side. For several years, the only European resident to live on the west bank of the river was Colonel John H. Stevens , who operated a ferry service across the river. When the military reservation was reduced in size, settlers quickly moved to the land, creating the new village of Minneapolis. The town grew, with Minneapolis and Saint Anthony eventually merging. On
8320-475: The rivalry became so intense that an architect practicing in one city was often refused business in the other. The 1890 United States Census even led to the two cities arresting and/or kidnapping each other's census takers, in an attempt to keep each city from outgrowing the other. The rivalry occasionally erupted into inter-city violence, as at a 1929 game between the Minneapolis Millers and
8424-463: The road was vastly improved in 2019, posting 5 wins and 2 draws including a 2-0 statement win at LAFC on September 1. The club made a very successful run in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup . On August 27, the club traveled to Mercedes Benz Stadium to take on Atlanta United in the Cup final, Minnesota's first final appearance since joining MLS. The match resulted in a 2–1 Atlanta victory. MNUFC finished fourth in
8528-414: The season saw Minnesota struggle to find their footing with a 6-game winless streak going into the final 2 games of the season. Minnesota finally won a make-or-break game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC decision day to clinch the 6th seed in the 2022 MLS Cup playoffs , making them the only team in the western conference to qualify for the playoffs 4 years in a row. After finishing 120 minutes tied 1-1, MNUFC
8632-460: The series at three games a piece. However, San Diego was able to capture their fifth straight indoor title with a 5-3 victory over Minnesota on May 27, 1986. The Strikers finished the 1986–87 season with a record of twenty six wins and twenty six losses, in fourth place of the Eastern Division and qualifying for the playoffs. Meeting Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs, the Force defeated
8736-577: The severity of the epidemic became clearer. The 2020 season restarted in July with the league's MLS is Back Tournament , held in Orlando, Florida and including 24 of the league's 26 teams. The month-long tournament included a group stage, counted as part of the regular season standings; and a knockout stage. The Loons finished second in Group D, with one win and two draws. In the knockout stage, MNUFC defeated
8840-508: The squad signed Argentinian Franco Fragapane and Frenchman Adrien Hunou . They ended the regular season in fifth place, earning an opening round playoff berth on the road against the Portland Timbers , but their season was ended with a 3-1 Portland victory. 2022 saw the breakout of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair who anchored an impressive 8-save shutout against the New York Red Bulls in his week 3 debut. Success started early for
8944-542: The stadium construction along with Populous. On February 24, 2016, the team revealed design plans for their 21,500-seat soccer-specific stadium, set to be built by 2018 and financed privately by the team. On July 25, 2017, the stadium's name was announced as Allianz Field, which opened in March 2019. On August 19, 2016, it was announced that Minnesota United would play in the 2017 Major League Soccer season , with home matches at TCF Bank Stadium . The stadium had been home to
9048-475: The starting job. Prior to the season, MNUFC added a number of players including striker Luis Amarilla via loan from Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield . The Loons got off to an excellent start for 2020 with two convincing road wins at the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes in March, before Major League Soccer suspended its season due to the COVID-19 epidemic, first for 30 days and then indefinitely as
9152-636: The state. These temperatures are colder than those found on the surface of Mars . (See: Department of Natural Resources - Cold Outbreak: January 27-31, 2019 ) A normal growing season in the metro extends from late April or early May through the month of October. The USDA places the area in the 4a plant hardiness zone . The Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area , or Twin Cities, includes 15 counties, of which 13 are in Minnesota and two in Wisconsin. The Minnesota portion accounts for almost two-thirds of Minnesota's population. Note: Counties that are bolded are under jurisdiction of
9256-639: The surrounding smaller cities, feature lakes, hills, and creeks. Originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and Dakota people, the cities were settled by various Europeans. Minneapolis was strongly influenced by early Scandinavian and Lutheran settlers, while Saint Paul was settled predominantly by the French , the Irish , and German Catholics . Both urban areas are home to new immigrant communities, including Mexicans , Somalis , Hmong , Indians , Oromo , Vietnamese , Cameroonians , and Liberians . "Twin Cities"
9360-476: The team announced it was moving to Fort Lauderdale . Following the conclusion of the 1983 outdoor season season long rumors that the team was looking to move were confirmed when General Manager Tim Robbie met with officials in Minneapolis On November 30, 1983, team owner Elizabeth Robbie, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich , and NASL president Howard Samuels officially announced the team
9464-585: The team left Florida following the 1983 North American Soccer League season . After the 1987–88 season and playing four seasons in the MISL the team ceased operations. Founded in 1963 as the amateur club Washington Britannica and eventually rebranding as the Washington Darts , the team joined the North American Soccer League in 1970 after playing three seasons in the American Soccer League and winning two consecutive ASL championships. After
9568-445: The time as Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin respectively). For the 2021 Major League Soccer season , WUCW became the over-the-air home of Minnesota United, airing 16 matches as simulcasts from Bally Sports North. KSTP serves as the team's radio partner. Minnesota United's commentary team featured Callum Williams as the play-by-play commentator. Williams had previously worked for Sporting Kansas City when they were known as
9672-522: The warmer months. Ice fishing is a major winter pastime, although overambitious fishers sometimes find themselves in danger when they venture onto the ice too early or too late. Hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding and other outdoor activities are also popular. This connection to the outdoors also brings a strong sense of environmentalism to many Minnesotans. In 2011 and 2012, the American College of Sports Medicine named Minneapolis–Saint Paul
9776-635: The west side of the Mississippi River on lake-covered terrain. Although most of the city is residential neighborhoods, it has a business-dominated downtown area with some historic industrial areas, the Mill District and the North Loop area. Saint Paul, which sits mostly on the east side of the river, has a smaller business district, many tree-lined neighborhoods, and a large collection of late- Victorian architecture . Both cities, and
9880-521: The western bank of the St. Croix River , which forms the border of central Minnesota and Wisconsin. Another settlement that fueled early interest in the area was the outpost at Fort Snelling , which was constructed from 1820 to 1825 at the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Mississippi River . The Fort Snelling military reservation bordered both sides of the river up to Saint Anthony Falls . The town of Saint Anthony grew just outside
9984-415: The western side of the Twin Cities, consists of a complex arrangement of channels and large bays. Elevations in the area range from 1,376 feet (419 m) above sea level in the northwest metro to 666 feet (203 m) at the edge of the Mississippi River in the southeast. Owing to their northerly latitude and inland location, the Twin Cities experience the coldest climate of any major metropolitan area in
10088-403: The word "Minnesota" in their names, rather than "Minneapolis" or "St. Paul". Minneapolis was the site of two Super Bowls — Super Bowl XXVI in 1992 and Super Bowl LII in 2018. It is the farthest north that a Super Bowl has ever been played. The Minnesota Vikings have played in four Super Bowls— IV in 1970, VIII in 1974, IX in 1975 and XI in 1977. The World Series has been played in
10192-463: Was knocked out of the playoffs in a (5)–(4) shootout against FC Dallas . The badge features a stylized loon , which is the state bird of Minnesota , with eleven spread feathers, one for each of the players on the field. The team's colors are gray, sky blue, and black, with a red accent. The blue line across the logo represents the Mississippi River. The two sides of the blue represent the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The gray color represents
10296-775: Was largely healed by the end of the 1960s, aided by the simultaneous arrival in 1961 of the Minnesota Twins of the American League and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League , both of which identified themselves with the state as a whole (the former explicitly named for both Twin Cities) rather than either city (like the earlier Minneapolis Lakers ). Since 1961, it has been common practice for any major sports team based in
10400-590: Was moving and indicated the team had lost around $ 1 million in the last year. The Strikers played their first game on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies , their former cross-state rivals in the Florida Derby , winning a game decided by a shootout. The team played its first home game at Metrodome on May 12, 1984, defeating the Chicago Sting 3-2. The Strikers ended the season with
10504-618: Was not ready to play in 2017, Minnesota would take its place. The Twin Cities were previously represented by the Minnesota Kicks in the top-level North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1976 to 1981, and later the Minnesota Strikers in 1984. The Kicks played their home games at Bloomington's Metropolitan Stadium , while the Strikers played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome . The Minnesota Legislature had passed
10608-443: Was set the next year. At an annual average of 56.3 inches (1,430 mm), snowfall is generally abundant. The Twin Cities area takes the brunt of many types of extreme weather, including high-speed straight-line winds, tornadoes, flash floods, drought, heat, bitter cold, and blizzards. The costliest weather disaster in Twin Cities history was a derecho event on May 15, 1998. Hail and wind damage exceeded $ 950 million, much of it in
10712-523: Was the basis of the 2006 film A Prairie Home Companion . The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater is a sketch and improvisational comedy theater in Minneapolis. It is the nation's oldest comedy theater. The Current and the Walker Art Center host the annual music festival Rock the Garden , which features nationally recognized and local artists. The festival has been held annually since 2008 and has featured artists such as Lizzo , Hippo Campus , Chance
10816-603: Was working on finalizing a plan by July 1, 2015, the deadline set by the league. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said he would oppose a publicly financed stadium, but said he would not oppose ancillary support for infrastructure reinforcements. In a plan released in April 2015, the ownership showed a projected cost for the stadium of $ 250 million: $ 100 million for MLS expansion fee, $ 30 million for land acquisition, and $ 120 million for construction. The ownership group met with Governor Dayton and other state political leaders to share
#446553