Minnesota United FC

**History** edit 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 the official team name would be NSC Minnesota, with the team nickname being Stars on February 5, 2010. Four days later, former United States national team 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 the Carolina RailHawks. The Stars enjoyed some impressive victories in their debut season, including a 3–1 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore, a 3–0 win over AC St. Louis, and a 3–1 win over FC Tampa Bay, eventually finishing fourth in their conference. Unfortunately for the Stars, they went out of the playoffs at the quarter-final stage, 4–0 on aggregate to the Carolina RailHawks, after defender Andres Arango was issued a red card after just 38 minutes. Simone Bracalello and Brian Cvilikas were the Stars' top scorers in 2010, with 5 goals each. The team averaged an attendance of 1,374 which was 10th out of the 12 league teams. 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. 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 a 0–0 draw against the Carolina RailHawks at the Metrodome in front of a crowd of 8,693. Minnesota faced an October 27, 2012, deadline to find new ownership to ensure a place in the NASL for the 2013 season. At the time the Minnesota Vikings expressed interest in professional soccer in Minnesota but were not contemplating purchasing the Stars. The league planned to vote on whether or not to fund the team for the 2013 season after the conclusion of the 2012 season. The USSF requirement that owners of a Division II team to be worth at least $20 million and a potential MLS bid by the Minnesota Vikings were seen as possible deterrents to finding a potential new owner. On November 9, 2012, the league officially announced that the team was purchased by Bill McGuire. On March 5, 2013, that was followed up by the team rebranding with the name Minnesota United FC. The $1.2 million budget that the Stars were operating on was expanded and the staff size increased to 20 employees for the start of the 2013 season, and has since more than doubled. 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 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 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 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 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. **2017 season** edit The team played their inaugural Major League Soccer match on March 3, 2017, 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 in a snowstorm with an MLS record-low kickoff temperature of 19 °F (−7 °C). They lost 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 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 and made other signings to improve on the field. United finished its inaugural MLS season in ninth place in the Western Conference. **2018 season** edit MNUFC lost two key players - midfielders Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay - to season-ending knee injuries early in 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 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. On June 29, 2018, player Collin Martin came out publicly as gay, making him at the time the only out gay man in any of the big five American sports leagues or any top-division professional men's national soccer leagues. He was also reported at the time to be the only active male professional soccer player to be openly gay. **2019 season** edit Minnesota United players in 2019 match vs. New Mexico United MNUFC made substantial roster additions prior to the 2019 season, including its third Designated Player, midfielder Ján Greguš from Copenhagen; 2017 MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara, traded from Sporting KC; longtime Seattle Sounders defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso; Ligue 2 defender Romain Métanire; and goalkeeper Vito Mannone, loaned from Reading 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. The team went on to post ten wins, six draws and two losses at home. MNUFC's performance on the road was vastly improved in 2019, posting five wins and two 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 the 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 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 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. **2020 season** edit 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 the starting job. Prior to the season, MNUFC added a number of players including striker Luis Amarilla via loan from 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 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 the Columbus Crew 1–1 on penalty kicks and the San Jose Earthquakes 4–1, before losing to Orlando City 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 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 the 75th minute, Seattle scored three straight late goals, including the winner in stoppage time to end Minnesota's historic run. **2021 season** edit 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 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 season** edit 2022 saw the breakout of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who anchored an impressive eight-save shutout against the New York Red Bulls in his week 3 debut. Success started early for 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 the season saw Minnesota struggle to find their footing, with a six-game winless streak going into the final two games of the season. Minnesota finally won a make-or-break game against Vancouver Whitecaps decision day to clinch the sixth 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 was knocked out of the playoffs in a (5)–(4) shootout against FC Dallas. - ^ Leighton, Tim (January 8, 2010) "Soccer – New team will replace Thunder" Saint Paul Pioneer Press - ^ Quarstad, Brian. "NSC Minnesota is Name of New Pro Soccer Team – Logo Unveiled | IMS Soccer News". Insidemnsoccer.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2011. - ^ "Soccer star Manny Lagos named coach of NSC Minnesota Stars". Pioneer Press. February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2025. - ^ "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Ussf.demosphere.com. April 11, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2011. - ^ La Vaque, David (April 25, 2010) "Stars launch franchise with a win  – The team, the successor to the Thunder, scored its first goal on a penalty kick and made it hold up." Star Tribune - ^ "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Ussf.demosphere.com. April 16, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2011. - ^ "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Ussf.demosphere.com. October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2011. - ^ Cite error: The named reference 3years was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Quarstad, Brian (January 10, 2012). "Minnesota Stars Get New Name and Logo: Minnesota Stars FC". Inside Minnesota Soccer. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ "NSC Minnesota Stars are now Minnesota Stars FC". Minnesota Stars FC. January 9, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ Leighton, Tim (April 6, 2012). "Minnesota Stars could envision move up to MLS". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on April 11, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ Vomhof, John Jr. (April 6, 2012). "For sale: Twin Cities pro soccer team". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ La Vaque, David (April 6, 2012). "Minnesota Stars face bigger challenge: Winning new fans, owner". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ La Vaque, David (April 8, 2012). "Champion Stars stymied in scoreless season soccer opener". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2012. - ^ Steger, Cody (October 4, 2012) "Desperately seeking an owner – League title wasn't enough; Stars are on bubble to remain in soccer league", Saint Paul Pioneer Press - ^ La Vaque, David (October 27, 2012) "As Stars go for title, their future goes up for a vote – The NASL board is expected to decide Saturday whether to fund the league-owned team for another year." Star Tribune - ^ Quarstad, Brian (November 9, 2012). "A Day for Minnesota Soccer Fans to Celebrate". Insidemnsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012. - ^ "Minnesota Stars FC Rebrands As Minnesota United FC | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013. - ^ Greder, Andy (March 6, 2013) "Can local soccer soar with new name, deep pockets?" Saint Paul Pioneer Press - ^ "Major League Soccer team coming to Mpls". MPR News. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024. - ^ "Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Minnesota that will begin play in 2018". Major League Soccer. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016. - ^ Baxter, Kevin (March 25, 2015). "MLS awards 23rd franchise to Minneapolis". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015. - ^ Garrison, Joey (August 8, 2017). "Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings, joins Nashville's MLS ownership group". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2017. - ^ Stejskal, Sam (March 25, 2015). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015. - ^ Brian Quarstad (May 12, 2012). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber Says Minnesota 'Goes on List' with New Vikings Stadium". Insidemnsoccer.com.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012. - ^ Vomhof, John Jr. (December 11, 2013). "Another downtown stadium? Somebody wants one". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015. - ^ a b Turner, Elliott (April 22, 2015). "MINNESOTA DISUNITED: THE FIGHT OVER AN MLS STADIUM IN MINNEAPOLIS". Vice Sports. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015. - ^ Roper, Eric. "Stadium plan is crucial next step for MLS in Minneapolis". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015. - ^ Sport, Guardian (March 4, 2017). "Minnesota United claim unwanted MLS record after 5–1 debut loss at Portland". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017. - ^ "Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 – 2017 MLS Match Recap". March 4, 2017. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017. - ^ Rosano, Nicholas (March 12, 2017). "Minnesota United FC home opener clocks in as coldest ever MLS game". MLS. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017. - ^ "Minnesota United 1-6 Atlanta United - Major League Soccer 2017 Live". www.whoscored.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017. - ^ "Is Minnesota this bad? Comparing the Loons to MLS' expansion strugglers". ESPNFC. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017. - ^ Davis, Jason. "New England condemns Minnesota to inglorious record; Timbers toppled". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017. - ^ "Minnesota United finally won their first match with of mix of good attacking and a Nick Rimando error". Fox Sports. April 2, 2017. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2017. - ^ Hartley, Eve (June 29, 2018). "Professional football player Collin Martin comes out as gay during pride month". Pink News. Retrieved June 29, 2018. - ^ a b "Minnesota United's Collin Martin comes out as gay". ESPN. June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018. - ^ "Minnesota United player Collin Martin comes out publicly as gay". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2018. - ^ "'I was ready to be more authentic': US footballer Collin Martin tells his coming out story". ESPN.com. October 11, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2023. - ^ Reimer, Alex (June 30, 2022). "Collin Martin says he had mixed feelings when his team forfeited a game after he was called an anti-gay slur". Outsports. Retrieved August 23, 2023. - ^ Patrick, Joe (August 28, 2019). "In the end, Atlanta United win US Open Cup Final with old-fashioned grit". Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2020. - ^ Liljenwall, Ari (October 20, 2019). "Minnesota United 1, LA Galaxy 2 - 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019. - ^ Bogert, Tom (October 17, 2019). "Minnesota United's Ike Opara wins 2019 MLS Defender of the Year". Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019. - ^ "Minnesota United FC's Vito Mannone voted Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019. - ^ "Minnesota United Trades Darwin Quintero to Houston Dynamo". November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "Luis Amarilla Joins MNUFC". January 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "MLS extends season suspension in accordance with CDC guidance on COVID-19". March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "MLS is Back Tournament". June 10, 2020. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "Emanuel Reynoso Signs With MNUFC". September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "Kei Kamara Signs With MNUFC". September 19, 2020. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020. - ^ "Seattle Sounders 3, Minnesota United FC 2 – 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap". December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020. - ^ MNUFC. "Recap | Minnesota United - 1, Union Omaha - 2 | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022. - ^ mlssoccer. "Updated 2022 MLS All-Star Team Roster | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022. - ^ MNUFC. "Path to the Playoffs – a New Season Starts Now | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022. - ^ MNUFC. "Playoff Recap | FC Dallas – 1(5), Minnesota United – 1(4) | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.