Minnesota United Next Chapter is in the MLS
#NextStopMLS Minnesota United’s major announcement tonight on the “next chapter” for soccer has the MLS commissioner Don Garber, Minnesota United majority owner Dr. William McGuire, Minnesota governor Mark Dayton, and Saint Paul mayor Chris Coleman all gathered at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minn.
The MLS and Minnesota United have a lot to celebrate today. Aside from the major announcement on Friday (Live stream at MLSsoccer.com, 7 pm ET), the lowdown on soccer in Minneapolis-St. Paul is exciting. More than 4,000 soccer fans are expected to come to the stadium this evening to hear the news first hand. As the door opens to play in th eMLS, the sunsets on the name Untied, the team name in the NASL. Although there has been speculation of a name change – good news Minnesota fans. While the D.C. United has the original stronghold on the name United, and the MLS is sharing that name with MLS newcomer Atlanta, Minnesota United gets to keep its name!
We would like to be the first to wish Minnesota United FC much success in its new endeavors in MLS,” says NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “Dr. Bill McGuire and his staff and players have been passionate and dedicated partners during their time in the NASL, and we thank them for that. It’s also important to recognize the incredible fans who have supported Minnesota’s NASL clubs over the last six years. It has been a real joy to watch them develop such a deep love for their club.”
#NextStopMLS
Also exciting is the new privately-financed 20,000 seat soccer-specific stadium which is being planned for the Snelling-Midway community of St. Paul.
Minnesota United FC will begin play next season at an interim venue, TCF Bank Stadium, while their new, world-class stadium is being built.
“We are proud to officially announce that Minnesota United FC will join Major League Soccer in 2017,” said Commissioner Don Garber. “The ownership group’s commitment to soccer and the community, the area’s growing millennial population and the region’s rich tradition of supporting soccer at all levels are key indicators that this will be a very successful MLS market.”
“We have made great strides in the months since MLS expansion plans were announced,” said Dr. William McGuire, “and look forward to making the jump to Major League Soccer. This next step is an endorsement of our great state, people, and values, and we look forward to jointly building this team as an important piece of our community.”
Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman addressed the positive impact the Midway stadium plans will have on the neighborhood. “This opportunity will bring incredible revitalization to the heart of the Twin Cities – made possible by the catalyst of this proposed stadium and extensive community input,” said Mayor Coleman. “We are so excited to have Major League Soccer here in Minnesota, and to bring the world’s game to Saint Paul and to the entire region.”
“We have designed what will be a state-of-the-art facility that is ideal for soccer and will optimize the experience for our diverse and passionate fans, as well as that of the players,” said Dr. McGuire. “It complements the Snelling-Midway neighborhood and community, and we are confident that it will drive additional investment and development in the area”
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton addressed the soccer fans, offering his support of Minnesota being awarded an MLS club and what it means to the state. “I congratulate the City of Saint Paul, and the Minnesotans who worked together to successfully secure a major league soccer franchise in our state,” said Governor Dayton. “Soccer is a sport with widespread and growing appeal, both in Minnesota and around the country. I, like many Minnesotans, look forward to enjoying professional soccer in our state for many years to come.”
With the addition of the new team in Minnesota, 13 clubs have joined MLS since 2005, fulfilling an expansion vision that has transformed the landscape of professional soccer across North America.
Youth soccer has been flourishing in Minnesota for years. US Youth Soccer’s state Association has more than 70,000 youth players registered and pro soccer in Minnesota made its debut 40 years ago when the Kicks first began play in 1976.
Fun Fact: The Minnesota United FC first kicked the soccer ball around on the soccer field in 2010 as the Stars — a team owned by the National Sports Center in Blaine. McGuire purchased the team in 2012 and created a partnership with several other Minnesota families to help build the team, which was subsequently awarded an MLS expansion team on March 25, 2015.
Playing soccer in America’s highest pro league in a honor and one that Minnesota fans are excited about. Stave Governor Mark Dayton announced yesterday that there will not be a special session called to finalize a property tax exemption and liquor license for the new stadium.
According to the Star Tribune, “The lack of a special session will not affect Friday’s planned celebration. MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire, Gov. Dayton, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and former MLS player and current ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman will address the crowd during the event, scheduled from 5 to 9:30 p.m. McGuire, heading the MLS ownership group, has said the team is operating “on the good faith” that Dayton and the legislators will ultimately approve the stadium tax breaks.”
Why Minnesota when there are so many cities clamoring for an MLS team? MLS Commissioner Garber said in 2015, “The ownership group’s commitment to soccer and the community, the area’s growing millennial population and the region’s rich tradition of supporting soccer at all levels in Minnesota were key indicators that this was the right market. The passionate soccer fans in Minnesota will soon have a world-class, downtown soccer stadium that will serve as the home for the new MLS team and become a destination for marquee international sports events.”
Get in the action early – Fans are encouraged to act early to be a part of soccer history in Minnesota and purchase 2016 Minnesota United FC season tickets now and get an ‘Early Seat Selection Time’ for the club’s 2017 MLS season seat selection. Fans can visit www.mnunitedtickets.com for details.
