Minnesota United
Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, founded in 2017 as Major League Soccer's 22nd franchise. The club competes in the Western Conference of MLS and plays its home matches at the 20,000-seat Allianz Field in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, which opened in 2019. The team's ownership is led by Bill McGuire, former CEO of UnitedHealth Group, and includes prominent Minnesota sports figures such as the Pohlad family, Glen Taylor, and Wendy Carlson Nelson. Minnesota United's most notable achievement to date was reaching the 2019 U.S. Open Cup final, where they finished as runners-up after a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Minnesota United Football Club, commonly known as MNUFC, represents the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area in Major League Soccer. The club began MLS play in the 2017 season, replacing a North American Soccer League franchise of the same name. For its first two seasons, the team played at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus before moving to their purpose-built Allianz Field in 2019.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent seasons, Minnesota United has established itself as a consistent playoff contender in the Western Conference. The club made four consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2022, with their most successful run coming in 2020 when they reached the Western Conference final. Despite leading 2-0 against the Seattle Sounders in the 75th minute, they conceded three late goals, including a stoppage-time winner that ended their historic campaign.
History
Early years
The club's origins trace back to January 2010 when the National Sports Center announced they would field a new team to replace the financially troubled Minnesota Thunder. Following a naming contest, the team was initially called NSC Minnesota with the nickname "Stars." Manny Lagos, a former United States national team player, was named as the first head coach. The team played its inaugural match on April 11, 2010, losing 2-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Daniel Wasson scored the franchise's first goal in their next match, a 1-0 victory over the Carolina RailHawks.
Successful period
In 2012, the club underwent significant changes, dropping the NSC portion of their name to become the Minnesota Stars and introducing a new logo featuring the state motto "L'Étoile du Nord." The team faced ownership uncertainty until November 9, 2012, when Bill McGuire purchased the franchise. On March 5, 2013, the team rebranded as Minnesota United FC, expanding their budget from $1.2 million and increasing staff to 20 employees.
The pivotal moment came on March 25, 2015, when MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced Minnesota United as the league's 23rd club. McGuire's ownership group, which included other Minneapolis-St. Paul sports owners like Jim Pohlad and Glen Taylor, beat out a competing bid from Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf.
Crisis and recovery
Minnesota United's entry into MLS in 2017 began disastrously. Their inaugural match on March 3, 2017, resulted in a 5-1 defeat to the Portland Timbers, representing the heaviest debut loss by an MLS expansion side. Their home opener against Atlanta United was played in a snowstorm with a record-low temperature of 19°F, resulting in a 6-1 defeat. The team conceded 18 goals in their first four games, setting an unwanted MLS record. Their first victory came on April 1 with a 4-2 home win over Real Salt Lake.
Current period
The 2018 season saw the arrival of the club's first Designated Player, Darwin Quintero from Club América, who led the team with 11 goals and 15 assists despite joining after five matches. The move to Allianz Field in 2019 marked a turning point, with the team making substantial roster additions including Ján Greguš, Ike Opara, and Osvaldo Alonso. The 2019 season culminated in reaching the U.S. Open Cup final and making their first MLS playoff appearance.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Minnesota United's primary domestic achievement came in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, where they reached the final before falling 2-1 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This marked the club's first final appearance since joining MLS and remains their most significant trophy challenge to date.
Continental and global competitions
The club has not yet participated in continental competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions League, as they have not achieved the necessary league standings or cup victories to qualify for these tournaments.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The current badge features a stylized loon, Minnesota's state bird, with eleven spread feathers representing the players on the field. The design incorporates the blue line representing the Mississippi River, with the two sides symbolizing the twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The upward-pointing crest and North Star were inspired by "L'Étoile du Nord," Minnesota's state motto. Zeus Jones created the current design, which evolved from earlier iterations that included the NSC branding and various modifications throughout the club's NASL years.
Traditional home and away kits colors
The team's official colors are gray, sky blue, and black, with a red accent. The gray represents Minnesota's Iron Range, while the sky blue reflects the state's natural water features. These colors have remained consistent since the club's MLS debut, creating a distinctive visual identity that connects the team to Minnesota's geographical and cultural heritage.
Traditional club anthem
Following all home victories, Minnesota United fans sing "Wonderwall" by Oasis, which has become the club's unofficial anthem. This tradition reflects the supporter culture and the connection to the "Wonderwall" supporter section at Allianz Field.
Traditional Rivals
Minnesota United has not yet developed deep traditional rivalries due to their relatively recent entry into MLS. However, geographic proximity and conference alignment have created competitive relationships with clubs like the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and other Western Conference teams through playoff encounters and regular season matchups.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The club's primary stadium naming rights belong to Allianz, with Allianz Field serving as their home venue since 2019. Additional sponsorship details and partnerships have evolved since the club's MLS entry, though specific current sponsors are not detailed in the available information.
Nicknames
Minnesota United is commonly known as "the Loons," referencing Minnesota's state bird, which also features prominently in their logo design. This nickname has been embraced by supporters and is widely used in media coverage and fan communications.
Ownership and finances
The ownership group is led by Bill McGuire, former CEO of UnitedHealth Group, and includes several prominent Minnesota sports figures: the Pohlad family (owners of the Minnesota Twins), Glen Taylor (former owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves), and Wendy Carlson Nelson of the Carlson hospitality company. The late Glen Nelson was also a former investor in the Minnesota Wild.
Traditions and culture
The club's mascot is PK, a loon that has served since mid-2014. The main supporter groups include Dark Clouds and True North Elite, organized under the umbrella organization "MNWonderwall," which also includes affiliated groups like the Red Loons and Dark Glitterati. In early 2019, Wonderwall founded "THUNDERWALL," a coalition drumline permanently positioned in Allianz Field to provide percussion support for chants during matches.
Stadium
Allianz Field, which opened in March 2019, is a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium located in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood. The facility was privately financed by the ownership group and designed by Populous, with construction handled by Mortenson Construction. The stadium replaced TCF Bank Stadium, where the team played their first two MLS seasons while their permanent home was under construction. The venue features the permanent THUNDERWALL drumline section and has hosted significant events including the 2022 MLS All-Star Game.
Minnesota United
Club Information
Official Name
Minnesota United
Short Name
MIN
Founding Year
2010
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Allianz Field
Capacity
19.400
Address
400 Snelling Avenue North
City
Saint Paul, North & Central America
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Michael Boxall
Captain's Stats
188cm, 91kg
Head Coach
Eric Ramsay
Coach Nationality
GB
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Cúp Mỹ Mở Rộng | 🏆 2 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Major League Soccer (USA)
18 Scored - 22 Conceded
Major League Soccer (USA)
56 Scored - 39 Conceded
Leagues Cup (Leagues)
7 Scored - 6 Conceded
Major League Soccer (USA)
58 Scored - 49 Conceded
Leagues Cup (Leagues)
1 Scored - 2 Conceded