Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United
Full name Minnesota United Football Club
Nickname(s) The Loons[1]
Founded March 25, 2015 (2015-03-25)
Stadium TCF Bank Stadium
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium
capacity		 50,805
Owner Bill McGuire
Head Coach Adrian Heath
League Major League Soccer
Website Club website

Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area that plays in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The club began play in 2017[2][3] as the league's 22nd club, and replaced the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise of the same name.

The club currently plays its home games at TCF Bank Stadium, on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The club eventually plans to play in Saint Paul (becoming the city's second major professional sports team after the Minnesota Wild), at Allianz Field in the Midway neighborhood.[4]

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 the Twins; Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor; former Wild investor Glen Nelson, and his daughter Wendy Carlson Nelson of the Carlson hospitality company.

Minnesota United are the sixth MLS expansion team to join from a lower division, following Seattle Sounders FC (2009), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011), Portland Timbers (2011), Montreal Impact (2012), and Orlando City SC (2015).[5]

History

Pro soccer first came to Minnesota in 1976, when the Minnesota Kicks entered the North American Soccer League (1968–84). The team played for a championship, but folded in 1981. The NASL would fold just three seasons later, in 1984. In 1994 pro soccer returned to the state after a ten year absence, when the Minnesota Thunder gained entry into the upper level of the United Soccer League, which at the time held tier two classifcation from the USSF. The team enjoyed some league success, but folded due to financial difficulties in 2009. Manny Lagos, current sporting director at Minnesota United, was a celebrated Thunder player.

After the Thunder folded, a team owned by the National Sports Center called the NSC Minnesota Stars competed in the USSF Division 2 Professional League for the 2010 season, and, after the National Sports Center relinquished ownership in 2011, in the new North American Soccer League as Minnesota Stars FC, this time under the ownership of the North American Soccer League itself. Then, in late 2012, the club was purchased by former UnitedHealth CEO Bill McGuire, who rebranded the club under the name Minnesota United FC. Under McGuire's ownership, the club entered a new era of financial stability and on-field success. [6] [7]

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 sports owners, Twins owner Jim Pohlad, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, and Wild investor Glen Nelson. They beat out a competing bid by Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf.[8][9] Garber said Minnesota would begin play in 2017 or 2018 – if Los Angeles FC is not ready to play in 2017, Minnesota would take its place.[10]

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,[11] including a five-year exclusive window to host MLS games in the new stadium.[12] 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.[13] 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,[14] and McGuire had the support of Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat and at least three members of the Minneapolis City Council.[13]

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.[15][16][17]

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.[18] Christian Ramirez scored the team's first MLS goal.[19] 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).[20] They lost the game 6–1,[21] 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.[22] 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.[23] The team got its first win in MLS with a 4–2 home victory over Real Salt Lake on April 1.[24]

Stadium

Coordinates: 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.[25] At the time of the club's launch, the league did not give any timeline for the stadium plan, but said it was working on finalizing a plan by July 1, 2015, the deadline set by the league.[13] Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said he would oppose a publicly financed stadium, but said he would not oppose ancillary support for infrastructure reinforcements.[14]

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.[13] The ownership group met with Governor Dayton and other state political leaders to share the plan.[26] 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.[27] The tax relief could potentially add up to around $50 million.[13]

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.[28] The following week, 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.[29] 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.[30]

Although 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.[31] Later that month, St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman spoke to Abbott proposed building on a city-owned vacant lot that formerly housed the Metro Transit bus barn near Interstate 94.[32]

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.[33]

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 the design and construction are paid for by private funds.[34] On October 23, 2015, it was announced that Minnesota United would build a stadium on the 35-acre St. Paul Bus Barn site.[35] The proposed stadium will seat approximately 20,000, is to be completed in 2018, and will be privately financed.[36]

On November 25, 2015, Minnesota United FC hired Populous to design the stadium.[37] On December 9, 2015, the team hired Mortenson Construction as part of the stadium construction along with Populous.[38]

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.[39]

On July 25, 2017 the stadium's name was announced as "Allianz Field", the stadium is now set to open in 2019.

Players and staff

Players

As of August 8, 2017 [40]
No. Position Player Nation
2 Defender Davis, JustinJustin Davis  United States
3 Defender Thiesson, JérômeJérôme Thiesson   Switzerland
4 Defender Taylor, JermaineJermaine Taylor  Jamaica
5 Defender Calvo, FranciscoFrancisco Calvo  Costa Rica
6 Defender Demidov, VadimVadim Demidov  Norway
7 Midfielder , IbsonIbson  Brazil
8 Defender Burch, MarcMarc Burch  United States
9 Forward Danladi, AbuAbu Danladi (GA)  Ghana
10 Midfielder Ibarra, MiguelMiguel Ibarra  United States
11 Midfielder Venegas, JohanJohan Venegas  Costa Rica
12 Defender Greenspan, JosephJoseph Greenspan  United States
13 Midfielder de Villardi, ThomasThomas de Villardi  France
14 Defender Kallman, BrentBrent Kallman  United States
15 Midfielder Jome, IsmailaIsmaila Jome  Gambia
16 Forward Kadrii, BashkimBashkim Kadrii (on loan from FC Copenhagen)  Denmark
17 Midfielder Martin, CollinCollin Martin  United States
18 Midfielder Molino, KevinKevin Molino  Trinidad and Tobago
19 Midfielder Cronin, SamSam Cronin  United States
21 Forward Ramirez, ChristianChristian Ramirez  United States
22 Defender Venegas, KevinKevin Venegas  United States
23 Midfielder Añor, BernardoBernardo Añor  Venezuela
24 Goalkeeper McLain, PatrickPatrick McLain  United States
25 Defender Boxall, MichaelMichael Boxall  New Zealand
26 Midfielder Warner, CollenCollen Warner  United States
27 Goalkeeper Kapp, AlexAlex Kapp  United States
28 Midfielder Nicholson, SamSam Nicholson  Scotland
30 Forward Allen, BrandonBrandon Allen (on loan from New York Red Bulls)  United States
33 Goalkeeper Shuttleworth, BobbyBobby Shuttleworth  United States
— Midfielder Finlay, EthanEthan Finlay  United States
— Midfielder Leitón, JoséJosé Leitón (on loan from Herediano)  Costa Rica

Out on loan

No. Position Player Nation
20 Midfielder Schüller, RasmusRasmus Schüller (on loan to HJK)  Finland

Management

Front office

  • Bill McGuire – owner[41]
  • Nick Rogers – president[41]
  • Todd Abramson – chief operating officer[41]
  • Eric Durkee – director, public relations[41]
  • Craig Mallace – director of camps and youth development[41]

Technical staff

Team records

League and cup history

Season P W L D PTS GF GA Position Open Cup Playoffs CCL
 2017 22 6 12 4 22 29 45 10th,
West 		4th Rnd TBD DNQ

Record vs. international opponents

Date Competition Venue Home Team Result Away Team
February 3, 2017 Friendly Kino Sports Complex, Casa Grande, Arizona Minnesota United FC 1–1 Croatia NK Istra 1961

Top goalscorers

As of match played July 3, 2017 [44]
# Name Career MLS Playoffs Open Cup CCL Total
1 United States Christian Ramirez 2017– 11 0 0 0 11
2 Trinidad and Tobago Kevin Molino 2017– 5 0 0 0 5
3 Ghana Abu Danladi 2017– 3 0 0 0 3
4 United States Miguel Ibarra 2017– 2 0 0 0 2
Costa Rica Johan Venegas 2017– 2 0 0 0 2
6 Costa Rica Francisco Calvo 2017– 1 0 0 0 1
United States Brent Kallman 2017– 1 0 0 0
Switzerland Jérôme Thiesson 2017– 1 0 0 0
United States Collen Warner 2017– 1 0 0 0

Kit sponsor

In January 2017, Minnesota United announced that the Minnesota-based retail giant Target Corporation had become the team's first MLS kit sponsor. In addition to having their bullseye logo displayed on their jerseys, Target also became an official partner of Major League Soccer. This deal grants them airtime during MLS broadcasts along with other advertising opportunities affiliated with both the team and league.[45]

References

  1. ↑ "RSL v MNU 2017 MLS Preseason Match". MNUNFC.com. February 14, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Atlanta to join Eastern Conference in 2017, Minnesota to compete in West". Major League Soccer. August 20, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  3. ↑ David La Vaque; Jessie Van Berkel (August 19, 2016). "Minnesota United is joining Major League Soccer in 2017". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  4. ↑ MLSsoccer staff (October 23, 2015). "Minnesota United FC announce plan for new St. Paul stadium". MLSsoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ "MAKE WAY FOR MINNESOTA MLS' 23rd team to begin play in 2018". Big Apple Soccer. March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Now or Never for Pro Soccer in Minnesota? Bill McGuire Resurrects the MN Stars Franchise as Minnesota United". Twin Cities Business. April 19, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  7. ↑ Quarstad, Brian. "The History of Professional Soccer in Minnesota". Retrieved August 1, 2017. Unknown parameter |site= ignored (help)
  8. ↑ "Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Minnesota that will begin play in 2018". Major League Soccer. March 25, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  9. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (March 25, 2015). "MLS awards 23rd franchise to Minneapolis". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  10. ↑ Stejskal, Sam (March 25, 2015). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  11. ↑ Brian Quarstad (May 12, 2012). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber Says Minnesota "Goes on List" with New Vikings Stadium". Insidemnsoccer.com.com. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ Vomhof, Jr., John (December 11, 2013). "Another downtown stadium? Somebody wants one". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Turner, Elliott (April 22, 2015). "MINNESOTA DISUNITED: THE FIGHT OVER AN MLS STADIUM IN MINNEAPOLIS". Vice Sports.
  14. 1 2 Roper, Eric. "Stadium plan is crucial next step for MLS in Minneapolis". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ Stejskal, Sam (August 19, 2016). "Minnesota United FC to join MLS in 2017, debuting at TCF Bank Stadium". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Minnesota United Begin MLS Play In 2017". Minnesota United FC. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  17. ↑ La Vaque, David; Van Berkel, Jessie (August 19, 2016). "Minnesota United is joining Major League Soccer in 2017". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Minnesota United claim unwanted MLS record after 5-1 debut loss at Portland". The Guardian. March 4, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 - 2017 MLS Match Recap". Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  20. ↑ Rosano, Nicholas (March 12, 2017). "Minnesota United FC home opener clocks in as coldest ever MLS game". MLS. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1157628/Live
  22. ↑ "Is Minnesota this bad? Comparing the Loons to MLS' expansion strugglers". ESPNFC. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  23. ↑ "New England condemns Minnesota to inglorious record; Timbers toppled". ESPN FC. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Minnesota United finally won their first match with of mix of good attacking and a Nick Rimando error". FOX Sports. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  25. ↑ Kaszuba, Mike; Dennis Brackin (March 24, 2015). "MLS to make 'major announcement' Wednesday at Target Field". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  26. ↑ Greder, Andy (April 14, 2015). "United FC asks for tax relief on privately financed stadium". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Minnesota United owner meets with governor over tax ememptions". Associated Press. April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  28. ↑ Golden, Erin (April 15, 2015). "Minneapolis mayor rejects tax break plan for soccer stadium". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  29. ↑ Codon, Patrick (April 20, 2015). "Senate votes to bar state money for soccer stadium". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ Gilbert, Curtis (April 30, 2015). "United owner Bill McGuire open to public stadium ownership". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  31. ↑ Straus, Brian (July 1, 2015). "MLS's stadium deadline passes, but Minnesota still in play for expansion". Planet Fútbol. Sports Illustrated.
  32. ↑ Greder, Andy; Frederick Melo (July 10, 2015). "Soccer in St. Paul: Mayor pushes Snelling site for MLS stadium". Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  33. ↑ Roper, Eric (September 1, 2015). "Minneapolis soccer stadium land deal ends in silence". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  34. ↑ Melo, Frederick (September 8, 2015). "Ramsey County approves St. Paul soccer stadium resolution". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  35. ↑ Melo, Frederick (October 23, 2015). "Minnesota United FC announce plan for new St. Paul stadium resolution". Major League Soccer.
  36. ↑ "A vision for the future - Minnesota United". Minnesota United FC. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Minnesota United hire Populous as architect for new St. Paul stadium". Major League Soccer. November 24, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  38. ↑ Walsh, James (December 9, 2015). "Minnesota United picks Mortenson to build stadium". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  39. ↑ Bedakian, Armen. "Minnesota United Reveal Plans for New Soccer-Specific Stadium". The Score. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Minnesota United FC Roster". mnunitedfc.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Front Office Staff". Minnesota United FC. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Technical Staff". Minnesota United FC. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 "Minnesota United Names Head Coach". Minnesota United FC. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Minnesota United FC Player Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Target Becomes Official Partner And Kit Sponsor". MNUFC. January 19, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.