Minnesota United FC (MLS)
| Founded | March 25, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bill McGuire |
| League | Major League Soccer |
Minnesota United FC is a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise in Minneapolis, Minnesota that plans to begin play in 2018. The team will become the league's 23rd team and replace the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise of the same name. Minnesota United FC's ownership is led by Bill McGuire, former CEO of UnitedHealth Group, and includes other Minneapolis sports owners: Twins owners the Pohlad family, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, and Wild investor Glen Nelson.
The team plans to play in a yet-to-be-approved stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.
Minnesota United will be the sixth MLS expansion team to be promoted from a lower division, following Seattle Sounders FC (2009), Portland Timbers (2011), Vancouver Whitecaps (2011), Montreal Impact (2012), and Orlando City SC (2015).[1]
Expansion process[edit]
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 former UnitedHealth CEO Bill 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.[2]
McGuire bought the team, then named the Minnesota Stars, in November 2012 when it was under NASL's caretaker ownership.[3] In September 2013, 2020 Partnership, a consortium of Downtown Minneapolis businesses, approached United about building a soccer-specific stadium by the Minneapolis Farmers Market near Target Field.[4]
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,[5] including a five-year exclusive window to host MLS games in the new stadium.[6] However, Commissioner Garber said that whenever possible, the league preferred stadiums that were "outdoor, soccer-specific stadium, 20,000 seats, playing on grass" as opposed to larger, covered venues with artificial turf like the Vikings stadium.[7]
Stadium[edit]
McGuire has stated a desire to build a soccer-specific stadium next to the Minneapolis Farmers Market in downtown.[8] 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. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said he would not support a publicly financed stadium, but said he would not oppose ancillary support for infrastructure reinforcements.[7]
References[edit]
- ↑ "MAKE WAY FOR MINNESOTA MLS' 23rd team to begin play in 2018". Big Apple Soccer. March 25, 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
- ↑ Baxter, Kevin (March 25, 2015). "MLS awards 23rd franchise to Minneapolis". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
- ↑ "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 2015-03-25.
- ↑ Greder accessdate = 2015-03-25, Andy (June 10, 2014). "Pro soccer: Vikings go public with push for MLS team in Minnesota". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Vomhof, Jr., John (December 11, 2013). "Another downtown stadium? Somebody wants one". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Roper, Eric. "Stadium plan is crucial next step for MLS in Minneapolis". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
- ↑ Kaszuba, Mike; Dennis Brackin (March 24, 2015). "MLS to make 'major announcement' Wednesday at Target Field". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
External links[edit]
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