MINNESOTA UNITED CLUB GUIDE
History, Stadium, Players, and More!
Discover the world of soccer with fcscout.com, your go-to scout for club tryout information, club guides, player profiles, in-depth product reviews, and more.
1000+
team reviews of trending clubs
2M+
active users
annually
1000+
profiles in our player database
Explore
Minnesota United
Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that plays in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer.
Minnesota United History
Minnesota United FC, an American professional soccer team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has a rich history that dates back to its origins before officially joining Major League Soccer (MLS). The club’s journey began with the Minnesota Thunder, a team that played in the lower divisions of American soccer from 1990 to 2009. Following the dissolution of the Thunder, the NSC Minnesota Stars were founded in 2010, playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL). In 2011, the team was rebranded as Minnesota Stars FC.
The turning point for professional soccer in Minnesota came in 2013 when Dr. Bill McGuire purchased the team. Following the acquisition, the team underwent a significant rebranding, adopting the name Minnesota United FC. The rebrand symbolized a new era for the club, aimed at representing the entire state and uniting soccer fans across the region. Under the new ownership and brand, Minnesota United FC quickly became known for its strong community ties, distinctive loon logo, and black and blue colors.
The club’s aspirations took a major leap forward on March 25, 2015, when MLS announced that Minnesota United FC would join the league as its 22nd team. This was a monumental moment for soccer in Minnesota, as it marked the transition from the NASL to the top-tier professional soccer league in the United States. The team played its inaugural MLS season in 2017, opening with a match against the Portland Timbers.
Minnesota United FC’s early years in MLS were challenging, as is often the case with new teams in the league. The team struggled to find its footing, finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference in its first two seasons. However, the club made significant investments in its roster, infrastructure, and youth development, which started to bear fruit. In 2019, Minnesota United qualified for the MLS playoffs for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone in the club’s development.
In addition to on-field success, Minnesota United has made substantial progress off the field. The club moved to its new, soccer-specific stadium, Allianz Field, in 2019. Located in Saint Paul, the stadium is known for its innovative design and passionate fan base, known as the “Wonderwall.” The move to Allianz Field has created a formidable home-field advantage and has been instrumental in growing the sport’s popularity in the region.
Minnesota United FC has continued to establish itself as a competitive force in MLS. The club has consistently qualified for the playoffs in recent years and has developed a reputation for exciting soccer and a strong, loyal fan base. Off the field, Minnesota United remains committed to community engagement, youth development, and the growth of soccer in Minnesota. The club’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current status is a testament to the growth of soccer in the United States and the passion of Minnesota’s soccer fans.
Minnesota United FC Youth Development System
The MNUFC YDP is designed to develop the most talented and committed players regardless of social or economic situation into first team players for Minnesota United through the MLS NEXT system of player development. Through the creation of a Pro Player pathway, this program aims to raise the level of soccer in Minnesota.
Producing first team players from Minnesota for MNUFC means creating a program that serves the needs of Minnesota players. Minnesota is unique in soccer and our programming responds to our climate, our soccer calendar, our current systems for development and our geographical isolation. We’re building a system that is right for right here.
Within in each age group, MNUFC will create pools of the best players to promote competition. Players will be encouraged to play with their local clubs as well, promoting leadership and further development. The pool approach allows players to be guided to the best developmental situations at the right moments.
Minnesota United FC Youth Development
Minnesota United is reimagining its role in youth soccer in the state and the region with the launch of the MNUFC Youth Development Program. With its focus on developing professional-level soccer players who can play for Minnesota United’s first team, the program is designed to be collaborative with local youth clubs and function within the region’s unique soccer culture in an additive way. The MNUFC Youth Development Program will raise the level of the game across the state and region by bringing the highest level of youth soccer competition to the area and making it accessible to players regardless of social or economic situation.
Players in the MNUFC Youth Development Program will compete in the MLS Development League at the U15, U17 and U19 levels, providing an integrated pathway to the first team. At the same time, players will be able to continue playing for their club teams, with MNUFC providing resources and development assistance to those clubs. Minnesota United will also be actively engaged in youth development from U8 to U14 and will also be adding a U23 team that will also function as a reserve team, bridging the gap between youth and professional soccer.
The MNUFC Youth Development Program will be overseen by Chief Soccer Officer Manny Lagos, a former professional player with national team experience and a history in youth soccer development going back decades. The program will be led day-to-day by Noel Quinn, the Director of Youth Development for the club. Quinn has been heavily involved with Minnesota youth soccer for over 15 years, including as a director at Edina Soccer Club, EPSC and the Blaine SC.
Why Choose This Development Pathway?
We feel that this program will provide a more holistic approach to development that will create a clearer development pathway to professional soccer. By tailoring the program to the specific needs and unique environment of Minnesota, MNUFC can better serve the needs of the first team through local youth soccer while improving the competitive experience for all players. A major part of tapping into all the available soccer talent across the region is ensuring accessibility and affordability for all players.
If you’re interested in learning more about being part of the MNUFC Youth Development Program, please fill out the form by clicking here.
Minnesota United FC Academy Recruiting
Minnesota United FC are looking for young talented players who have the passion, ability and desire to pursue a pathway that may lead to a career in professional soccer.
Players are identified and evaluated for inclusion in our Academy through:
- Scouting
- Player Trial Application
- Youth Program Discovery
Minnesota United FC Scouting
Our Academy utilizes both coaches and scouts to identify prospective players. Individuals identified through scouting will be offered an opportunity to participate in a scheduled player trial or included within the appropriate age group team training.
Strict policies govern the scouting process (see section on Scouting Policies) and the manner in which scouts or members of our Academy Technical Staff conduct themselves. No direct contact with players is permitted during the course of the season and on-field contact between a scout and player is prohibited. Academy scouts are required to report any player identified to the MNUFC Academy Director or the Director of Player Personnel for follow up.
Minnesota United FC Player Trial Application
Players interested in being considered for our Academy and who would like to participate in a player trial must submit the Prospect Questionnaire (click here to access questionnaire). Upon review of your questionnaire we will contact you and your family to discuss the following options for trialing.
- Open player trial
- Team training session
- Youth program event
Minnesota United FC Youth Program Discovery
Throughout the year Minnesota United FC conducts numerous youth program activities, i.e., community camps, club training programs or Top Talent events. Participation in any one of these may lead to an opportunity to trial with our Academy as we include a talent discovery component within each of these programs.
Prospects identified through any of these methods are handled in a manner similar to scouted players. The player’s club will be contacted prior to the player being offered a trial opportunity.
For a complete listing and schedule of Youth Program events click here. (LINK INACTIVE. LINK WILL REMAIN HERE IN CASE IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AGAIN. UPDATED MARCH 2024).
CREATE A FREE RECRUITMENT PROFILE
Click the ‘LEARN MORE’ button below to take your career to the next level and create a fcscout.com recruitment portfolio to help clubs, coaches, agents, and scouts easily find you. For a limited time, we are offering this service for free!
Minnesota United Colors & Badge
Minnesota United FC’s team colors are sky blue, gray, and black. These colors are prominently featured in the team’s kits and branding, creating a distinctive and modern look that stands out in Major League Soccer.
The badge of Minnesota United FC is a distinctive one, incorporating several elements that represent the team and the state of Minnesota. The badge is circular, symbolizing unity and community. At the center of the badge is a loon with outstretched wings, which is the state bird of Minnesota and represents the state’s natural beauty and outdoor heritage. The loon is set against a background of sky blue, reflecting the vast skies and lakes of Minnesota.
The badge also features a North Star at the top, a nod to Minnesota’s nickname, “The North Star State.” This symbolizes guidance, leadership, and the northern heritage of the state. Additionally, the badge contains eleven vertical stripes, representing the eleven players on the soccer field, unity, and solidarity within the team.
The combination of these elements in the badge, along with the team’s colors, reflects Minnesota United FC’s identity and its connections to the community, the natural environment of Minnesota, and the spirit of soccer.
Minnesota United Kit
Minnesota United FC’s kits typically reflect the team’s primary colors: sky blue, gray, and black. Over the years, the design of the kits has varied, but they generally maintain these color schemes to keep the team’s identity consistent.
The home kit traditionally features a dominant dark gray or black color palette, often accented with sky blue and lighter gray elements. This could be in the form of stripes, trim, or detailing, which adds a distinctive touch while staying true to the club’s core colors. The team badge is prominently displayed on the left chest area, with sponsor logos and the Adidas logo (the team’s kit manufacturer) also visible.
The away kit usually offers a contrast to the home design, often utilizing the sky blue as the primary color, accompanied by black and gray accents. This lighter color scheme stands out on the field, especially when the team is playing away from home. As with the home kit, the away jersey also features the team’s badge and sponsor logos.
Minnesota United FC may also release third kits or special edition kits, which can vary in design and color but typically maintain elements of the team’s identity and color scheme. These kits are often used for specific occasions or to commemorate important events in the club’s history.
The design of the kits is not only a matter of aesthetics but also of identity and pride for both the players and the fans. As such, Minnesota United FC’s kits are designed to reflect the team’s spirit, values, and connection to the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota United Stadium
Minnesota United FC plays its home games at Allianz Field, a soccer-specific stadium located in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The stadium is known for its striking design and has become an iconic part of the local landscape since its opening in April 2019.
Allianz Field has a seating capacity of approximately 19,400 spectators, with the ability to expand for certain events. The stadium was designed with a focus on creating a vibrant and intimate atmosphere for soccer fans, ensuring that spectators are close to the action on the field. Its most distinctive feature is the exterior, which is covered in PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) mesh, giving it a unique, cloud-like appearance that glows with different colors at night, reflecting the team’s colors and enhancing the matchday atmosphere.
The stadium also features a continuous, 360-degree concourse, allowing fans to walk around the entire stadium without missing any action on the field. The “Wonderwall,” a steep, standing-room-only section located at the south end of the stadium, is where the most passionate supporters gather to cheer on the team. This section creates a lively and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, contributing to the home-field advantage for Minnesota United.
Sustainability was a key consideration in the design and construction of Allianz Field. The stadium includes environmentally friendly features such as rainwater collection and recycling systems, energy-efficient lighting, and other green initiatives.
In addition to hosting Minnesota United FC matches, Allianz Field has been used for various other events, including international soccer matches, concerts, and community events, making it a multipurpose venue that contributes to the cultural and sporting landscape of Minnesota.
Minnesota United Club Culture
Minnesota United FC’s club culture is deeply rooted in the community and the unique identity of Minnesota. The culture is characterized by inclusivity, passion for soccer, and a strong sense of belonging among fans and residents of the state.
Community and Inclusivity: Minnesota United emphasizes inclusivity, welcoming fans from all backgrounds and walks of life. This approach is reflected in the team’s events, community programs, and the atmosphere at Allianz Field. The club has various supporter groups, each with its unique identity but united by their love for the team and the sport. These groups are known for their energetic support during matches, community engagement, and charitable activities.
Supporter Groups and the “Wonderwall”: The most visible aspect of Minnesota United’s club culture is its vibrant supporter culture. The “Wonderwall” – the standing supporter section at Allianz Field – is the heart of this culture. Named after the song “Wonderwall” by Oasis, which has become an anthem for the team, this section is known for its loud, passionate support, including singing, chanting, and drumming throughout the matches. This creates an intimidating atmosphere for opponents and a unifying experience for Minnesota fans.
Connection to Minnesota: The club strongly identifies with Minnesota’s cultural and natural elements, which is reflected in the team’s branding, the loon mascot, and the use of the North Star motif. The team’s commitment to representing Minnesota is evident in its community outreach, environmental initiatives, and the celebration of local traditions and events.
Youth Development and Community Engagement: Minnesota United is committed to growing soccer at all levels in the region. This includes investing in youth development programs, soccer camps, and clinics that aim to nurture local talent and increase access to the sport. The club’s efforts to engage with the community extend beyond soccer, involving partnerships with local organizations, schools, and charitable initiatives.
Matchday Experience: Matchdays at Allianz Field are designed to offer a unique and memorable experience for fans. From tailgating and fan activities outside the stadium to the electric atmosphere inside, matchdays are a celebration of soccer and community. The club works to ensure that each game is an event where fans can come together to support their team, enjoy soccer, and feel a part of the Minnesota United family.
Cultural Impact: Beyond the pitch, Minnesota United has become a part of the cultural fabric of Minnesota. The club’s presence has increased the popularity of soccer in the state, brought diverse communities together, and contributed to the local economy and cultural scene.
Overall, Minnesota United FC’s club culture is a reflection of its commitment to community, inclusivity, and the unique identity of Minnesota. The passionate support of its fans, combined with the club’s efforts to engage with and give back to the community, has created a strong and positive club culture.
Minnesota United Home City
Minnesota United FC is based in Saint Paul, which, along with Minneapolis, forms the “Twin Cities” metropolitan area in the state of Minnesota. Saint Paul serves as the state capital and is the second-most populous city in Minnesota after Minneapolis. The city holds a rich cultural and historical significance, offering a mix of urban living, natural beauty, and vibrant communities.
Geography and Climate: Saint Paul is situated on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, featuring a mix of urban areas and natural landscapes, including lakes, parks, and riverfronts. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, reflecting the typical Midwestern climate.
Culture and Community: Saint Paul is known for its diverse cultural makeup, with strong communities of Hmong, Somali, Mexican, and other immigrant groups, contributing to a rich multicultural tapestry. This diversity is reflected in the city’s food, festivals, and arts scene. The city celebrates its cultural heritage through various events and institutions, such as the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and the Hmong New Year celebration.
Economy and Education: The economy of Saint Paul is diversified, with major sectors including healthcare, education, government services, and manufacturing. The city is home to several higher education institutions, such as the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University, contributing to its vibrant academic atmosphere.
Arts and Entertainment: Saint Paul boasts a lively arts and entertainment scene, with numerous theaters, galleries, and music venues. The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the Fitzgerald Theater are notable venues that host a range of performances, from opera to concerts to Broadway shows. The city’s downtown area, particularly around Rice Park and Lowertown, is known for its lively arts scene and historical significance.
Parks and Recreation: The city offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation, with its many parks, trails, and lakes. Como Park, with its zoo and conservatory, is a popular destination for families and nature lovers. The extensive network of bike trails and green spaces along the Mississippi River provides residents and visitors with scenic routes for biking, walking, and exploring the natural surroundings.
Sports and Community: While Minnesota United FC brings soccer to the forefront in Saint Paul, the city is also passionate about other sports. It is home to the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League, playing at the Xcel Energy Center. The sporting events and teams in Saint Paul bring together communities and foster a strong sense of local pride.
Overall, Saint Paul offers a blend of urban and natural environments, cultural diversity, educational opportunities, and a strong sense of community. As the home city of Minnesota United FC, it provides a supportive and vibrant backdrop for the team and its fans.
Explore More Clubs
CREATE A FREE RECRUITMENT PROFILE
Click the ‘LEARN MORE’ button below to take your career to the next level and create a fcscout.com recruitment portfolio to help clubs, coaches, agents, and scouts easily find you. For a limited time, we are offering this service for free!