Minnesota United kicks off its first home match in MLS
Soccer fans are ready to celebrate a Minnesota team finally making its big home debut in the major league.
Sunday marks Minnesota United FC's home opener of their inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season. They'll be taking on Atlanta United FC at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
And it's going to be a cold match, with a high of 25 degrees and a winter storm approaching the Twin Cities, according to the National Weather Service. The players have been training in freezing conditions in preparation for the event, SB Nation says, and the players don't seem too concerned.
“A lot of the guys are Scandinavian,” fullback Justin Davis told the blog, “so they know how to deal with it.
Minnesota United tweeted that fans will be allowed to bring blankets to the stadium.
If it does snow, a special neon orange "snow ball" will be used for the match.
Kick off is at 4 p.m. – if you can't make it to the stadium, you can stream it on WatchESPN.
Find the Loons' full 2017 season schedule here and tips about some of the most interesting matches here.
Minnesota United FC Day
In honor of Minnesota United's home opener, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has declared March 12 "Minnesota United FC Day," a news release says.
Downtown Saint Paul’s iconic First National Bank sign will also be lit up in blue tonight in celebration of the team.
“It’s monumental to officially welcome Major League Soccer to Minnesota,” Mayor Coleman said in the release. “The world’s sport has long been a favorite here in Saint Paul and across the state, and I look forward to the day when Minnesota United plays at their new home in the Capital City.”
Coleman "strongly advocated" for a soccer stadium in the city, the release says. The team's home field will be in the Snelling-Midway neighborhood.
