Minneapolis City SC
ClubnameMinneapolis City SC
FullnameMinneapolis City Soccer Club
Founded2016 (age 10)
StadiumEdor Nelson Field, Augsburg University[1]
Capacity1,500[2]
ChrtitleChairman
ChairmanAdam Pribyl
MgrtitleHead coach
ManagerJon Forsythe
LeagueUSL League Two
Season2025
Position1st, Heartland Division
Playoffs: Conference Final
Websitemplscitysc.com
Americantrue
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Pattern sh 1_19_home_mpls_city
Pattern so 1_19_home_mpls_city
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Body 1FFF
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Shorts 1FFF
Socks 1FFF
Pattern la 2_19_away_mpls_city
Pattern b 2_19_away_mpls_city
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Pattern so 2_19_away_mpls_city
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Minneapolis City Soccer Club (known informally as Mpls City SC or The Crows) is an American soccer club based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 2016, the team plays in the USL League Two, the top national league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The club won three straight NPSL North Conference championships (2018, 2019 and 2021) before joining League Two. Their nickname is The Crows, coined by the club's supporters, which comes from the "Mega Murder" of crows that roost in Minneapolis.[3]

History

Founded in 2016 as an offshoot of Stegman's Soccer Club, team managing director Dan Hoedeman stated that his goal with the team is to re-create the local feeling of the Minnesota Thunder's early days. As such, every player is a Minnesota resident and the team is owned by "members" who make important decisions for the team, such as the league, colors, logo and budget.[4][5]

In their inaugural 2016 season in the Premier League of America,[6] the team finished at three wins, four draws and three losses, good for third place in the league's West Division.[7] Their first competitive game was a scoreless draw against Bavarian SC in Milwaukee.[8] The club's first goal was scored by Matthew Gweh in their first home match, a 2–1 win over Croatian Eagles at Les Barnard Field.[9]

That October, they would win their first qualifying match for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating league-mates Oakland County FC by a score of 2–1 in extra time.[10]

In 2017 Minneapolis City SC announced it was joining the National Premier Soccer League. The team was a member of the North Conference in the Midwest Region[11] from 2017 to 2022.

With the win over Oakland County FC, Minneapolis City became the first amateur team from Minnesota to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup proper, but were disqualified from the tournament for switching leagues.[12]

In 2018, Minneapolis City SC clinched the NPSL North Conference title[13] while going undefeated in conference play, one of only five teams in the NPSL to remain unbeaten in the regular season. Additionally, the Crows were the top offensive team in the entire league with 46 goals scored.

They followed that up with the 2019 NPSL North Conference title. Interestingly, after beating Duluth FC 4–2 in the second-to-last match of the season to clinch the 2018 title, the Crows went to Duluth and beat them 4–2 in the second-to-last match of the season to clinch the 2019 title as well.[14]

The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID so it took until 2021 for the Crows to win their third-straight NPSL North Conference title,[15] which they did in style by beating rival Duluth FC 6–1 in Duluth to secure the title with two games still to play. It was the third season in a row that the Crows beat Duluth to win the conference. In the playoffs, the Crows went on to the Midwest Region Final where they fell to Cleveland SC 2–0.

In September 2021, the team announced that it would join USL League Two for the 2022 season.[16]

After a difficult first few years in USL League Two, Minneapolis City found success in 2025. The Crows won the Heartland Division, beating Sueno FC 4–2 to pip the Chicago side to the title on goal difference. City then went on a playoff run, beating Peoria City and Sueno again, before eventually losing to Flint City Bucks in the Midwest Conference Final at Interbay Stadium in Seattle.[17] The next day, the Crows' second team won the Minnesota Super Cup in St. Paul by defeating old NPSL rival Duluth FC 2 - 0 in the final.[18]

Club culture

Called a "ramshackle, DIY soccer club" by The Growler, and not unfairly as the club has embraced that ethos both as a way to harken back to the original days of pro soccer in Minnesota and as a way to create a "people-driven alternative to corporate pro sports".[19][20]

Minneapolis City launched a "throwback" style logo and kit before ever playing a game. The kit and logo were designed by designer Matthew Wolff, from Minneapolis, whose credits include the branding for Los Angeles FC, New York City FC, and others.[21]

Supporters

Minneapolis City is a well-supported club at its level,[22] in large part because of the Citizens supporter's group.[23][24]

The Citizens are known for organizing tifos and for their in-game heckling during Crows games.[25]

Affiliates

Stegman's Soccer Club is an amateur soccer club based in Minneapolis. The club fields five competitive amateur men's teams across the two major summer leagues in Minneapolis-St Paul: Stegman's 1977, Stegman's Old Boys, and Stegman's Athletic in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL), Stegman's United and Stegman's Blues in the Minnesota Recreational Soccer League (MRSL), and various small-sided teams in various other leagues throughout the year.[26]

In 2021, Minneapolis City created the Minneapolis City Futures Program, a supplementary training program for local players under the age of 20, to bridge the gap between youth and adult soccer in the area.[27] In 2024, the Futures Program expanded to include both a U-21 and a U-19 team. The U-19 team were the 2024 UPSL Division 1 champions.[28]

Rivalries

Though not technically a derby, matches between Minneapolis City SC and Duluth FC are important to supporters and, while City was in the NPSL, were important to the conference title race.[29] The famous 'donkey tifo' of 2017 helped give Duluth FC the nickname "The Donkeys."

The City-Suburbs Derby was contested over the years with Minnesota TwinStars, who typically play in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. As with any local derby, the games were hotly contested and rife with chicanery and "technical difficulties".[30]

Starting in 2022, Stillwater-based St. Croix SC joined USL League Two and the Twin Cities Derby commenced.[31] Tightly contested on the field, the derby hasn't yet acquired broader significance or traction with supporters.

Players

Notable players

Minneapolis City players who have been drafted in the MLS SuperDraft include Brandon Bye (New England Revolution), Luke Haakenson (Nashville SC), Xavier Zengue (Columbus Crew), Herbert Endeley (FC Dallas), Rory O'Driscoll (Nashville SC), and Joe Highfield (Houston Dynamo).

Minneapolis City players who went on to play at professional level include Brandon Bye (New England Revolution), Luke Haakenson (Nashville SC), Herbert Endeley (FC Dallas), Loïc Mesanvi (Minnesota United), Rory O'Driscoll (Las Vegas Lights), Xavier Zengue (Lexington SC), Scotty Heinen (Germania Eicherscheid), Matt Gibbons (Germania Eicherscheid), Ian Smith (Oppsal IF), Jakob Popkin (AC Syracuse Pulse), Mitch Wolff (Stumptown FC), Juan Louis (Chattanooga FC), Abbai Habte (Nordvärmlands FF), Miles Stockman-Willis (Vrigstad IF), Andy Lorei (San Diego Sockers), and Jake Swallen (Sporting Kansas City II).

Additionally, former Minnesota United player Brian Kallman turned out for the Crows in the 2017 season.

Technical staff

  • Jon Forsythe – Head Coach
  • Mark Yueill – Associate Head Coach
  • Martin Sanchez – Goalkeeper Coach
  • Casey Holm - Sporting Director
  • Matt vanBenschoten - General Manager

Statistics

Season-by-season

SeasonDivisionLeagueWinsDrawLossesRegular seasonPlayoffsOpen Cup
20164PLA (Western Conference)3433rdDid not qualifyDid not enter
20174NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)8153rdDid not qualify1st Round, Disqualified[32]
20184NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)10401stMidwest semifinal3rd qualifying round[33][34]
20194NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)9121stMidwest semifinalDid not enter
20204NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)---cancelledcancelledQualified, cancelled
20214NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)11011stMidwest finalQualified, cancelled[35]
20224NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference)7164thDid not qualify1st round
4USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division)1296thDid not qualify1st round
20234USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division)3366thDid not qualifyDid not qualify
4Minnesota Super Cup102Semifinal
20244USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division)5076thDid not qualifyDid not qualify
4Minnesota Super Cup201Final
20254USL2 (Central Conference, Heartland Division)10231stConference finalTBD
4Minnesota Super Cup220Champions

Historic record vs opponents

[36][37]

OpponentLeague Record (W-D-L)Open Cup Record (W-D-L)Friendly Record (W-D-L)Biggest VictoryBiggest Defeat
Aurora Borealis*0-0-01–0–00-0-0W 3–2N/A
Cedar Rapids Rampage United*0–1–10-0-00-0-0N/AL 2–4
Carpathia FC1–0–00-0-00-0-0W 3–0N/A
Chicago City Dutch Lions2–0–00-0-00-0-0W 4–0N/A
Cleveland SC0–0–10-0-00-0-0N/AL 0–2
Croatian Eagles1–0–10-0-00-0-0W 2–1L 0–1
Dakota Fusion7–0–10-0-00-0-0W 8–0L 2–3
Des Moines Menace0-0-20-0-10–0–1N/AL 1–4
Des Moines Wanderers*0-0-00-0-00–1–0N/AN/A
Detroit City FC0-0-10-0-00–0–0N/AL 0–2
Duluth FC7–2–40-0-00-0-0W 6–1L 1–2
FC Fargo*0-0-00-0-01–0–0W 6–0N/A
FC Manitoba2-0-20-0-00–0–0W 2–1L 1–4
FC Minneapolis0-0-00-0-01–0–0W 4–1N/A
Flint City Bucks0-0-10-0-00–0–0N/AL 1–2
Joy Athletic Club3–0–10-0-00-0-0W 2–0L 2–3
LaCrosse Aris FC*9–1–00-0-00-0-0W 8–0N/A
Madison 56ers*1–1–00-0-00-0-0W 3–2N/A
Rochester Med City FC*6–1–50-0-00-0-0W 2–0L 1–5
Milwaukee Bavarians1–2–40-0-00-0-0W 1–0L 0–2
Minnesota TwinStars3–1–40-0-00-0-0W 1–0L 0–2
Minnesota United Reserves2–2–10-0-00-0-0W 5–1L 0–1
Bugeaters FC*0–0–00-0-01-0-0W 3–2N/A
Oakland County FC0-0-01–0–00-0-0W 2–1N/A
Peoria City1-1-20–0–00-0-0W 2-2 (Pen)L 0–2
River Light FC1-1-00–0–00-0-0W 5–1N/A
RKC Third Coast0-5-20–0–00-0-0N/AL 3–5
Rochester FC5-1-10–0–00-0-0W 2–0L 1–5
Rochester Lancers0-0-00–0–10-0-0N/AL 1–2
St. Croix Legends4-1-50-0-00-0-0W 2–0L 1–2
Sioux Falls Thunder9-1-00-0-00-0-0W 6–1N/A
Sueno FC2-0-10-0-00-0-0W 4–2L 2–3
Thunder Bay Chill2-1-40–0–00-0-0W 2–1L 1–3
Union Dubuque FC*0–0–00-0-01-0-0W 7–0N/A
Viejos son los Trapos FC*4–0–00-0-00-0-0W 5–1N/A

*Team folded

Honors

  • NPSL North Conference Champions (3): 2018, 2019, 2021[38][39][40]
  • NPSL Regular Season Champions (1): 2021[41]
  • USL League 2 Heartland Division Champions (1): 2025
  • Minnesota Super Cup Champions (1): 2025

References

  1. ^ "CITY MOVE TO THE WEST BANK"
  2. ^ "Minneapolis – City By Nature". Minneapolis Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  3. ^ "Thousands of crows roost nightly near downtown Mpls.". February 4, 2014.
  4. ^ Marthaler, Jon (February 12, 2016). "Soccer Insider: Minneapolis City seeks to fill the void left by United". Star Tribune
  5. ^ "Punk Rock Soccer: An Interview With Dan Hoedeman of Minneapolis City SC". American Pyramid Blog. February 6, 2016.
  6. ^ "SSC Minneapolis City Joins PLA". pla-soccer.com. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "West Division – 2016". Premier League of America. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Minneapolis City Draws in Debut: Bavarians 0, Crows 0". May 22, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  9. ^ "Crows 2, Eagles 1: Minneapolis City Grinds Out Victory in Home Debut – FiftyFive.One". May 28, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  10. ^ "Minneapolis City 2, Oakland County 1: Crows Extra-Time Winners in Open Cup Debut – FiftyFive.One". October 23, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  11. ^ "Minneapolis City SC Joins the NPSL". National Premier Soccer League. December 14, 2016.
  12. ^ "Minneapolis City SC Disqualified From U.S. Open Cup – FiftyFive.One". February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  13. ^ "Soccer: Marthaler's Short Takes – Star Tribune". Star Tribune. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "Minneapolis City Hands Duluth FC 1st Home Loss". CBS Duluth. July 7, 2019.
  15. ^ "NPSL North Round Up Week 11". epluribusloonum.com. E Pluribus Loonum. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "Crows Join USL League Two for 2022 Season". mplscitysc.com. Minneapolis City SC. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "USL League Two National Semifinals set for Sunday". USL League Two. July 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "Minnesota Super Cup Men's Schedule". USL League Two. July 26, 2025.
  19. ^ "The 'ramshackle', DIY soccer club bringing a new sense of fun to the pitch". July 6, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  20. ^ "Why Players Pick Minneapolis City SC – FiftyFive.One". January 23, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  21. ^ "A Logo Design from Scratch: The L.A. Soccer Team's Mark – How Design". March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  22. ^ Terada, Souichi (July 5, 2019). "Minneapolis City soccer club fills niche between college, pro levels". Star Tribune
  23. ^ Norling, Ashle (May 13, 2017). "Meet Minneapolis City SC". E Pluribus Loonum
  24. ^ "Taking Attendance: The NPSL". November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  25. ^ "Northern Exposure: Minneapolis City Sc". May 8, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  26. ^ "Old MASL website". Minnesota Amateur Soccer League
  27. ^ "Futures". Minneapolis City SC - Uncorporate Soccer. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  28. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  29. ^ "BlueGreens Best Crows in Budding Rivalry". June 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  30. ^ "Technical Difficulties: And NPSL North Drama". May 22, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  31. ^ "St Croix Legends Are Off The Blocks". May 28, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  32. ^ "Minneapolis City Out of U.S. Open Cup". Minneapolis City SC. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  33. ^ Rueter, Jeff (May 24, 2018). "$10,000 flights and personal credit: How the US Open Cup cripples smaller clubs". The Guardian. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "Minneapolis City out of Open Cup as Stegman's fall to Rochester RiverDogz". FiftyFive.One. November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "Open Cup Committee Determines 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Will Not Be Held This Spring". U.S. Soccer Federation. April 16, 2021.
  36. ^ "Minneapolis City Schedule & Results". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  37. ^ "Minneapolis City SC". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  38. ^ "Minneapolis City SC Defeats Duluth FC 4-2 to Claim North Conference Title". National Premier Soccer League. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  39. ^ "National Premier Soccer League". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  40. ^ Norling, Ashle (2021-07-15). "NPSL North Round Up: Weeks 8-10". E Pluribus Loonum. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  41. ^ Norling, Ashle (2021-07-15). "NPSL North Round Up: Weeks 8-10". E Pluribus Loonum. Retrieved 2022-01-21.