Minneapolis City SC
Full name | Minneapolis City Soccer Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Crows[1] | ||
Founded | 2016 | ||
Stadium | Edor Nelson Field, Augsburg University[2] | ||
Capacity | 1,500[3] | ||
Chairman | Dan Hoedeman | ||
Head coach | NPSL: Marco Campoverde USL2: Matt vanBenschoten | ||
League | National Premier Soccer League USL League Two | ||
2021 (NPSL) | 1st, North Conference Playoffs: Regional final | ||
Website | http://www.mplscitysc.com | ||
|
Minneapolis City SC (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 and National Premier Soccer League, both national league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, and are the reigning NPSL North Conference champions. The club won three NPSL North Conference championships (2018, 2019 and 2021). Their nickname is The Crows, coined by the club's supporters, which comes from the "Mega Murder" of crows that roost in Minneapolis.[4] In September 2021, the team announced that it would join USL League Two for the 2022 season.[5]
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.[6][7]
In their inaugural 2016 season in the Premier League of America,[8] the team finished at three wins, four draws and three losses, good for third place in the league's West Division.[9] Their first competitive game was a scoreless draw against Bavarian SC in Milwaukee.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12]
In 2017 Minneapolis City SC announced it was joining the National Premier Soccer League. The team is a member of the North Conference in the Midwest Region[13]
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.[14]
In 2018, Minneapolis City SC clinched the NPSL North Conference title[15] 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.[16]
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".[17][18]
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.[19]
Supporters
Minneapolis City is a well-supported club for the NPSL,[20] and the Citizens supporter's group is a large reason why.[21][22]
Known, especially in the North Conference, for being loud, for their tifo, and for humorous in-game heckling, The Citizens are a staple at Crows games.[23]
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.[24]
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. [25]
Rivalries
The Green Line Derby was contested between Minneapolis City SC and Viejos son los Trapos FC. The two clubs played just 2.5 miles (4.0 km) apart and the name of the rivalry game was coined for the light rail line that connects the two cities.[26]
Another in-town rival for the Crows was Minnesota TwinStars, who play in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. As with any local derby, the games were hotly contested and rife with chicanery and "technical difficulties".[27]
Matches between Minneapolis City SC and Duluth FC are also important to supporters and, typically, to the conference title race.[28] While Crows fans may care more about the local derbies, this remains an important match.
Players
Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of April 3, 2022.[29]
|
Notable players
Minneapolis City players who went on to play at professional level include Brandon Bye (New England Revolution), Luke Haakenson (Nashville SC), Miles Stockman-Willis (Vrigstad IF) and Andy Lorei (San Diego Sockers).
Additionally, former Minnesota United player Brian Kallman turned out for the Crows in the 2017 season.
Coaching staff
- Matt vanBenschoten – USL head coach
- Tori Burnett – USL assistant coach
- Michael Prunty – USL assistant coach
- Marco Campoverde – NPSL head coach
- Seb Dixon – NPSL assistant coach
- Derric Johnson – assistant coach
- Adam Pribyl – technical director
Statistics
Season-by-season
Season | Division | League | Wins | Draw | Losses | Regular season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 4 | PLA (Western Conference) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3rd | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
2017 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | 8 | 1 | 5 | 3rd | Did not qualify | 1st Round, Disqualified[30] |
2018 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1st | Midwest semifinal | 3rd qualifying round[31][32] |
2019 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1st | Midwest semifinal | Did not enter |
2020 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | - | - | - | cancelled | cancelled | Qualified, cancelled |
2021 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1st | Midwest final | qualified, cancelled[33] |
2022 | 4 | NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4th | Did not qualify | 1st round |
2022 | 4 | USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division) | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Historic record vs opponents
Opponent | League Record
(W-D-L) |
Open Cup Record
(W-D-L) |
Friendly Record
(W-D-L) |
Biggest
Victory |
Biggest
Defeat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora Borealis* | 0-0-0 | 1–0–0 | 0-0-0 | W 3–2 | N/A |
Cedar Rapids Rampage United* | 0–1–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | N/A | L 2-4 |
Carpathia FC | 1–0–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 3-0 | N/A |
Cleveland SC | 0–0–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | N/A | L 0-2 |
Croatian Eagles | 1–0–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 2-1 | L 0-1 |
Dakota Fusion | 7–0–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 8-0 | L 2-3 |
Des Moines Menace | 0-0-0 | 0-0-1 | 0–0–1 | N/A | L 2-4 |
Des Moines Wanderers* | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0–1–0 | N/A | N/A |
Detroit City FC | 0-0-1 | 0-0-0 | 0–0–0 | N/A | L 0-2 |
Duluth FC | 4–2–3 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 6-1 | L 1-2 |
FC Fargo* | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1–0–0 | W 6-0 | N/A |
FC Minneapolis | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1–0–0 | W 4-1 | N/A |
Joy Athletic Club | 1–0–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 3-2 | L 2-3 |
LaCrosse Aris FC | 7–1–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 8-0 | N/A |
Madison 56ers* | 1–1–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 3-2 | N/A |
Rochester Med City FC | 6–1–2 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 2-0 | L 1-2 |
Milwaukee Bavarians | 0–1–1 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | N/A | L 0-2 |
Minnesota TwinStars | 3–1–2 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 1-0 | L 0-2 |
Minnesota United Reserves | 1–1–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 3-0 | N/A |
Nebraska Bugeaters | 0–0–0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | W 3-2 | N/A |
Oakland County FC | 0-0-0 | 1–0–0 | 0-0-0 | W 2-1 | N/A |
Rochester Lancers | 0-0-0 | 0–0–1 | 0-0-0 | N/A | L 1-2 |
Sioux Falls Thunder | 7–1–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 6-1 | N/A |
Union Dubuque FC | 0–0–0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | W 7-0 | N/A |
Viejos son los Trapos FC* | 4–0–0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | W 5-1 | N/A |
Total | 41–10–15 | 2-0-2 | 4-1-1 | W 8-0 | L 0-2 |
*Team folded
Honors
- 2017 U.S. Open Cup qualifier[36]
- 2018 NPSL North Conference Champions[37]
- 2018 Minnesota Trophy Winners
- 2019 NPSL North Conference Champions[38]
- 2020 U.S. Open Cup qualifier[39]
- 2021 U.S. Open Cup qualifier[40]
- 2021 NPSL North Conference Champions[41]
- 2021 NPSL Midwest Region runners-up
- 2021 Minnesota Trophy Winners
- 2022 U.S. Open Cup qualifier
References
- ^ "minneapolis City SC". Premier League of America. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ "CITY MOVE TO THE WEST BANK".
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
requires|archive-url=
(help) - ^ "Minneapolis – City By Nature". Minneapolis Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Thousands of crows roost nightly near downtown Mpls". February 4, 2014.
- ^ "Crows Join USL League Two for 2022 Season". mplscitysc.com. Minneapolis City SC. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ Marthaler, Jon (February 12, 2016). "Soccer Insider: Minneapolis City seeks to fill the void left by United". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Punk Rock Soccer: An Interview With Dan Hoedeman of Minneapolis City SC". American Pyramid Blog. February 6, 2016.
- ^ "SSC Minneapolis City Joins PLA". pla-soccer.com. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ "West Division – 2016". Premier League of America. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Draws in Debut: Bavarians 0, Crows 0". Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Crows 2, Eagles 1: Minneapolis City Grinds Out Victory in Home Debut – FiftyFive.One". May 28, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Minneapolis City 2, Oakland County 1: Crows Extra-Time Winners in Open Cup Debut – FiftyFive.One". October 23, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Minneapolis City SC Joins the NPSL" (Press release). National Premier Soccer League. December 14, 2016.
- ^ "Minneapolis City SC Disqualified From U.S. Open Cup – FiftyFive.One". February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Soccer: Marthaler's Short Takes – Star Tribune". July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Hands Duluth FC 1st Home Loss". CBS Duluth. July 7, 2019.
- ^ "The 'ramshackle', DIY soccer club bringing a new sense of fun to the pitch". July 6, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Why Players Pick Minneapolis City SC – FiftyFive.One". January 23, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "A Logo Design from Scratch: The L.A. Soccer Team's Mark – How Design". March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ Terada, Souichi (July 5, 2019). "Minneapolis City soccer club fills niche between college, pro levels". Star Tribune.
- ^ Norling, Ashle (May 13, 2017). "Meet Minneapolis City SC". E Pluribus Loonum.
- ^ "Taking Attendance: The NPSL". November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Northern Exposure: Minneapolis City Sc". May 8, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Old MASL website". Minnesota Amateur Soccer League.
- ^ "Futures". Minneapolis City SC - Uncorporate Soccer. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Win Green Line Derby". June 4, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Technical Difficulties: And NPSL North Drama". May 22, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "BlueGreens Best Crows in Budding Rivalry". June 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "The Team". Mpls City SC. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Out of U.S. Open Cup". Minneapolis City SC. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Minneapolis City out of Open Cup as Stegman's fall to Rochester RiverDogz". FiftyFive.One. November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Open Cup Committee Determines 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Will Not Be Held This Spring". U.S. Soccer Federation. April 16, 2021.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Schedule & Results". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Minneapolis City SC". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Minneapolis City SC Disqualified From U.S. Open Cup". FiftyFive.One. February 7, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Minneapolis City SC Defeats Duluth FC 4-2 to Claim North Conference Title". National Premier Soccer League. July 2, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "National Premier Soccer League". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Results, Schedule". Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "2021 US Open Cup First Round canceled as tournament drops to 16 teams". Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ Norling, Ashle (July 15, 2021). "NPSL North Round Up: Weeks 8-10". E Pluribus Loonum. Retrieved January 21, 2022.