MLS 2017 Schedule: Top 5 Vancouver Whitecaps Matches

#4: First Time in Minnesota

Opponent: Minnesota United FC
Date: Saturday June 24th, 2017
Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Last season:
No matches

Here’s a fun piece of history. Way back in April 2010, the NSC Minnesota Stars entered the second tier of North American soccer as a replacement for the defunct Minnesota Thunder. Their first ever match? A 2-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who were playing their last season at the D2 level.

Seven years later, the Stars have gone through a few name and league changes. Now they enter MLS play as Minnesota United FC. The Whitecaps will pay their first visit to TCF Bank Stadium at the end of June.

Minnesota have gone a different route to Atlanta as an expansion side. With an existing, established fanbase, they haven’t needed to go for flashy signings in quite the same way. It’s difficult to predict what kind of season they’ll have. They still only have 15 players listed in their squad. They also made an interesting choice selecting Abu Danladi over Jeremy Ebobisse with their number one SuperDraft pick.

By the end of June, we should have a better idea of what to expect on the field. But off the field, the opportunity to visit a new stadium filled with fans experiencing their first ever MLS season should not be passed up.