3. Minnesota United FC – Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Capacity: 19,400
Opened: 2019
Pros: Atmosphere, sightlines, original design, soccer-specific, natural surface, covered seating
Cons: Location
Not going to lie. When I first heard that Minnesota United was going to build a new stadium, I automatically assumed it would be somewhere in downtown Minneapolis. Boy was I off base. Located in the suburbs of St. Paul (a suburb to begin with), Allianz is a far cry from their former home in Minneapolis at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. However, in terms of the facility itself, the move is much welcomed. Gone are the uncomfortable seats, football sightlines and turf field, replaced by a distinctly 21st-century design, covered seating, a safe standing supporter section, and a natural surface. The supporter section is uniquely pitched at the maximum angle allowed, meaning that the most ardent supporters of the Loons will be right on top of the action. I’m big on location (as if you couldn’t tell already), so Minnesota loses points there, but this is an amazing ground that will be part of the Minnesota sports landscape for years to come.