Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson
St. Paul, Minn.

Vikings ready to spend more on stadium to snag pro soccer team

Soccer stadium image
The Minnesota Vikings say they're ready to put millions more into their new stadium to accommodate professional soccer. This rendering depicts what the stadium could look like.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Hoping to land a Major League Soccer franchise in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings say they're ready to put another $3 to $5 million into their new stadium to accommodate professional soccer.

• Listen:Why a pro soccer team makes sense for Minnesota

In a Tuesday night presentation to tourism and business leaders in Minneapolis, team officials offered a shorter version of the pitch they made to Major League Soccer in New York last month, urging the league to consider their location and the amenities they could offer, including large open public spaces nearby and the ability to accommodate more than double a typical crowd for MLS games.

They also showed off a new "house reduction" system meant to curtain off part of the stadium expected to be vacant during the 17 home games MLS teams usually play. The Vikings said they are prepared to pay for those changes and build them into the $1 billion stadium under construction.

The Vikings are vying with another Minnesota contender to host top-level soccer. Minnesota United Football Club owner and former UnitedHealth CEO William McGuire is making a pitch for a team at a new downtown stadium, in partnership with owners of the Twins and Timberwolves.

Major League Soccer is expected to decide on expansion in the first half of next year, but officials haven't made any commitment to Minnesota.

The Vikings take soccer seriously, even if they aren't in the business right now, Vikings executive Steve Poppen said.

Rendering of a stadium entrance
The Minnesota Vikings released this rendering of what a Major League Soccer game might look like as fans enter their stadium.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

"Our owners really looked at this ... this is not a second thought," he said. "We talk a lot about the MLS team being on par with the NFL franchise, and they really are committed to that."

The Vikings' Tuesday night presentation featured two soccer stars with Minnesota connections. Taylor Twellman, a former MLS most valuable player born in Apple Valley, called MLS soccer a "no brainer" for Minneapolis, although he said both the Minnesota United bid and the Vikings bid were viable.

University of Minnesota men's soccer coach Alan Merrick said he wasn't taking sides in the Minnesota rivalry, either. But he also added that he thought that pro soccer's resistance to playing indoors and on artificial turf wasn't a deal killer for the Vikings.

"This isn't a dome. This is a greenhouse. This has got wonderful sightlines. It's got air coming through it if you open up the major doors that they have on the west side. You have an incredible structure that allows you to see the clouds going over the top," Merrick said. "They've thought it out extremely well."

Video: A brief history of Minnesota soccer since 2009