Minneapolis City SC

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, 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.[4]

Minneapolis City SC
Full nameMinneapolis City Soccer Club
Nickname(s)The Crows[1]
Founded2016 (2016)
StadiumEdor Nelson Field, Augsburg University[2]
Capacity1,500[3]
ChairmanAdam Pribyl
Head coachCarl Craig
LeagueUSL League Two
20236th, Deep North Division
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

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.[5][6]

In their inaugural 2016 season in the Premier League of America,[7] the team finished at three wins, four draws and three losses, good for third place in the league's West Division.[8] Their first competitive game was a scoreless draw against Bavarian SC in Milwaukee.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

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[12]

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.[13]

In 2018, Minneapolis City SC clinched the NPSL North Conference title[14] 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.[15]

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,[16] 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.[17]

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".[18][19]

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.[20]

Supporters

Minneapolis City is a well-supported club at its level,[21] and the Citizens supporter's group is a large reason why.[22][23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

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. [26]

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.[27] 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".[28]

Starting in 2022, Stillwater-based St. Croix SC joined USL League Two and the Twin Cities Derby commenced.[29] Tightly contested on the field, the derby hasn't yet acquired broader significance or traction with supporters.

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 October 2, 2023.[30]

No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Evan Siefken  United States
2 DF Andrew Soczynski  United States
3 DF Miles Akhigbe  United States
4 DF Jonah Garcia  United States
5 DF Wes Lorrens  United States
6 MF Luca Contestabile  United States
7 FW Steevie Lamarre  Haiti
8 MF Jameson Charles  Haiti
9 FW Hakeem Morgan  Costa Rica
10 FW Eli Goldman  United States
11 MF Victor Gaulmin  France
12 MF Aidan O'Driscoll  United States
13 GK Ayuub Ahmed  United States
14 FW Zach Susee  United States
15 DF Cullan Connaker  United States
16 MF Griffin Gyurci  United States
17 DF Darley Florvil  United States
18 DF Damon Humphrey  United States
19 FW Clemente Arcuch-Puig  Chile
20 MF Baraka Tarleton  United States
21 MF Shea Bechtel  United States
22 DF Curtis Wagner  United States
24 DF James Gardev  United States
25 FW Dennis Mensah  United States
28 DF Carson Pina  United States
32 FW Joe Highfield  United States
33 GK Kaelen Matacastillo  United States
61 GK Gabe Kuffel  United States

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), and Rory O'Driscoll (Nashville SC).

Minneapolis City players who went on to play at professional level include Brandon Bye (New England Revolution), Luke Haakenson (Nashville SC), Loic Mesanvi (Minnesota United 2), Scotty Heinen (Germania Eicherscheid), Matt Gibbons (Germania Eicherscheid), Ian Smith (Oppsal IF), Jakop Popkin (AC Syracuse Pulse), Mitch Wolff (Stumptown FC), Juan Louis (AC Syracuse Pulse), Abbai Habte (Nordvärmlands FF), 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.

Technical staff
  • England Carl Craig – Head Coach
  • United States Peter Rivard – Assistant Coach
  • United States Tom Kleczewski – Assistant Coach
  • United States John Pucci – Goalkeeper Coach
  • United States Matt vanBenschoten - General Manager
  • United States Adam Pribyl – Sporting Strategy

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[31]
2018 4 NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) 10 4 0 1st Midwest semifinal 3rd qualifying round[32][33]
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[34]
2022 4 NPSL (Midwest Region, North Conference) 7 1 6 4th Did not qualify 1st round
4 USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division) 1 2 9 6th Did not qualify Did not qualify
2023 4 USL2 (Central Conference, Deep North Division) 3 3 6 6th Did not qualify Did not qualify

Historic record vs opponents

[35][36]

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 0-0-2 0-0-1 0–0–1 N/A L 1-4
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 6–2–4 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 Manitoba 2-0-2 0-0-0 0–0–0 W 2-1 L 1-4
FC Minneapolis 0-0-0 0-0-0 1–0–0 W 4-1 N/A
Joy Athletic Club 3–0–1 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 2-0 L 2-3
LaCrosse Aris FC 9–1–0 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 6–1–4 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 2-0 L 1-5
Milwaukee Bavarians 1–2–1 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 1-0 L 0-2
Minnesota TwinStars 3–1–4 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 1-0 L 0-2
Minnesota United Reserves 1–1–1 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 3-0 L 0-1
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
Peoria City 0-1-2 0–0–0 0-0-0 N/A L 0-2
RKC Third Coast 0-0-2 0–0–0 0-0-0 N/A L 3-5
Rochester FC 0-1-1 0–0–0 0-0-0 N/A L 1-5
Rochester Lancers 0-0-0 0–0–1 0-0-0 N/A L 1-2
St. Croix Legends 1-1–3 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 2-1 L 1-2
Sioux Falls Thunder 9–1–0 0-0-0 0-0-0 W 6-1 N/A
Thunder Bay Chill 0-1-3 0–0–0 0-0-0 N/A L 1-3
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

*Team folded

Honors
  • NPSL North Conference Champions (3): 2018, 2019, 2021[37][38][39]

References
  1. "minneapolis City SC". Premier League of America. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  2. "CITY MOVE TO THE WEST BANK".
  3. "Minneapolis – City By Nature". Minneapolis Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  4. "Thousands of crows roost nightly near downtown Mpls". February 4, 2014.
  5. Marthaler, Jon (February 12, 2016). "Soccer Insider: Minneapolis City seeks to fill the void left by United". Star Tribune.
  6. "Punk Rock Soccer: An Interview With Dan Hoedeman of Minneapolis City SC". American Pyramid Blog. February 6, 2016.
  7. "SSC Minneapolis City Joins PLA". pla-soccer.com. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  8. "West Division – 2016". Premier League of America. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  9. "Minneapolis City Draws in Debut: Bavarians 0, Crows 0". Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  10. "Crows 2, Eagles 1: Minneapolis City Grinds Out Victory in Home Debut – FiftyFive.One". May 28, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  11. "Minneapolis City 2, Oakland County 1: Crows Extra-Time Winners in Open Cup Debut – FiftyFive.One". October 23, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  12. "Minneapolis City SC Joins the NPSL" (Press release). National Premier Soccer League. December 14, 2016.
  13. "Minneapolis City SC Disqualified From U.S. Open Cup – FiftyFive.One". February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  14. "Soccer: Marthaler's Short Takes – Star Tribune". July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  15. "Minneapolis City Hands Duluth FC 1st Home Loss". CBS Duluth. July 7, 2019.
  16. "NPSL North Round Up Week 11". epluribusloonum.com. E Pluribus Loonum. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  17. "Crows Join USL League Two for 2022 Season". mplscitysc.com. Minneapolis City SC. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  18. "The 'ramshackle', DIY soccer club bringing a new sense of fun to the pitch". July 6, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  19. "Why Players Pick Minneapolis City SC – FiftyFive.One". January 23, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  20. "A Logo Design from Scratch: The L.A. Soccer Team's Mark – How Design". March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  21. Terada, Souichi (July 5, 2019). "Minneapolis City soccer club fills niche between college, pro levels". Star Tribune.
  22. Norling, Ashle (May 13, 2017). "Meet Minneapolis City SC". E Pluribus Loonum.
  23. "Taking Attendance: The NPSL". November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  24. "Northern Exposure: Minneapolis City Sc". May 8, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  25. "Old MASL website". Minnesota Amateur Soccer League.
  26. "Futures". Minneapolis City SC - Uncorporate Soccer. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  27. "BlueGreens Best Crows in Budding Rivalry". June 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  28. "Technical Difficulties: And NPSL North Drama". May 22, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  29. "St Croix Legends Are Off The Blocks". May 28, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  30. "The Team". Mpls City SC. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  31. "Minneapolis City Out of U.S. Open Cup". Minneapolis City SC. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  32. 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.
  33. "Minneapolis City out of Open Cup as Stegman's fall to Rochester RiverDogz". FiftyFive.One. November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  34. "Open Cup Committee Determines 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Will Not Be Held This Spring". U.S. Soccer Federation. April 16, 2021.
  35. "Minneapolis City Schedule & Results". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  36. "Minneapolis City SC". August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  37. "Minneapolis City SC Defeats Duluth FC 4-2 to Claim North Conference Title". National Premier Soccer League. July 2, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  38. "National Premier Soccer League". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  39. Norling, Ashle (July 15, 2021). "NPSL North Round Up: Weeks 8-10". E Pluribus Loonum. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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