Minnesota United to join MLS from 2017

Minnesota United will become the MLS’ 22nd franchise for the 2017 season, with the team set to call the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium as its temporary home.

The team were first granted an expansion invitation in March 2015. The confirmation of the award of the licence means Minnesota United will step up from the second-tier North American Soccer League (NASL) to join Atlanta United as a new team in 2017.

It plans to build a soccer specific home in St. Paul, they have received approval from St. Paul City Council for its privately-financed stadium plan and now will look for approval from the Minnesota legislature on a property tax exemption before beginning construction. The 21,500-seat stadium is expected to cost around $150m, opening in 2018.

Former UnitedHealth chief executive Bill McGuire, owns the team, buying them in 2013. Jim Pohlad, owner of Major League Baseball (MLB) team the Minnesota Twins, and Glen Taylor, who controls NBA basketball franchise the Minnesota Timberwolves, are also part of the ownership group.