Anticipation always surrounds a home opener each year, and its even greater when it marks the debut of a soccer-specific stadium.
Minnesota United experienced exactly that one year ago today, back when they hosted New York City FC on April 13, 2019 to mark the unveiling of Allianz Field. The Loons’ faithful had to wait until later that month to first witness three points, but the NYCFC clash was nonetheless electric.
It was a six-goal thriller that saw five goals traded within a 19-minute span in the first half, before NYCFC winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi made it 3-3 with his second half strike. And in typical Minnesota fashion, there was snow on the ground.
For a behind-the-scenes look at all that Allianz Field includes, check out the behind-the-scenes tour with MLSsoccer.com's Jillian Sakovits below.
On and off the field, the 2019 MLS season marked a massive step forward for Minnesota since entering as an expansion club three years prior. But the opening of Allianz Field was massive, especially after the Loons spent their two seasons at TCF Bank Stadium.
Allianz Field didn’t have to wait long for postseason soccer, either. Minnesota hosted a 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs quarterfinal game against the LA Galaxy, albeit ultimately falling to the Galaxy and finishing 13-2-6 at home in all 2019 competitions.
