Minnesota United has created ways to celebrate its 10th MLS season in 2026.
For instance, the Loons will host a big celebration match on Aug. 19 against Atlanta United — the club’s expansion cousin in 2017. It will be a reunion of former players, coaches and leaders instrumental in the club’s start. It will coincide with honoring the 50th anniversary of professional soccer in Minnesota.
That’s an obvious way to doff a cap, but MNUFC’s marketing department wanted to find other unique ways to commemorate its milestone. One idea centered on the old-school “View-Master” toy that allows someone to click through reels of 3-D images. The club brought it to fruition and packaged it with one reel honoring each season, seven images per year.
“Some moments were easy — first home game, launching of (Allianz Field), major signings and wins,” Katie Burke, United’s senior director of merchandise and licensing, told the Pioneer Press in an email. “The rest were selected based on fan-favorite player moments, special moments like Make-A-Wish games, or cultural moments, like our first full-stadium game (after the COVID-19 pandemic).”
The selection process was done by a committee of long-time club employees across in the marketing and communications departments. Once the moments were picked, a wider group of staff were polled on which photos to use.
“It was a fun walk down memory lane for those of us that have been here a long time,” Burke wrote.
Some media members received images during the introductory news conference for new star midfielder James Rodriguez on Feb. 6, but the club did not widely produce them, so it’s an instant collectors item.
Here’s what the club decided were the top moments from each year:
2017
1. First MLS home game at TCF Bank Stadium on March 12, which fondly became known as the “snow-opener.” The Loons lost to Atlanta, 6-1 loss.
2. First MLS win, 4-2 over Real Salt Lake at home on April 1. The Loons were 0-3-1 in their first four games, with six goals scored and 18 allowed.
3-4. Christian Ramirez’s goal against RSL and Miguel Ibarra attacks against Houston on July 19. Ramirez and Ibarra were affectionately nicknamed Superman and Batman during club’s pre-MLS era.
Minnesota United striker Christian Ramirez celebrates the first of his two goals in the Loons’ 4-2 win over Real Salt Lake at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 1, 2017. Courtesy of Ryan Siverson / Minnesota United FC.
5. Michael Boxall’s Minnesota debut vs. New York Red Bulls on July 22. The Loons’ current captain holds the club record with 277 appearances.
6. Ibson corrals the ball against D.C. United on July 29. Some club employees still consider the one-named Brazilian to be the most-technical player to wear a Loons shirt.
7. The first column is set at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Nov. 11.
2018
1, Darwin Quintero’s introduction in St. Paul on March 30. The Colombian served as the club’s first Designated Player.
2. Collin Martin interviewed at Loons’ Pride Game on June 29. The midfielder came out before the match.
3. Quintero celebrates one of his goals during a hat trick against Toronto on July 4. It was the club record until 2024.
4. International friendly against Costa Rican club Saprissa. Then-Loons captain Francisco Calvo played for for Saprissa before joining Minnesota.
5. The “Allianz Field” sign is installed on the Interstate 94 side of the stadium on Sept. 19.
6. MNUFC set a “50K to Midway” goal for its final game on the University of Minnesota campus. The Club announced a crowd of 52,242 for the match against L.A. Galaxy and superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
7. Grass is installed at Allianz Field on Nov. 1.
2019
1. A scarf-raising ceremony at Allianz Field on March 18.
2. First game held in St. Paul on April 13. Ozzie Alonso scored the first goal as MNUFC drew New York City 3-3.
3. United hosts the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 18.
4. The highest-scoring game in club history on July 29: Minnesota 7, FC Cincinnati 1.
5. Goalkeeper Vito Mannone makes a penalty-kick save vs. Dallas on July 13. The Italian would go on to win MLS goalkeeper of the year.
6. Club legend Robin Lod signs July 16.
7. MNUFC plays in U.S. Open Cup final at Atlanta on Aug. 27. The Loons lost 2-1 at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
2020
1. Loons host block party on May 20.
2. The pandemic-delayed home opener, without fans, falls on Aug. 21.
3. Chase Gasper and teammates celebrate his goal vs. RSL on Sept. 6.
4. Kevin Molino goal celebration with Kei Kamara vs. Cincinnati on Oct. 3.
5. Last regular-season home game vs. Colorado on Nov. 22.
6. Loons’ 3-0 playoff win at Kansas City. Molino scored two goals.
7. MNUFC’s Western Conference final appearance on Dec. 7. Bakaye Dibassy scored in 67th minute for a 2-0 lead, but Seattle rallied to win 3-2.
2021
1. Home opener vs. Real Salt Lake on April 24. Loons lost 2-1 as part of four straight defeats to begin the year.
2. First full stadium post-pandemic against Austin FC on June 23. United won 2-0 with an announced crowd of 19,209 in attendance.
3. Fans and Juan Agudelo outstretch arms in shared goal celebration vs. Portland on July 24.
4. Shari Ballard announced as CEO on Aug. 10.
5. Team celebrates goal in win over Philadelphia on Oct. 20.
6. U.S. women’s national team player Carli Lloyd’s retirement party in St. Paul in win over South Korea on Aug. 10.
7. Emanuel Reynoso and Franco Fragapane celebrate a win over Kansas City in home finale on Oct. 31.
Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (97) reacts after the Loons beat the Seattle Sounders in the shootout of a MLS first round playoff match at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The Loons beat Seattle 3-3 (7-6) in a shootout to advance the semi-final round. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
2022
1. Reynoso gives thanks for game-winning goal in a U.S. Open Cup win over Colorado on May 12.
2. Loons host international friendly against German club Paderborn on June 11.
3. Reynoso scores two against Salt Lake on July 3.
4. International friendly against Everton on July 20. Former Loons manager Adrian Heath was on sideline against the English side he started for as a player.
5. Power soccer team honored on July 8.
6. MLS All-Star Game in St. Paul on Aug. 10. Loons goalie Dayne St. Clair was named MVP.
7. Players celebrate in front of Wonderwall after 2-0 win on Decision Day on Oct. 9.
2023
1. Loons ruin St. Louis City’s perfect start April 1. St. Louis was 5-0 before United came to Missouri.
2. International friendly vs. German side FC Kaiserslautern on June 28.
3. Reynoso scores United’s 300th regular-season goal on July 15.
4. Bongi Hlongwane does his funky goal celebration in a Leagues Cup match against Toluca on Aug. 9.
5. Loons beat Toluca 4-2 in penalty kicks in round of 16 match on Aug. 8.
6. Fragapane leaps into the crowd after scoring in a win over New England on Sept. 9.
7. Teemu Pukki sets a new club record with four goals scored in a 5-2 win over L.A. Galaxy on Oct. 7.
Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, in bright green, hugs midfielder Franco Fragapane after Fragapane scored a goal to give the Loons a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Loons midfielder Emanuel Reynoso, left, joins in the celebration, along with blue-clad teenage boys from soccer teams at Sheyenne High School in West Fargo, N.D. (Courtesy of Minnesota United)
2024
1. Players celebrate Eric Ramsay’s first win as head coach, a 2-0 result over LAFC on March 16.
2. Lod sets MNUFC scoring record in win over Portland on May 18. The Finnish midfielder left for Chicago in December 2025 as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 39 goals.
3. Make-A-Wish visitor Carter Lucero scores goal July 17.
4. St. Clair makes 16 saves in win over Necaxa on July 30.
5. Loons win first regular-season game at Kansas City on Sept. 21.
6. United blows out St. Louis City in regular-season finale on Oct. 19.
7. Loons edge Salt Lake in second of two shootout victories over RSL to advance in MLS Cup Playoffs on Nov. 2.
2025
1. MNUFC blows out Inter Miami and superstar Lionel Messi 4-1 on May 10.
2. Minnesota posts first win at Seattle, 3-2, on June 1. MNUFC had lost nine straight in Washington.
3. Tani Oluwaseyi does his “Tani Time” goal celebration after scoring early in a 4-1 win over San Jose on July 12. Oluwaseyi was sold to Spanish club Villarreal for a club-record $9 million in August.
4. United debuts its “Heritage Kit” on July 16. The throwback jersey honors the Minnesota Kicks of the 1970s.
5. Make-A-Wish guest Tommy Schweinitz talks to the team on Aug. 10.
6. Nectar Triantis scores from halfway line against San Diego on Sept. 13.
7. Loons set a club record for regular-season wins (16) in a 3-0 blowout of Kansas City on Oct. 4.
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