Minnesota United FC will open its 2018 season March 3 at San Jose before returning home to play Chicago Fire on March 17.
Minnesota United opens 2018 at San Jose
The games were announced Tuesday by the Loons. Kickoff time for the San Jose match is 9:30 p.m. Central. The time for the St. Patrick's Day home match at TCF Bank Stadium was not announced. A complete schedule for 2018 will be released later.
The Loons played Aug. 26 at Chicago and secured the club's first road victory in a 2-1 victory.
The home opener will be the first for Chris Wright in his role as Minnesota United's chief executive officer. "With the increase in our season ticket base, I am expecting us to pick up where we left off last season and create an incredible atmosphere at TCF Bank Stadium,'' Wright said. "We want this match to set the tone for the season."
Minnesota United will also visit the Portland Timbers for their home opener on April 14, when the Timbers unveil the expansion of Providence Park.
After playing its second MLS season in TCF Bank Stadium in 2018, the team will move to its under-construction Allianz Field in St. Paul.
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• Northland Community and Technical College receiver Mark Williams was named NJCAA All-America first team, after he had 99 receptions for 1,323 yards this season.
Rochester Community and Technical College linebacker Brandon Perce, who averaged 14 tackles per game, was named to the second team.
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Gophers coach Ben Johnson and players spoke at Big Ten media day about building on the atmosphere at Williams Arena last season that helped them get 16 home wins.