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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Celebrates Scarf Raising at Allianz Field

March 18, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MNUFC Celebrates Scarf Raising at Allianz Field
MNUFC Celebrates Scarf Raising at Allianz Field
(Minnesota United FC)

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United today commemorated the grand opening of the privately financed soccer specific stadium, Allianz Field with a Scarf Raising ceremony. Set to open on April 13 for MNUFC's home opener, construction of the stadium in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul is now 100% complete.

On stage for the ceremony, along with MNUFC Managing Partner Bill McGuire, were Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Allianz Life CEO Walter White and special guests MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath, Sporting Director Manny Lagos and MNUFC Defender Brent Kallman.

Allianz Field was designed by Populous of Kansas City, Mo., and built by Mortenson of Minneapolis, Minn. Since the initial unveiling of the stadium renderings, Allianz Field has been widely acclaimed for its innovative modern design and aesthetic beauty, the use of environmentally-sensitive systems and materials, and a focus on fan amenities and the game of soccer. The design is inspired by the natural wonders of Minnesota - including the Northern Lights, great rivers and countless lakes - and features a first-of-its-kind exterior skin made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in conjunction with an extensive LED lighting system to help provide an unequaled sports and entertainment experience for fans and visitors.

The dynamic exterior skin of Allianz Field compliments a 360-degree roof canopy and an open concourse design surrounding a sunken natural grass playing field. The open roof stadium, grass playing surface and exclusive use of LED lighting helps produce a low-energy footprint for the stadium. Water collected from the roof and other surfaces flows into an innovative central stormwater system built by the City of Saint Paul to serve the entire 35-acre development that surrounds the stadium. Indicative of the environmental enhancements that are part of the design of Allianz Field, the 192 mature trees planted around the stadium use the stormwater system for irrigation, and are placed amidst nearly three acres of new public green space and plantings that have been added to the area.

Download the new MNUFC Mobile App and get Minnesota United in the palm of your hand. Stay on top of news, updates, stats, roster information and league standings, plus access and manage your digital tickets starting soon. Available for iPhone and Android devices. Get the app at mnufc.com/app.

SCARF RAISING QUOTE SHEET

MNUFC Managing Partner, Dr. Bill McGuire:

"Allianz Field is stunning. Firstly, it is architecturally beautiful, it fits into the Midway neighborhood and it compliments it in many ways. It is built for the sport of soccer, for the players and most importantly for the fans. To date, nearly $200 million has been put into the local economy and that includes more than $46 million in wages to the incredible craft workers who help build this beautiful stadium. It's notable that this stadium was built with private funds from a group of local owners who truly believe in what this sport and this stadium is all about.

"The stadium also reflects a number of things that are quintessential to our state. You can see the lyrical flow of the stadium which recalls the great Mississippi River, which flows through our state as well as the many rivers, lakes and streams throughout Minnesota. The steel grid reminds us of the strength that is emanated from the iron range. The exterior skin, illuminated at night is a great reminder of the norther lights that illuminate our skies so often. This stadium symbolizes this state, this sport and this community in Minnesota."

Allianz Life CEO Walter White:

"One reason Allianz was so attracted to this project, beyond the unique vision of the ownership group to build this with private money, is the commitment to the Midway neighborhood. And like soccer itself, which is the world's game and the fastest growing sport in the U.S., we've already seen incredible development in this neighborhood. With the economic growth that the stadium will help bring in, the natural evolution of the neighborhood, the diversity and the passion for soccer, we're looking forward to continued growth and community support for years to come."

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter:

"As the mayor of Saint Paul, I spend half of my time asking people to think bigger, I never have that problem with Dr. Bill McGuire."

"This stadium is just the kind of project the city of Saint Paul is really proud to support. It's closely linked to our community and to our vision for our future. This includes the new opportunities for community businesses, both inside and outside the stadium, efforts by Minnesota United to ensure neighbors have access to affordable tickets and the fantastic new green space on the great lawn.

"We, and I think I speak for both our (mine and former Mayor Chris Coleman's) administrations, wanted to work to make sure this was a project that worked for the people and businesses of Saint Paul, so we established hiring and contracting goals for the team to meet while building, working with Mortenson Construction, Allianz Field surpassed these goals. For contracting small and local businesses, for contracting business owned by women and people of color and a historically diverse construction workforce that better reflects our city.

"Allianz Field brings together private funding with our vision of a sustainable, inclusive Saint Paul that truly works for all of us."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey:

"Until recently, Minnesota kids who wanted soccer jerseys needed to wear other states', other clubs' and other countries', and now I see Minnesota United jerseys all over the Twin Cities.

"Soccer is the great connector. When you play a game like this in Allianz Field, but you can also play a game right in your backyard, on the street, in a parking lot on or a stretch of grass at your neighborhood park, that is true connection and we can have it, right here in the Twin Cities. It's a sport where people from a million different backgrounds, ethnicities and mentalities all come together."

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz:

"I've had the privilege of watching my daughter play in three state championships, and to watch what this state does and watch this sport grow, and watch how it embraces and the cultures it brings together, it truly is the great uniter and Minnesota needs to be at the middle of that and Minnesota United has a place in this Minnesota."

"We've got one beautiful stadium, one beautiful game and one beautiful Minnesota."

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan:

"I had a Tino Lettieri poster in my bedroom. So as we talk about that same feeling that I had when I got to meet Tino Lettieri as a little kid, is the same feeling my daughter Siobhan, who just started playing soccer this year, had when she met her hero Collin Martin."

MLS Commissioner Don Garber:

"It is so great to see Major League Soccer, this sport that is rising, be embraced by Mayors, Governors and politicians to really see what a soccer league can do to improve communities. I want thank all the fans, the staff and everyone who was involved for being leaders for soccer in this part of the United States. From the outset Dr. McGuire promised us that stadium would be an icon in the north and that the stadium would be recognized around the world, and he and his team have over delivered. This is going to be one of the great stadiums, not just in the U.S. and Canada but in the world."

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MNUFC Celebrates Scarf Raising at Allianz Field
MNUFC Celebrates Scarf Raising at Allianz Field
   



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