MATCH DETAILS:
Central High School vs. Highland Park High School
St. Paul Cup, presented by Bell Bank
10.06.2023 | Girls' Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. | Boys' Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Allianz Field | St. Paul, MN
Minnesota United, Saint Paul Public Schools and the City of Saint Paul today announced the second-annual Saint Paul Cup, presented by Bell Bank, hosted at Allianz Field on Friday, October 6 featuring Highland Park Senior High School and Saint Paul Central High School.
The Saint Paul Cup, inspired by the Mayor’s Cup, is an annual doubleheader soccer showcase featuring boys and girls varsity soccer teams from the Saint Paul Public Schools district. This year’s matchup featuring Highland Park vs. St. Paul Central will kick off with the girls match at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the boys match kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Gates are set to open at 4:30 p.m. CT. Watch a live stream of the games here.
Media interested in attending the Saint Paul Cup must RSVP to MNUFC Public Relations Coordinator Aaron Tomich (aaron.tomich@mnufc.com) no later than Wednesday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. CT.
With the success of the 2021 Mayor’s Cup at Allianz Field, Minnesota United and Bell Bank, in partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools and the City of Saint Paul, collaborated to create a new annual match for Saint Paul high schools to participate in and play in front of friends, family and classmates at the home of the Loons. Similar to the Mayor’s Cup, the Saint Paul Cup features Saint Paul Public High Schools with the goal of displaying local youth soccer talent and helping to grow and connect soccer at all levels in our community and within the city of Saint Paul.
“Last year’s inaugural Saint Paul Cup was a huge success and a wonderful event for our community. It was awesome to be together and cheer for these inspiring young people”, said Minnesota United FC CEO Shari Ballard. “Made possible by our partners at Bell Bank, we are excited to welcome both Highland Park Senior High and St. Paul Central High to Allianz Field. We are grateful to our partners at Bell Bank for their continued support in providing the local Saint Paul athletes with the opportunity to showcase their talents, and we could not be more thrilled to create another memorable night of soccer right here in our community.”
This year’s participating schools were chosen through an advisory board with representatives from Minnesota United, the Saint Paul Mayor’s Office and Saint Paul Public High Schools. Different SPPS high schools will be selected to play each year.
"The Highland Park Girls Soccer Program is very excited participate in this year's St Paul Cup at Allianz,” said Highland Park Girls Soccer Head Coach Chris Steenberg. “We are very grateful for the opportunity and thankful to all who worked so hard to make it happen. Our players are very excited and hope to represent SPPS well."
“St. Paul Central's student athletes, coaches, athletic department, and administration are grateful for this amazing opportunity for our soccer programs,” said Central High Athletic Director Alicia Ekegren. “We appreciate the time and energy from all stakeholders in making this game possible. This incredible opportunity allows us to showcase the exceptional talent within our district, but also allows our programs to demonstrate unity, sportsmanship, and the positive impact that athletic programs in SPPS have on the larger community.
Allianz Field and Bell Bank will welcome students, family and all fans from Highland Park and St. Paul Central for free to support their teams.
“In our years of partnership with Minnesota United, our mutual motto has been United for Good,” said Julie Peterson Klein, Bell Bank’s chief culture officer. “At Bell Bank, we strive to bring people together and provide opportunities, and we love to partner with Minnesota United to bring communities together through soccer. We are very honored and proud to be a part of the St. Paul Cup and help high school soccer players, their families and fans thrill to the major league experience of playing in this world-class stadium. Best wishes to the teams from the Bell Bank family!”
About Allianz Field:
Soccer-specific Allianz Field represents the home of soccer in Minnesota, not just for the team, but for the world’s game in the Twin Cities, Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. With a seating capacity of 19,600, clear sightlines, a natural grass surface, premium and club spaces for games and events, the Grand Casino Brew Hall with 96 taps, a public Great Lawn and many other amenities, the Twin Cities’ newest stadium will serve as a beacon for the sport and the community in and around the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul and beyond.
About Saint Paul Public Schools:
At Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), our mission is both bold and simple: to inspire students to think critically, pursue their dreams and change the world. SPPS is one of Minnesota's largest school districts serving more than 32,000 students. Highly trained and deeply dedicated staff, cutting-edge academic programs, and strong community support are among the district’s hallmarks. At SPPS, our student population is diverse. Our students speak more than 125 languages, sharing their ideas and cultures with their classmates and teachers every single day.
About Bell Bank:
Founded in 1966 in Fargo, N.D., Bell Bank (Member FDIC) is the Official Bank of Minnesota United Football Club and one of the nation’s largest family- and employee-owned banks. Now with seven full-service banks in the Twin Cities metro. Bell is consistently recognized as an award-winning bank and workplace, and was most recently named one of People magazine’s 100 Companies That Care. Since 2008, Bell has empowered more than $18 million in charitable giving through its unique Pay It Forward program, in which every employee receives funds annually to give as they choose to individuals, families or organizations in need.
