Saturday’s Target Field match was an sample of what’s to comeLast Saturday evening, soccer — the world’s game — was played for the first time at Target Field. Thousands of people representing every imaginable demographic, ethnic background, faith and walk of life arrived by foot, bicycle, car, bus and train. It was wonderful — and a harbinger of things to come as soccer helps to define our evolution as a truly international community.This international “friendly” match featured Club León, one of the great teams from soccer-obsessed Mexico, and Minnesota United FC, our own professional club destined for Major League Soccer, the top tier in the U.S. The event displayed the allure of the most accessible and popular sport in the world — played outdoors by gifted athletes on natural grass during a beautiful Minnesota evening.The game fulfilled its promise: competitive, exciting and displaying what makes soccer so popular, and the fastest-growing major sport in America. There was nonstop partisan chanting from supporters of both teams. Flags, scarves and banners were continuously waved, and fans sat transfixed by the quality of play and the athleticism showcased on the field. In the end, the visitors deservedly prevailed against a very credible home team in a match that could easily have ended equal.For the last month, millions of fans have filled stadiums across the U.S. for the Copa America Centenario, the world’s oldest international soccer tournament, featuring national teams from our sister nations in the Western Hemisphere. At the same time, millions from all of Europe — Iceland to Italy, Northern Ireland to Ukraine, and all nations between — are packing huge stadiums in France for the Euro 2016 tournament. We had a glimpse of both worlds — and the passions around a sport that brings so many people together — at beautiful Target Field on Saturday night.This was a night of many emotions, experiences and perspectives — and a shared joy among people who call Minnesota home while claiming the world as their heritage. Perhaps best of all, it was a timely reminder of what our diverse community represents, and a view toward the future Minnesota that we all desire.
-- Dr. William W. McGuire
