As an avid soccer fan, I seize any and all chances I get to watch a match. So when I recently spent a few days in Minneapolis, I jumped at the chance to attend a Minnesota United FC match.

I did have a few reservations, however. Many fans of European leagues look down on Major League Soccer (MLS) as a retirement league, made for aging stars who aren’t good enough for top-flight competition anymore.

I must confess that I shared the same mindset. Having attended games at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, and the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, I doubted that TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis could offer an exciting atmosphere.

I was very quickly proven wrong.

Leisurely rolling up to the Loons’ Western Conference clash with Real Salt Lake at 7 p.m., I was immediately taken aback by the sheer cacophony of noise that surrounded the bag check areas. In fact, it was audible five blocks away, and a friend of mine commented on the beat of three different bass drums.

Fans were visible as far as the eye could see. Most wore Minnesota’s sleek gray jersey with an assortment of names on the back, from captain Francisco Calvo to new signing Darwin Quintero to the only openly gay player in North America’s five major sports, Collin Martin.

Once inside the stadium, I made a beeline for the supporters’ section. My interest had been piqued by the passionate fans outside, and I wanted to be in the middle of the action.

At TCF Bank, the supporters’ section faces southwest and looks over many of the buildings of the Minneapolis skyline. As the match went on, the sun setting over the skyscrapers provided for an absolutely picturesque view.

However, the soccer on the field in front of me was much more beautiful.

The match started out slow, but as Minnesota threatened Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando time and again, my eyes were riveted onto the field. 

Soon after the second half began, our patience was rewarded. Darwin Quintero assisted two goals and scored a beautiful curling shot in the span of 20 minutes. As Salt Lake pulled two goals back, we were on the edge of our seats, but the Loons held firm to pull out a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

For the entirety of the match, the atmosphere around me was positively electric. Flags were waving in every direction, ranging from small sky blue handheld standards to three enormous banners that each took three people to wave back and forth in synchronicity.

Chants boomed out from the supporters all around, led by five megaphone wielding men. I recognized some of them as adapted from famous chants from European clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, but each of them carried a different flair.

As I was leaving the stadium, flushed with excitement and carrying a new Minnesota United scarf, I noticed two flags at the base of the supporters’ section expressing support for Collin Martin and promising support for everyone, regardless of race, gender or sexuality.

When today’s soccer culture is so fraught with violence against minorities and LGBTQ individuals, Minnesota’s supporter group deserves special commendation for their commitment to providing safety for all fans as expressed in their code of conduct.

The leaders of the supporter group went out of their way to make me feel welcome, giving me a rundown of their customs and rules. While joining in the chants was slightly awkward at first, by the end of the first half I had nearly shouted myself hoarse. I deeply appreciated their time and was extremely impressed by their dedication to the team.

Minnesota United had one of the most intense and welcoming atmospheres I have experienced in my travels around the world. I will be back for another match in the near future, as a proud Loons fan.