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This summer, Minnesota is bringing together six different clubs from four different leagues to determine which shines brightest in the North Star State. Although in its inaugural infancy, this is a great concept that'll only get better with time — other states should follow suit.
There are and have been different variations of Minnesota's Super Cup, but this competition promises head-to-head action with a tournament structure similar to the World Cup.
The Super Cup brings together six clubs from four different divisions, including Minnesota United's MLS Next team. So although not the MNUFC first team, it's still a squad comprised of academy graduates, SuperDraft picks and players striving for MLS.
They'll be going up against a celebrated collection of pre-professional and semi-pro clubs.
Minnesota Super Cup teams
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What happens when there are two groups of death? ☠️ pic.twitter.com/uJZ61c0q4a— Minnesota Super Cup (@MNSuperCup) March 7, 2023
Group A
Minneapolis City SC — USL League Two
Minnesota United — MLS Next
Duluth FC — NPSL
Group B
St. Croix Legends — USL League Two
Med City — NPSL
Vlora FC — UPSL
These are some tasty matchups, particularly Group A with representatives from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth (Minneapolis and Duluth also have a rivalry that goes back).
Each team plays two group stage matches, and the top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals.
Seeing this across the country would be a good thing. It's like how in Brazil they're so loaded with talent they contest heated annual state football championships before the start of the national leagues. We're a long way away from a state fielding something like the Campeonato Paulista (Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Santos, Paulistano, etc.), but having a great time with something like Minnesota's Super Cup sounds like the way forward.
