Like all lower division soccer clubs, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Minneapolis City SC into dangerously uncharted waters. The club, which was founded in 2016, plays in the fourth tier NPSL. Back in late March, the season was cancelled and the team’s highly anticipated U.S. Open Cup first round match against Chicago FC United was postponed indefinitely.
But Minneapolis City remains fiercely embedded and active in its community despite the absence of soccer, and that activism was clearly on display this morning as the club looked to do its part following the death of George Floyd in the Powderhorn neighborhood of South Minneapolis and the protests and riots that followed.
Minneapolis City is effectively a team for southsiders — the club shop is just a short trip down Hiawatha from the destroyed 3rd Precinct. As a series of tweets from the club on Thursday detailed, many of the businesses that’ve been impacted over the last week are part of the fabric of Minneapolis City.
We remain because we live there, work there, and can't quit there. It is our home, and it will remain our home.
Until then, we cry for Minneapolis. We call for justice. We hope for peace.— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) May 29, 2020
On Sunday, the club put together family meal kits for distribution and started a collection point for donations. The damage to the Lake Street corridor has been immense, and the usual stores that people in the area frequent for groceries and supplies — Target, Cub Foods, Aldi, etc. — have been destroyed.
Keep it going for Minneapolis!
We have family kits ready to go that we will be taking to Support the Cities but if you or someone you know are in need come to 2818 E 38th Street to pick them up.We will be here until 1 but check our FB event for updates. https://t.co/nRSxtsmGt6 pic.twitter.com/AtUU6q3L7T
— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) May 31, 2020
A great start (and more inside!), please donate if you can today at the shop. https://t.co/nRSxtsmGt6 pic.twitter.com/rtoWCcWyvz
— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) May 31, 2020
This is hugely important work and the total embodiment of what a positive force a soccer club can be for its community.
