Minnesota UFC Will Join MLS Next Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota United FC says it's moving up to Major League Soccer for the 2017 season and will play at TCF Bank Stadium until they get a new stadium.

Team and league officials announced the plan Friday evening. The team will keep its name and its loon logo.

Former UnitedHealth CEO Bill McGuire rescued Minnesota United with his purchase of the financially struggling North American Soccer League franchise in 2013. The NASL is a level below MLS, which began to eye the Twin Cities market after seeing United's success under McGuire.

McGuire and his partners have pledged to pay the entire bill for a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium expected to cost about $150 million. But they're seeking a still-unapproved property tax exemption from the state for the St. Paul site.