Minnesota Stars FC release 2012 schedule
Minnesota Stars FC unveiled its 2012 schedule Thursday morning as teams all around the North American Soccer League announced their dates. The NASL features eight teams who will play 112 regular season games from April 7 through the end of September. Six teams will compete in the playoffs.
The schedule shapes up well for the defending champion Stars FC, who play the vast majority of their home games on Saturdays or surrounding major tournaments at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Overall, the league made an effort to keep games on weekends in each of its eight markets as it looks to build on a successful first year. The league will also compete in the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the 99th edition of the national knock-out tournament.
“We’re extremely pleased with the schedule and the opportunity to play our home games on days that we know will be convenient for our fans and help to build an intimidating atmosphere at NSC Stadium,” Stars FC CEO Djorn Buchholz said. “We also appreciate the cooperation from the league and the National Sports Center to help make professional soccer games a highlight of this year’s NSC Spring Cup, All American Cup and Schwan’s USA Cup tournaments.”
Stars FC had already announced its home opener against the Carolina RailHawks on April 7 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. Tickets for that game are on sale now, starting at just $5 for general admission seats. Single-game tickets for the rest of team’s 2012 home games, which will be played at NSC Stadium, will be available by phone and online in early March.
Season tickets are available, which include tickets to the Dome Opener April 7 as well as 14 “flex” tickets to use in any combination at the Stars 13 home games at NSC Stadium. To order season or opener tickets, call (763) 792-7355 to speak to an account executive.
2012 Stars FC schedule
Home games in bold
All home games kick off at 7:30 p.m. and are played at NSC Stadium unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, April 7: Carolina RailHawks (Metrodome)
Saturday, April 14: at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Sunday, April 22: at FC Edmonton
Saturday, April 28: at Atlanta Silverbacks
Saturday, May 5: Atlanta Silverbacks
Saturday, May 12: Carolina RailHawks
Saturday, May 19: at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Saturday, May 26: at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, June 2: at San Antonio Scorpions FC
Saturday, June 9: at Carolina RailHawks
Saturday, June 16: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, June 23: Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Saturday, June 30: at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wednesday, July 4: Puerto Rico Islanders (postgame fireworks)
Saturday, July 7: Atlanta Silverbacks
Thursday, July 12: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wednesday, July 18: Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Saturday, July 21: at Carolina RailHawks
Saturday, July 28: at Puerto Rico Islanders
Saturday, August 4: at FC Edmonton
Saturday, August 11: San Antonio Scorpions FC
Saturday, August 18: at Atlanta Silverbacks
Saturday, August 25: FC Edmonton
Saturday, Sept. 1: San Antonio Scorpions FC
Saturday, Sept. 8: FC Edmonton
Tuesday, Sept. 11: Puerto Rico Islanders
Saturday, Sept. 15: at Puerto Rico Islanders
Sunday, Sept. 23: at San Antonio Scorpions FC
