Scarves Up: Dark Clouds

Scarves Up  will be a feature over the course of the offseason to get the perspective from the stands and the great supporters around the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Minnesota United FC was one of the more successful teams in 2014. They won the Spring Championship as well as having the best combined overall record. Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez also took home several individual awards at season's end as well as Manny Lagos winning Coach of the Year honors.

NASL.com spoke to Dark Clouds executive board member Jim Oliver as he discussed Ibarra's U.S. Men's National Team call-ups, a beard bet  and more.

NASL: Who are the Dark Clouds?

Dark Clouds: The Dark Clouds are a supporters’ group that grew up around the last incarnations of professional soccer in the Twin Cities.

NASL: It seems the group has branded themselves as black sheep; where did that culture develop?

DC: It was from the guys that started it, I think. If you ever come to our tailgates, it’s not the traditional seeming sports tailgates. It’s a lot of music weirdoes and art weirdoes that have gravitated towards soccer because they like sports but being a fan is making stuff and doing weird stuff.

I’m not trying to impune other people’s way of  doing things because that’s not what it’s about. It’s grown around these people in addition  to all the traditional soccer guys. There is plenty of those too, but it’s always been informed by that other side of it.

NASL: Miguel Ibarra has been called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team several times now, how much pride does the Dark Clouds take in that?

DC: A ton. He’s going into his fourth year. We loved watching him for years now. I’ve been watching the team for seven years now, and this is the first time we’ve gotten to see someone turn from someone you like watching into a really dominant player to get recognized at that level.

We love the guy, we love watching him, and we’re behind the guy all the way. Can’t take any credit for it because he does all the running, we’re just happy for him.  

NASL: Do you think Ibarra will be joined by another Loon, Christian Ramirez, sooner rather than later at the national team level?

DC: He scores goals. We need somebody on the national team that scores goals and continues to score goals.

I can’t read anybody’s mind there, but we would love to see him get a crack at it, for sure.

NASL: Many of the players from last season’s Spring and Combined Season Championships are returning as does head coach Manny Lagos, how important will that stability for the upcoming season?

DC: I think it’s what has helped build the success last season.   The core of the team staying strong is key. We’ve had a lot of consistency in the organization, even through the re-branding.

I think to see another year of  consistency, you hope for another year of improvement.

NASL: What does the Dark Clouds have in store for the 2015 season at the NSC Sports Center?

DC: More and bigger noises as well as more and bigger displays. Our numbers just keep growing. We don’t plan our tifo stuff this early. We’re just getting the year started now.

It’s mostly growing the numbers and growing the engagement of people. If   you look at what happened last year, there’s no stopping us.

NASL: What are you expecting from Minnesota United FC on the pitch this season?

DC:  At our season ending awards banquet that we had for the players and supporters, Bruce McGuire [another Dark Clouds board member] and I actually bet our beards. We both are big bearded guys. Brian Kallman wanted to know if we’d shave them off if they could win both seasons and the Soccer Bowl trophy. I’m fully expecting to shave my beard.