Now It’s Batman vs. Superman … On The Soccer Field

Target Field in downtown Minneapolis will be the site for a superhero reunion of sorts.

That is when the Dark Knight (a k a Miguel Ibarra) and his teammates from Club León of Mexico’s Liga MX will play an international exhibition against Christian Ramirez (a k a Superman) and Minnesota United in the first soccer match in the home of baseball’s Minnesota Twins. They were given the nicknames by the longtime Twin Cities soccer maven, Bruce McGuire.

“It’s going to be a pretty cool atmosphere,” Ramirez told NASL.com.

The Loons, who recently finished in fourth place in the NASL’s Spring Season standings, normally play their home games at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn., a northern suburb. Both teams will train there, with Club León conducting an open practice (admission is $10) on Friday.

The match marks Ibarra’s return to Minnesota after his transfer to Liga MX last June. The close relationship between Ibarra and Ramirez goes back to their time together with Orange County Blue Star in 2014. Ibarra bent the ear of Ramirez when the striker, who scored five goals for United in the Spring Season, was looking for a landing spot after a successful stint in the USL.

“He’s excited to come back and see some familiar faces,” Ramirez said. “I saw him last weekend. They had finished their off-season and just started preseason this week. I saw him in California when I was home last Thursday [United returned to training on Tuesday after taking four days off]. I had to go with him to get his tuxedo. He’s one of my groomsmen for my wedding in December.”

Ibarra was a fan favorite during his time in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. After joining the club in 2012, he was named to the NASL’s Best XI in 2013 and 2014 and earned the 2014 Golden Ball as the league’s best player. He also became the first NASL player in the Modern Era to be called up to the US national team, making his debut against Honduras on Oct. 14, 2014. To date, Ibarra has been called to the national team a total of five times.

But since his transfer to Club León, Ibarra has been limited by injuries and has yet to make an official appearance for the team.

“I think it’s been some frustration and a challenge with him having success here quickly and often and then moving into an environment where he’s not No. 1,” Ramirez said. “He’s had to work his way up and had some good and down moments. He got injured for a long period of time. But over all I think for him it’s been a positive experience. I know he wouldn’t do it any differently. Now he’s fighting to get into rotation and he wants to make sure he is part of the team week in and week out.”

The two friends will reconnect again before the match.

“It’s going to be fun,” Ramirez said. “There’s been a lot of buzz around town about the game. We’ll talk before, make a little wager, probably bet lunch on the game. He’ll be hoping to find the back of the net as he tries to prove himself to new staff and his teammates. It’s a big challenge for him, and I’m sure he’ll have fun against a team knows so well.”