Minnesota United To Host Premier League Side AFC Bournemouth

Photo credit: AFC Bournemouth

Minnesota United will host AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday, July 20, at National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minn. Coming off of its first ever season in the Barclays Premier League, Bournemouth has been on a meteoric rise up the English soccer pyramid, climbing from League Two to the Premier League in just six seasons. This will be the second time United has played a Premier League team, the first being Swansea City in 2014.
 
“I think this is an example of what a great sports market we have,” United Sporting Director Manny Lagos said. “We’re creating relationships and networks and people want to come here and play our club. They’ve heard we put on great events and that we’re competitive on the field. I think it’s a big source of pride for all of us as Minnesotans. Entering this global sport and being able to play some amazing clubs, and being able to play a Premier League club is quite an honor.”
 
United is coming off a massively successful friendly this past weekend against Club León of Mexico that drew a record crowd of 18,505 fans to Target Field.
 
As part of its trip, Bournemouth will spend 10 days in the States, training in Chicago ahead of its match with Minnesota United to open its preseason campaign. Chief Executive Neill Blake opted to return to the U.S. for preseason training after seeing positives from the club’s visit last season.
 
"Last year the first-team traveled to Philadelphia and it proved to be incredibly beneficial," Blake said. "It's important that preseason preparations are done correctly and we're pleased that we will be travelling to America once again. Not only will the trip provide the squad with important time together both on and off the training pitches, but it will also be great to play our first game of preseason against Minnesota United.”
 
This will be the sixth international friendly match United has hosted since the 2013 season, and the first against an English team. The Loons have fared well against world-class opponents in these matches, including the stunning 2-0 win over Swansea City in 2014.
 
Known as the Cherries, the team from the south coast of England has been on an incredible journey to the top flight. After facing the possibility of bankruptcy less than a decade ago, Bournemouth reinvented itself into a contender and was able to win the English Championship and hold onto its place in the Premier League in 2015.
 
Bournemouth had bounced between the third and fourth divisions since the club was formed in 1890, with a brief time in the second division in the late 80’s. The club nearly folded in the mid-90s, but a trust set up by fans saved the team, making Bournemouth the first ever community club in Europe.
 
The rise to the top became complete on the final day of the 2014-15 season. Bournemouth clinched the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic.
 
Their first season in the top flight was anything but easy. Bournemouth spent the entire season in the bottom half of the table, flirting with relegation throughout the year. The Cherries managed to pull out some amazing results, including back-to-back wins against reigning champions Chelsea and Manchester United, securing its place among England’s elite.
 
After such a successful domestic season, Bournemouth will look to pick up right where it left off against United, who is in midseason form. Making for a highly competitive match upcoming in Blaine, and as Lagos states, a match that is very important to United’s players.
 
“It’s a great honor for the players on the field when you play a club that is in the biggest league in the world," Lagos said. "You feel an incredible amount of pride because you are putting on the badge of the club you play week in and week out for, and represent yourself in an international competition.”