Minneapolis City SC, Champions of Twitter, were informed recently that their move from Premier League of America (PLA) to National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) caused their disqualification from the US Open Cup tournament. Long story short, the United States Soccer Federation ruled that this move made them ineligible, despite the team moving to teams at the same level of the American Soccer Pyramid (whereas MNUFC moved up a level on the pyramid, but because of the timing of their move, are still eligible for the tournament). (If you want a full explanation, our friends at Fifty Five.One provided great coverage, as usual).
As mentioned above (and all over their social media), MPLS City are the Champions of Twitter, and the response to their disqualification by both the team and its supporters showed why.
Fifty Five.One’s Kyle Ellison breaks the news:
Breaking: Minneapolis City disqualified from U.S. Open Cup.https://t.co/elfj6PZbPy
— Kyle Eliason (@kreliason) February 7, 2017
And the responses roll in:
MALARKEY!!! @mplscitysc @usopencup @FiftyFiveOne pic.twitter.com/o0EpQEQRbF
— DWD Johnson (@dwdjohnson) February 7, 2017
When the US Open Cup is literally anything but. #FREEMPLS @mplscitysc
— Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa) February 7, 2017
So @mplscitysc goes from PLA to NPSL and @ussoccer is up in arms. MNUFC goes from NASL to MLS and they're okay? #BadRule #LetCityCompete.
— (@FloraIMN) February 7, 2017
Just heard the @mplscitysc news, crazy. Has no bearing on the competition. #LetThemPlay
— Minneapolis Spurs (@MNSpurs) February 7, 2017
@mplscitysc @ussoccer #usopencup #LetthemPlay pic.twitter.com/l9slzRDXI9
— nYCsPORTSpUNK (@NYCsportsPUNK) February 7, 2017
Including a lot of references to [poop emoji]:
@kreliason @FiftyFiveOne pic.twitter.com/p0UwN8HLM1
— T.J. Zaremba (@TJZaremba) February 7, 2017
.@kreliason THIS IS EGREGIOUS @mplscitysc pic.twitter.com/WHfuuLkzBO
— Isaac Ch (@mnlooner) February 7, 2017
@kreliason pic.twitter.com/gDxvNkc0do
— Lew Tasso (@Tasso623) February 7, 2017
And it wouldn’t be MPLS City if Grumpy Cat didn’t make an appearance:
@mplscitysc @usopencup No pic.twitter.com/2YRKx0z9l4
— Kate Sophia (@kasuso) February 7, 2017
The supporters read the rules, and looked for help:
@Clint_Warren @mplscitysc @kreliason @hoedeman @FiftyFiveOne @ussoccer gotta be some lawyers in the fanbase.
— Kevin Hall (@khall13) February 7, 2017
@khall13 just read multiple yrs of the policy. I think they could have ruled diff but understand. Just not consistent w/spirit of cup
— Clint Warren (@Clint_Warren) February 7, 2017
@MnNiceFC @mplscitysc this is so sub optimal maybe @MenInBlazers could say a little something. Put that blazer pressure on the USSF.
— The Jester SOR (@Liburalgamer) February 7, 2017
Even the team’s NPSL North foes came to their defense:
@ussoccer please let @mplscitysc play in the @opencup! @usopencup
— Duluth FC (@DuluthFC) February 7, 2017
@DuluthFC @ussoccer @mplscitysc @opencup @usopencup #weagree pic.twitter.com/LFjSYSytQv
— Minnesota TwinStars (@TwinStarsFC) February 7, 2017
But then... a realization was made:
@mplscitysc pic.twitter.com/omaGOz1pMW
— Brandon (@BrandonRB_14) February 7, 2017
And they rolled with it:
Undefeated in @usopencup !
— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) February 7, 2017
Wait, how?
It's really ridiculous, but @FiftyFiveOne has a typically smart take.
READ: https://t.co/kiQP2zY0ld pic.twitter.com/pUu8X4nkr3
Seriously, @mplscitysc put this on t-shirts, sell like crazy, because soccer twitter ❤️you guys, raise some for the club. Or beer fund. pic.twitter.com/9TbOpydsod
— Laura Mills (@laurameme) February 7, 2017
So they did:
@laurameme Love that idea so much: https://t.co/TKepaFCnQm pic.twitter.com/GHMzXsDhd3
— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) February 7, 2017
You can pre-order said shirts here.
But act fast before the pre-order is done:
@mplscitysc IM BUYING A T SHIRT ON MY LUNCH BREAK PLEASE DONT END IT WITHOUT ME I LOVE YOUR CLUB SO MUCH
— Logiee (@ItsLogie) February 7, 2017
The only team to ever lose to Minneapolis City in the Open Cup steps in:
We barely lost to the team that never lost. That's gotta be worth something, right? @mplscitysc https://t.co/NBnD8K2wSD
— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) February 7, 2017
A petition was made, and you should sign it:
Let Minneapolis City Play in the Open Cup - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/yPA5NS20yQ via @Change
— #⃣ Mitch (@MDLaw_) February 7, 2017
And then, as if the shirts weren’t enough, they came up with arguably their best idea yet:
The perfect shirt to wear when we challenge the @usopencup winner to a playoff to determine the true champion.https://t.co/TKepaFCnQm pic.twitter.com/yHISGrhdX0
— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) February 7, 2017
One game between two undefeated US Open Cup champs. We’ll be waiting patiently. And tweeting. A lot.