The latest: Minnesota United unveils stadium designs for MLS stadium in St. Paul

Are you ready for some futbol?

Yes or no, Major League Soccer is headed to Minnesota’s capital city in 2018. Minnesota United FC plans to leave the second-tier North American Soccer League after next season and play in a new MLS stadium in St. Paul’s Midway.

Here’s a rundown of the details, some of which are still coming together.

WHAT’S BEEN ANNOUNCED?

Minnesota United FC has an agreement in principle with the St. Paul mayor’s office to build a $120 million Major League Soccer stadium on 10 acres of vacant land at Snelling and University avenues, near the Green Line. It would seat about 19,000 fans.

The team would build the facility using private money, and it would remain tax-exempt. The stadium would be publicly owned and sit on land leased by the city from the Metropolitan Council.

WHAT HAS YET TO BE SORTED OUT?

Infrastructure costs for land improvements such as parking, sidewalks and street lighting have yet to be determined. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has said the city will pitch in to cover certain types of public improvements, but what those are and how much they add up to remain uncertain.

The Federal Transit Administration, which helped finance the former Metro Transit “bus barn” site decades ago, will need to sign off on the new use for the 10-acre parcel. The St. Paul Port Authority, the city and the Met Council must sign off on a land lease. And state lawmakers have yet to vote on two stadium-related exemptions on property taxes and construction materials. The Legislature convenes in March.

HOW MUCH PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

The Ramsey County Assessor has declined to speculate. Media estimates using the county’s online tax calculator have ranged from $2.4 million to well over twice that amount. A lot of variables are at play, from land and construction values to the type of assessment tool used to calculate potential property taxes. The 10 acres are currently tax exempt, and would remain so once the stadium is built, just like all other pro sports stadiums in Minnesota.

WHERE WILL THE TEAM PLAY IN 2017?

That is yet to be determined. Minnesota United FC, which currently plays in the North American Soccer League, draws upwards of 8,500 fans to its current playing venue at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The team will remain there for the 2016 season, but there’s a strong likelihood the team will join Major League Soccer in 2017, a year before the new stadium is ready in St. Paul.

If that happens, the team will need a temporary venue. Average MLS game attendance exceeds 21,000 spectators, and even the least popular teams in the league draw in some 16,000 fans or more. Around the country, there’s precedent for MLS teams leasing college, football and even baseball stadiums.

SO HOW LIKELY IS UNITED TO JOIN MLS IN 2017?

“The 2017 date hasn’t been officially announced at this point, but Atlanta United is joining in 2017 and signs point to both teams entering in the same year to preserve balance,” said Eric Durkee, a United spokesman. “But again, nothing official.”

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MIDWAY SHOPPING CENTER?

The Pohlad family’s United Properties group is talking with shopping plaza owner RK Midway about redeveloping the Midway Shopping Center, which is anchored by Rainbow Foods. Commercial tenants say they’re bracing for major changes.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The city is convening a Snelling-Midway Community Advisory committee for input on the 34.5-acre “Snelling Super Block,” which includes the 10-acre stadium site, the Midway Shopping Center and a vacant 5 acres of land next door, also owned by RK Midway. Expect traffic, parking and green space to be key issues.

IS MINNEAPOLIS STILL IN PLAY? THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF STEALING THE STADIUM SPOTLIGHT, YOU KNOW.

No. The two Hennepin County commissioners pushing for a professional soccer stadium have conceded defeat.

Reviving a moribund land deal in Minneapolis would incur the wrath of both Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.

It would also require taking valuable land off the tax rolls, which might lead to a more complicated discussion with state lawmakers.

WHO IS A FAN OF MINNESOTA UNITED, ANYWAY?

There are at least four established fan groups recognized by the team, and they’re listed by geography at mnunitedfc.com/supporters-groups. The Dark Clouds, which formed in 2004, tailgate before every game and rent a bus that travels to Blaine from the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis.

True North Elite and the Mankato Dark Clouds formed in 2015. Wolf’s Head, which hails from Duluth-Superior, formed in 2013.

HOW DO I GET TICKETS?

Tickets and schedules are online at mnunitedfc.com.

WHERE CAN I READ MORE ON THE NEW STADIUM?

The team has been adding to its stadium website at newstpaulstadium.com.

WHERE CAN I GET TEAM MERCHANDISE?

The team’s online store is well-stocked at squareup.com/market/minnesota-united-shop.

Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172.

Follow him at twitter.com/FrederickMelo.