MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minnesota United FC soccer team will take on a team from Mexico this Saturday in the first international, professional soccer game to be played at Target Field.

The team is releasing a video ahead of the game to discourage fans from yelling inappropriate or hateful chants that can be common in some parts of the world.

Players from all over the world make up Minnesota United, but center mid-fielder Jeb Brovsky says the rules of the game stay the same on the field.

“We’re all on the same team, so it’s a family,” Brovksy said.

What happens in the stands among fans can sometimes cross the line.

“It’s certainly not welcoming, you know, and it’s not what we want this sport to be about, because especially we have a lot of families, we have a lot of children coming to games and we have to set an example,” Brovksy said.

At issue is a chant that fans of Mexico’s Club Leon team commonly use, which directs a derogatory term toward the opposing team’s goalie. Many consider the word used to be hate speech.

Minnesota United FC Sporting Director Manny Lagos says while most fans are wonderful and loyal, they may not think their words are as harmful as they can be.

“It’s such a positive global game. You have all these cultures that embrace this game as part of their identity,” Lagos said.

He says while some offensive language may be tolerated in other venues around the world, Minnesota United wants to focus on respect — especially as the team begins building a new soccer stadium in the Midway area of St. Paul, set to open in 2018.

“I grew up a mile and a half from that area. It is an amalgamation of great, awesome cultures and people and diversity that I think soccer actually reflects globally,” Lagos said.

The game is this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Target Field. Tickets are still available.

UPDATE: On Friday, the team released a video and statement, with a message “to stand against hate.”



Here’s the statement: