To call the Black Hart a soccer bar…

is to say that when you walk in the door, you don’t have to sheepishly ask if a game can be put on. We are a thousand yards from the new home of Minnesota United FC and the home base of many of its supporters.

Beyond the Loons and MLS, we also feature international games, Liga MX, and European Leagues. If there is a game you want to see, we can probably get it for you.

Soccer fandom through the US, but particularly in Minnesota has a long tradition of proactively supporting progressive beliefs of inclusion and advocating for queer visibility in sports.

Our Patron Saints…

 
 
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Saint Buzz

In January 2019, we unveiled our first patron saint of the bar, Saint Buzz. Saint Paul’s Buzz Lagos is the godfather of professional soccer in Minnesota. He launched the Minnesota Thunder in 1990, bringing professional soccer back to the state after the demise of the Kicks. Buzz, a school teacher and coach, also did more than just about anyone else in the state to use soccer as a way to teach youth, particularly under-privileged youth.

Saint Briana

Briana Scurry. The greatest player Minnesota ever produced. World Cup Winner and women’s soccer trailblazer.

Saint Carl

Carl Craig. Carl was assistant coach for NSC Minnesota Stars, then Minnesota Stars, then Minnesota United. It was Carl who created traditions like singing Wonderwall and driving Minnesota to an NASL championship in 2011.

Saint Grant

You might wonder why a journalist from Kansas City found his way to the Black Hart Communion of Saint. When Minnesota United was about to enter Major League Soccer in 2017, everyone thought they would be a disaster. Grant wrote a piece musing that he didn’t think Minnesota United would win five games. Minnesota fans ribbed him mercilessly for his prediction and when they won their sixth game unveiled a scarf that read “You know nothing Grant Wahl.” It was a loving rivalry between fans and pundit. But Grant’s passing at a young age hit us all very hard. He was a fierce champion of women’s soccer, LGBTQ representation, and decency.

Saint Kevin

Kevin Friedland. In the days before MLS, our team had just a handful of employees doing everything. One of them was Kevin Friedland, a player, a coach, and he also worked in the front office doing things like designing and hand-pressing kits. Kevin was instrumental in the 2011 NASL championship, including helping moving the Dark Clouds to a part of the stadium where they would be on TV and help build the atmosphere.

Saint Ace

Ace Ntsoelengoe. Decades ago, before the modern soccer era, the Minnesota Kicks reigned supreme. Their games at the old Met stadium were legendary for fans bringing in coolers full of beer. But they were also legendary for a magical South African striker named Ace Ntsoelengoe. He was Minnesota’s first true international superstar.