50 years ago today in the first professional soccer "friendly" in Minnesota the Kicks and the Glasgow Rangers tied 2-2 before 11,328 fans at Metropolitan Stadium.

I did.

50 years ago today the Kicks defeated the St. Louis Stars 2-0 at the Met. With the victory the Kicks evened their record at 3 wins and 3 losses for the season.

Your 1976 Minnesota Kicks

Today's retro NASL @mnufc.com matchup

50 years ago today the Kicks defeated the Dallas Tornado 3-0 at Metropolitan Stadium.

The old NASL had some great logos.

The Kicks credited much of their first season success with the fans to extensive community outreach leading up to the season. Clinics, personal appearances, etc. Here's a young me with Peter Short at Kokesh Athletics in Maplewood in early 1976.

50 years ago today in Vancouver the Kicks were defeated by the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1. Four games into the Kicks inaugural season their record stands at 1-3.

The official attendance figure did not include all that were let in for free. When Twins owner Calvin Griffith was asked about the Kicks playing at Met Stadium his response was "Well, those goes the neighborhood".

The Kicks were only expecting around 12,000 fans. In a move that established good will for the rest of the season they just let in +2,000 fans for free.

Part owner of the Kicks Jack Crocker also owned the chain of stores, the County Seat. When people said he was crazy for buying a soccer team he said "People said there was no way to make money selling pants, now we're opening our 100th store".

In honor of the Kicks home opening match 50 years ago tomorrow, May 9, I'm going to post images from the 1976 Kicks media guide.

Kicks free kick wall (not sure what happened to number four's jersey.

Stay tuned for more 50th anniversary of the Kicks inaugural season coverage as we get closer to the start of the season. I'll be posting game results and lots of other fun content.

The Kicks opened their inaugural 1976 season with two road games, a 4-2 loss on April 24 to the San Jose Earthquakes on April 24 and a 2-1 loss to the San Antonio Thunder on May 1. The home opener will be at the Met May 9!

Your retro Minnesota vs Los Angeles matchup

The Kicks never lost by this much to Vancouver.

Your retro Minnesota vs Vancouver matchup.

Looks like @mnufc.com are easily beating this today.

@mnufc.com opponent today didn't have an NASL team back when the Kicks played but Cincinnati did have a MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) team, the Kids, that played for one season 1978/79. They were partially owned by Pete Rose!

50 years ago in February of 1976 the Kicks named Freddie Goodwin their first coach. Freddie played for Manchester United. He made the team in 1953 but wasn't on the plane that killed 8 players in 1958. He captained the 1959 team that finished second in the league.

Via Talisman Caps. I need to get out to Stillwater and visit their new location. Love them for speaking out. What about you @mnufc.com?

Simply the most 70s logo ever created

With apologies to John, Paul, George, and Ringo… It’s was 50 years ago today When Minnesota learned how to play The beautiful game we’ve come to love But not the really stinky goalie glove So may I introduce to you The team you’ve know all these years Minnesota Kicks Professional Soccer Teeeaaaam

Stay tuned for more 50th anniversary of the Kicks inaugural season coverage as we get closer to the start of the season. I'll be posting game results and lots of other fun content.

Official Kicks logo sheet with pantone colors. The uniform (we didn't call them kits back then) colors were described as blue denim, orange and white.

George Karn who also designed the North Stars logo and the Fighting Saints "Little Saint" designed the Kicks logo. (he should be in some local hall of fame).

The Kicks name was submitted by 40 different people. Some of the other names submitted were Acorns, Zoomers, Blizzards, Mosquitos.

50 years ago today the professional soccer team in Minnesota was officially named the Kicks.

Image via Talisman Caps. Check them out, they have some cool Kicks merch. share.google/ZJZv3Jb1RlRg...

At the local baseball glove repair shop there is a great collection of Minnesota Kicks stuff.

50 years ago today professional soccer was officially brought to Minnesota. Newspaper clipping via @whenesota.com This account will be more active in the coming year documenting the Kicks first season in Minnesota. Follow along for all the soccer (and tailgating) fun!

I rarely see this book come up for sale and this is a pretty reasonable price. So many great pictures and coverage of the Kicks inaugural season in 1976. This account's header photo is from the book. A must for any Minnesota soccer fans. @jonmarthaler.com www.ebay.com/itm/16716419...

Bummer the Loons lost tonight. Please just enjoy this scene from days of Minnesota soccer past.

The MLS conference semi final match up is Minnesota vs Los Angeles.

The Kicks played two seasons indoors at Met Stadium, 79/80 and 80/81. After that the Strikers played as part of the MISL. The Strikers 85/86 media guide really played into the indoor nature of the sport.

The first Kicks indoor game was 45 years ago today.

County Seat stores were a big Kicks sponsor.

48 years ago Minnesota joined the World.

Another full house at the Met for a Kicks game.

In case you're wondering the official pantone colors for the Kicks were "denim" blue PMS 292 and orange PMS 165.

Any chance @mnufc.bsky.social can get Twinkie the Loon out of retirement?

Had this poster in my room as a kid. I was a charter member of the NASL Dr. Pepper Rookie Soccer Club.

Keeping a box score like you would in baseball never really caught on. Probably an NASL attempt to American-ize the game.

Unfortunately the coupon expired and there are only four Zantigo's left in the Twin City metro.

What was your favorite lot to park in for tailgating before Kicks games at the ol' Met?

1979 Kicks schedule poster. Sponsored by Shakey's Pizza!

Did you know? Former hockey player, referee and coach - George Karn from St. Paul, MN designed the North Stars, Fighting Saints & Minnesota Kicks logos.

The old NASL had some great jerseys. We weren't calling them kits back then.