Photos: MN United home opener brings out the blue -- and the green


Edu Rosales, left, and Kyle Wogen cheer during the game.
1 Dark Clouds fans Edu Rosales, left, and Kyle Wogen cheer on the Loons. 
Season ticket holders walk onto the field and unfurl a banner at the start.
2 Minnesota season ticket holders, including Dayna Shimizu, third from left, of Hastings, got to walk on to the field and unfurl a banner at the start of the game during the national anthem. 
Fan groups are joined by the Minnesota Loon mascot.
3 Fans are joined here by the Minnesota Loon mascot. 
True North Elite member Ari Hillman, Golden Valley, works the capo stand.
4 True North Elite member Ari Hillman, of Golden Valley, works the capo stand with representatives of the Dark Clouds and the Fists of the North Star, other MN United fan groups (capo is an Italian word for captain). 
Fans unfurl many flags to support the Loons.
5 Fans unfurl many flags to support the Loons. 
Dark Clouds president Abraham Opoti of St. Paul drums.
6 Dark Clouds president Abraham Opoti of St. Paul drums amidst his fan group in the stands during the game. 
The True North Elite fan group unfurls their flag.
7 The True North Elite fan group unfurls their flag. 
The Minnesota United FC defeated the Chicago Fire 2-1 in the season opener.
8 Minnesota United FC defeated the Chicago Fire 2-1 in the soccer season opener at TCF Bank Stadium. 
True North Elite capo Nicholas Bisbee leads the crowd in chants and songs.
9 True North Elite capo Nicholas Bisbee, of Minneapolis, right with megaphone, leads the Minnesota crowd in chants and songs. 
Zach Maron, who does not identify with a particular fan group, cheers.
10 Zach Maron, who does not identify with a particular fan group, cheered on Minnesota. 
Jerome Thiesson (3) battles Chicago's Elliot Collier (28) for the ball.
11 Minnesota's Jerome Thiesson (3) battles Chicago's Elliot Collier (28) for the ball in the first half. 
Tyler Nelson, Minneapolis, chooses to sit in a quieter section of stands.
12 Minnesota Dark Clouds fan Tyler Nelson, of Minneapolis, chooses to sit in a quieter section of stands so he can watch the game. And, he says, so he can get the cheers going in another part of the stadium. 
Amanda Kujawa of Rosemont lifts up her scarf.
13 Minnesota fan Amanda Kujawa of Rosemont lifts up her scarf during the game. Her friend has season tickets so she goes to some games with them. 
Nick Hintz celebrates the game and St. Patrick's Day.
14 Dark Clouds fan Nick Hintz celebrates the game and St. Patrick's Day with his attire, while drinking a beer. 
Chicago fans, a group who call themselves Section 8, cheer on their team.
15 Chicago fans, a group who call themselves Section 8, cheer on their team during the game. 
Stephanie Giron, 10, and her sister Valeria
16 Stephanie Giron, 10, and her sister Valeria, 20 months, of Minneapolis, pose for a portrait while attending the game with their parents, who have season tickets. 
Fans celebrate the team's first goal by waving their scarves in the air.
17 Minnesota fans celebrate their team's first goal by waving their scarves in the air. 
In one section, people stand on the benches instead of sitting on them.
18 In more than one section, people stand on the benches instead of sitting on them. 
Minnesota fans celebrate their team's second goal.
19 Minnesota fans celebrate their team's second goal by waving their scarves in the air.