The high temperature in Minneapolis, where Atlanta United will play Minnesota United on Saturday, is projected to be 31 degrees. Yes, there’s a little snowflake symbol next to that 31 on weather.com.
By the time the game starts at 8 p.m., that temperature should be lower, which means Atlanta United and Minnesota United could again break the temperature record of 19 degrees set at the start of last year’s game on March 12 when they met at TCF Bank Stadium. The low for Saturday night is forecast to be 14 degrees with a 30-percent chance of snow.
The Five Stripes famously defeated Minnesota United 6-1 last year in that game, which was played with the orange ball instead of the traditional white one because, by halftime, that’s the only way it could be seen. It was Atlanta United’s first win.
By halftime, the field and tops of the bleachers at TCF Bank Stadium were covered in snow.
By the end of the game, everything was covered in snow.
Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst said he has seen the weather forecast for Saturday’s game.
He said last year’s game may have been the coldest he has ever played. It was at least among the worst, along with a few playoff games in New England.
To keep warm, Parkhurst said he will probably wear gloves and an undershirt.
A few goals would be good because then the players can dogpile and use body warmth to re-gain the feelings in the fingers and toes.
Julian Gressel said he plans to keep warm by running. He pointed out that it hasn’t been too warm in Atlanta, so that’s good preparation.
“We are ready,” he said. “We showed that last year. It doesn’t matter what’s thrown at us. We will come out to play.”
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