Coming off a fantastic 2014 NASL campaign – where the Loons finished the season with a league-best record, spring season hardware and a Miguel Ibarra USMNT national team call up – the future remained uncertain for the club. Major League Soccer was coming to the Twin Cities, but there were several competing bids. On March 25, 2015, Minnesota United held a joint press conference with MLS to announce the league's intention to bring Minnesota United to the top division of American soccer.

The newly promoted franchise began planning for the move. The first priority was designing a soccer-specific stadium and working with legislators to get the necessary permits approved; then expanding the staff and scouting for a new season – all while competing for an NASL title. Fans would have to wait until August the following year for the official announcement detailing when Minnesota United would become the newest MLS franchise.

Keeping its name and tweaking its logo, the Loons would begin MLS play in 2017. The Loons are celebrating their first two seasons in MLS soccer on October 21, with 50,000+ close friends at TCF Bank Stadium. The last home match at the University venue, Minnesota United will break a 42-year-old record for attendance as the club looks ahead to the opening of Allianz Field.