On Saturday, MNUFC supporters will raise their voices and their scarves to cheer the Loons on to victory against Chicago Fire. The songs and chants are catchy, and when the whole stadium joins in, it is spine tingling. But there are more to some songs than meets the ear.
For example, why do we sing about the Loch Ness Monster?
Lass from Overseas
This song harkens back to the Thunder’s tenure when it played at the National Sports Center aka NSC. When you say that acronym quickly, N-S-C starts to sound like Nessie, better known as the Loch Ness Monster. The name spread through the supporters and even gained popularity among the players. Nessie could be seen everywhere from cutouts on the east sideline, shaved into players heads, a man in a full Nessie costume and even on the kits. What started as an inside joke has become a song that highlights some of the highest and lowest points in the club’s history that shaped MNUFC into what it is today.
Sung to the tune of The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
In the town
Where I was born
Came a lass
From overseas.
Now she lives in Minnesota,
And her name is Nessie
We believe in a Scottish Lake Monster,
a Scottish Lake Monster,
a Scottish Lake Monster
We believe in a Scottish Lake Monster,
a Scottish Lake Monster,
a Scottish Lake Monster
Crappy Old Lockhart
Photo: NASL.com
Another oldie but goodie, this song references the 2011 NASL Championship win. The club, known then as NSC Minnesota Stars, was a league-owned club that squeaked into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. It rode a wave of dramatic victories to the 2011 Soccer Bowl, where it pulled out to a solid 3-1 lead in the home leg against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. For the away leg, the Stars traveled south to the Strikers’ home field: Lockhart Stadium. The field was the home site for the Strikers team back in the original NASL, so it had some character to it. Minnesota held on for a 0-0 draw to win the league title and the Soccer Bowl. Players, fans and staff partied well into the night at a local bar, christening the cup’s inaugural season in service by drinking Surly beer from it.
To commemorate that night in 2011, fans will sing Crappy Old Lockhart every match during the 11th minute.
Sung to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey – The Weavers
At crappy old Lockhart
we won the cup
We filled it with Surly
and drank it up
And if there's no Surly
what will we do then?
We'll get to the Finals
and win it again
Wonderwall
Most fans of the club are fairly familiar with this song sung by fans after a win, and we’ve given it an in-depth analysis already. So here’s a quick refresher. Also in 2011, Assistant Coach Carl Craig had been humming and singing the Oasis superhit after wins throughout the season. Eventually, players began to join in on bus rides back to hotels or in the locker room. The song was transferred to the fans after the home leg of the Soccer Bowl, as the players and coaches serenaded the supporters’ section to thank them for their undying support through a tough but rewarding season. The song caught on like wildfire, and it cemented itself in supporter culture one year later when fans and players joined together once again to belt out Wonderwall after the home leg of the 2012 Soccer Bowl.
Now, after every MNUFC victory — and some special occasions — fans raise their scarves and voices to celebrate with one of the best traditions in all of sport.
Words can’t do it justice, so I’ll let the fans take it from here
Oasis – Wonderwall
(Typically sung after an MNUFC win)
Today, is gonna be the day, they're gonna throw it back to you
By now, you should've somehow, realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody, feels the way I do, about you now
Backbeat, the word is on the street, that the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure, you've heard it all before, but you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody, feels the way I do, about you now
And all the roads we walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I, would like to say to you, but I don't know how
Because maybe, you're gonna be the one who saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall
For more songs and chants, click HERE.
For more information on supporters, click HERE.
