They are called the Dark Clouds -- the Minnesota Thunder's drum-banging, flag-waving, chant-spewing crew of diehard fans.
They are not hipsters in search of an alternative to the Twins or Vikings; rather, they are savvy soccer fans who adopted their local team about six seasons ago. They give the home team love, give the opposition hell and provide a global soccer environment at the National Sports Center stadium in Blaine -- albeit on a smaller scale compared to frenzied fans overseas.
"It's fans like them who drive the enthusiasm and intensity during the games," said team owner Dean Johnson while visiting the Dark Clouds prematch tailgate party July 15. "We embrace them as part of the organization. They are part of what this club is."
They have made a joyful noise throughout the past three subpar seasons. This season has offered additional tests of their commitment. There was the team's in-season move from St. Paul to Blaine in May, and the announcement Tuesday that popular head coach Amos Magee was immediately stepping down.
The Thunder heads into tonight's match against Seattle in last place in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division, inching ever closer to missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
"I can't speak for everyone, but I think there's a feeling that we need to get behind the team more," said Dark Clouds member Brian Quarstad. "The players tell us, and Amos would tell us, that they can hear us and that it makes a difference."
Quarstad was among the 30 to 40 Dark Clouds who sang, chanted and cheered throughout the July 15 match against Burnley Football Club of England.
Dark Clouds are a diverse blend