Minnesota Stars to move into Metrodome - temporarily

The North American Soccer League is splitting its season into two halves in 2013, mostly to accommodate the expansion New York Cosmos, who have fallen behind schedule and will not be ready to play until mid-summer. The first half of this split season will begin in late February and run through June, and the second half will start in August and run late into the fall, and if you're aware of the weather in Minnesota you've already realized the problem: soccer cannot be played outdoors in Minnesota in February.

We always knew that the Stars would either have to play the first two months of the season on the road or move indoors for this portion, and Tuesday, we found out the answer: Minnesota will play the first four games of its season in the Metrodome. The Stars opened the 2012 season in the Metrodome as well, drawing nearly 8,000 fans to a 0-0 draw with Carolina.

The Stars also announced that they would be returning to the National Sports Center in Blaine for the remainder of the season. Many had speculated that the team's new owners might seek a more urban site for a portion of the team's games, but for 2013 at least, the NSC will be the Stars' home.

The 2013 schedule has yet to be announced, so the "when" is still up in the air - but now, Stars fans at least know where the games will be played.