To understand why a supporters group in Minnesota is so concerned with wildfires in Alberta, one needs to look at the founding of the Flyover Cup, a yearly cup contested between the Minnesota and Edmonton soccer teams.
In 2011, The Flyover Cup began not out of spite or malice, but out of a genuine feeling of care and concern. A week before the then NSC Minnesota Stars and Edmonton FC would face off for the first time, the Slave Lake Fire devastated 12,000 acres of land in Alberta. A group of Dark Clouds got together and raised money for the people displaced from their homes.
A week later, the North Minneapolis tornado touched down on the day that Minnesota played their first game in Edmonton and the supporters group there reciprocated with a donation to help those displaced by the tornado. To honor their shared goodwill and their location in North America, the two groups started the Flyover Cup, awarded to the team that does the best in head to head competitions.
“I think the feeling has always been that people come together because the Dark Clouds are about soccer, making art, and throwing parties,” commented Jim Oliver, president of the Dark Clouds, “but once you’ve got people coming together like that not doing something positive is a wasted opportunity.”
Longtime Dark Clouds member Neal Logan spoke of the history of Dark Clouds giving: “Dark Clouds have had a longstanding charity arm: Silver Lining. Our members have supported many fundraising efforts including several natural disasters: I-35W bridge collapse; North Minneapolis tornado and previous Alberta wildfires.”
He added, “We stand with other supporters groups in their time of need and provide financial donations when possible.”
Once again, the Dark Clouds show that while supporters might be on opposite sides for the 90 minutes their teams play, there is an incredibly camaraderie and shared sense of community between supporters groups in the US and Canada.
If you are interested in helping those in need due to the Alberta wildfires, please donate to the Canadian Red Cross.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Silver Linings, the Dark Clouds charitable and volunteer wing, please check out their website for upcoming events and opportunities.
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