The last time Atlanta and Minnesota played at the top flight level in American soccer was 1981 when the Atlanta Chiefs visited the old Metropolitan Stadium to face the Minnesota Kicks. In front of 15,225 on June 20, the Kicks defeated the eventual division champion Chiefs 3-2. Brian Kidd scored two goals for Atlanta in a losing effort.
The Chiefs lost by the same scoreline in 1980’s trip to the Metropolitan Stadium in front of 19,425 on August 10. In the Chiefs’ first trip to face the Kicks in 1979, 24,131 saw Minnesota legend Alan Willey scored twice in a 4-1 win for the home team.