Minnesota Soccer Teams to Compete for State Title

Local soccer programs prepare for the upcoming state tournament following successful qualification runs.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Soccer

Minnesota Soccer Teams to Compete for State Title

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The Grand Rapids and Hermantown boys soccer teams will compete in the state tournament beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27. They join the Esko and Cloquet girls soccer teams in the pursuit of a championship title.

Why it matters

These appearances mark significant milestones for regional programs, including the return of Grand Rapids to the state stage for the first time since 2005. The tournament format challenges all participants, as it includes no consolation bracket to provide a second chance after a loss.

Grand Rapids and Hermantown boys soccer teams secured the No. 6 seed for the state bracket. Meanwhile, the Cloquet girls team enters the tournament as the No. 8 seed.

The players

Grand Rapids

This high school boys soccer program makes its first state tournament appearance since 2005.

Hermantown

The boys soccer team returns to the state tournament for the first time since 2015.

Esko

The girls soccer team enters the tournament as the top-seeded program in the state bracket.

Cloquet

The girls soccer program qualified for the state tournament as a No. 8 seed.

The details

Teams earned their spots through section tournament play and were assigned seeds based on their rankings. The tournament will move from initial rounds at various high school sites to U.S. Bank Stadium for the semifinals and championship games.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Grand Rapids and Cloquet play first round games.
Thursday, Oct. 29: Esko and Hermantown play first round games.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Boys state semifinal matches.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Girls state semifinal matches and boys third-place matches.
Saturday, Nov. 7: State championship matches.

Season Trajectory

The tournament appearance by Grand Rapids breaks a long-standing drought dating back to 2005. This shift significantly alters the competitive landscape for these regional programs as they move toward the semifinal stages at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The absence of a consolation bracket means that every match beginning Oct. 27 is an elimination game for the participating squads. Winners from the opening rounds will advance directly to the semifinal matches held at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The takeaway

The intensity of the single-elimination format places immense pressure on players to perform during their opening matches. Teams looking to secure a championship must maintain perfect focus, as one loss ends their season immediately.