Former Minnesota United Coach to Lead Minneapolis City SC

Carl Craig takes over USL League 2 club after stint with Forward Madison.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Carl Craig, the former head coach of Minnesota United FC, has been named the new manager of Minneapolis City SC, a club that competes in the USL League 2. Craig previously served as the head coach of Forward Madison FC, a developmental team in a lower-division league.

Why it matters

Minneapolis City SC is one of the top semi-professional clubs in the Midwest, and Craig's hiring represents a significant move for the organization as they look to build on their recent success and develop talent. Craig's experience coaching at the MLS level with Minnesota United could help elevate the USL League 2 club.

The details

After leaving Minnesota United in 2021, Craig spent the past two seasons as the head coach of Forward Madison FC in the USL League One, a developmental league one tier below the USL Championship. In his new role with Minneapolis City SC, Craig will be tasked with continuing the club's strong performance in the USL League 2 and identifying promising young talent to potentially move up the professional ranks.

  • Carl Craig was the head coach of Minnesota United FC from 2017 to 2021.
  • Craig spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the head coach of Forward Madison FC in the USL League One.
  • On February 15, 2026, Minneapolis City SC announced that Carl Craig would be their new head coach.

The players

Carl Craig

A veteran coach with experience at the MLS and lower professional levels, Craig has now taken over as the head coach of Minneapolis City SC in the USL League 2.

Minnesota United FC

The MLS club where Carl Craig served as head coach from 2017 to 2021 before moving to a lower-division team.

Forward Madison FC

The USL League One club where Carl Craig was the head coach for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before taking the Minneapolis City SC job.

Minneapolis City SC

A semi-professional club that competes in the USL League 2, one of the top amateur/developmental leagues in the United States.

USL League 2

A pre-professional league that serves as a key stepping stone for young players aspiring to reach the professional ranks.

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What’s next

Craig will begin his tenure as Minneapolis City SC's head coach immediately, leading the team through their 2026 USL League 2 season.

The takeaway

The hiring of Carl Craig, an experienced coach with MLS experience, represents an ambitious move by Minneapolis City SC as they look to continue developing young talent and competing at a high level in the USL League 2.