The Dark Clouds: Minnesota's most loyal soccer supporters.

This week's cover story follows the history of the Dark Clouds, Minnesota United FC's diehard soccer supporters.

On May 4, we met the Dark Clouds at the Nomad World Pub as they prepared for Minnesota's evening match against the Carolina Railhawks. Once properly lubricated, the group marched down Cedar Avenue to the Metrodome, singing, chanting, and frightening the occasional passerby. Watch video of the day here, by City Pages art director Abbey Kleinert:

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Dark Clouds: Embedded with Minnesota's misfit fans

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Some think Aries behavior crossed the line from playing the heel to sexual harassment.

Austin Aries grew up in Milwaukee but is billed as being from Minneapolis and has spent lots of time here wrestling on the independent circuit. His rise from relative obscurity in the Midwest to the heights of professional wrestling has been remarkable -- last year, the 5'9", 35-year-old Aries won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

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But he now finds himself in hot water over an incident that happened on live national TV during the May 9 edition of TNA Impact.

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Paulsen: Not a Sergio Garcia fan.

Think hitting the delete button removes that regretted-it-as-soon-as-I-published-it tweet from the internet fossil record? Think again.

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It's a lesson Congressman Erik Paulsen is learning the hard way today as a tweet he deleted seconds after publication circulates around the internet.

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Hamburger's promising career stalled thanks to a "performance enhancing drug" -- not steroids, but ganja.

Think marijuana is a harmless drug? We mostly agree. But if you're looking for a sad pot-related story, look no further than the tale of 26-year-old Mounds View grad Mark Hamburger.

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Two years ago, Hamburger, a former Twins prospect, pitched five games for the Texas Rangers. His future seemed bright, and millions of dollars of income looked to be in his short-term future. But then he tested positive for pot. And then, this winter, he tested positive again.

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Our teams might not be very good, but we mostly love 'em anyway.

Sports, sports, sports -- is your whole life just sports?

SEE ALSO: Former Viking Ray Edwards's last two boxing matches have been unintentionally hilarious [VIDEOS]

Well, if it is, you're living in one of the right places. According to a study put together by Nerd Wallet, Minneapolis is the county's 6th-best sports city.

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Collins: "Being gay is not a choice... The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family."

Today, NBA player Jason Collins became the first major male professional athlete to come out of the closet.

SEE ALSO: Torii Hunter: It would be "difficult and uncomfortable" to play with gay teammate

In a Sports Illustrated cover feature, Collins, a 14-year veteran who spent the 2008-09 season with the Timberwolves, writes: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."

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As one YouTube commenter writes, "As a Minnesotan, I approve this ad."

For Vikings fans, the new Madden NFL 25 commercial may end up being more fun than the actual game.

SEE ALSO: Cute Vikings fans photobombed at Lambeau by middle finger-flipping Packers backer [PHOTO]

That's because it shows a whole bunch of players -- including Adrian Peterson -- kicking 12 or 13 different kinds of dog crap out of the Packers' defense.

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Minnesota United fans literally banging the drum for their team.

Minnesota United FC took home its first victory of the season Saturday afternoon, beating Edmonton 2-0 at the Metrodome.

It was the team's second game since rebranding from the Stars (they tied against San Antonia two weeks ago). Forward Simone Bracalello scored 31 minutes into the game on a penalty shot, and midfielder Lucas Rodriguez secured the win in the 74th minute.

The game also marked a small victory for Minnesota's most diehard fans -- called the Dark Clouds -- who hold a friendly, season-long competition with Edmonton, explains Dark Clouds member Wes Burdine.

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Minnesota United FC signs anti-homophobia pledge
Minnesota Stars change name to "Minnesota United FC"

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A dozen players and two coaches signed the Athlete Ally pledge.

Minnesota's second-division soccer team is now the latest organization to join the push for equality in sports.

The majority of Minnesota United FC -- including 12 players, head coach Manny Lagos, and assistant coach Carl Craig -- recently signed on as ambassadors for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that promotes tolerance in sports. Created in January 2011, the organization's board counts Ravens linebacker and outspoken gay rights activist Brendan Ayanbadejo, as well as Minnesota United President Nick Rogers.

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Cover: Game Changer: Chris Kluwe is prying open America's last closet
Minnesota Stars change name to "Minnesota United FC"

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Here's all you need to know before Saturday night's game.

Only six months ago, it seemed unlikely that Minnesota's second-division soccer team would even see a 2013 season. Yet here we are, one day away from the home opener, with a new team owner, new name, and new logo.

Given all that's happened since last fall, when Minnesota -- then called the Stars -- took second place in the National American Soccer League championship, we feel a refresher is in order. Here's a quick recap before Saturday night's game.

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MN Stars last-minute goal captured in amazing photo
MN Stars new ownership deal could be days away

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