While the mayor has said he aims to work out project details on a tight timetable, his office doused speculation he was turning up the heat on Minnesota United.

MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said he will visit St. Paul in the coming weeks to meet with Mayor Chris Coleman, who has recently expressed interest in spearheading a stadium effort.

Advocates for the project say the Minnesota United FC stadium could boost development in Minneapolis' Near North and other nearby neighborhoods that have historically struggled to lure investors.

Bill McGuire, the former UnitedHealth Group CEO who is leading the ownership group for the new Major League Soccer team, told reporters that the group is working with the Kansas City-based Populous architecture firm on plans for an 18,500-seat stadium on a site just west of Target Field and adjacent to Interstate 94.