Members of 2020 Partners sketched out a plan to urge Mayor Betsy Hodges to shake off political opposition to the proposed soccer facility near the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

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.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority plans to build a two-way bike lane along the south side of the stadium with aims to encourage ridership.

With a host of issues like light rail ridership and civic pride on the line, Hennepin County officials are keeping their powder dry in the event that they can find an opening to advance a Minnesota Vikings stadium plan.