Featured image by Lone Star National Team
Earlier this month, Go Team Liberia spoke with Liberian philanthropist and co-founder Francis Tyler about her organization Strengthening African Resilience towards Excellence (SARX) and its highly anticipated July 26 football match between Minnesota United FC and the Liberia Lone Star National Team.
Francis Tyler planned to host the match as a celebration of Liberian heritage, sports, and community.
“Our goal was to use our organization as a vehicle to promote physical activity and community engagement,” Tyler said, “What better way than to use sports to inspire young people, to use July 26 to engage with our culture, to show our passion for soccer.”
Unfortunately based on issues with obtaining visas for select Lone Star team members and officials, the match was canceled.
Please read the official press release sent from SARX.
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Brooklyn Park, MN July 15, 2026 – Strengthening African Resilience towards Excellence (SARX) regrets to announce that the international friendly match between the Liberia Lone Star National Football Team and Minnesota United FC, scheduled for July 26, 2026, at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has been canceled.
The decision follows the denial of United States entry visas for several key members of the Liberian national team and official delegation. Despite months of planning and extensive efforts by all parties involved to make this historic event possible, it has become clear that the necessary travel requirements cannot be completed in time for the match to proceed.
“We are deeply disappointed by this outcome. This event represented more than a football match; it was an opportunity to celebrate Liberia’s independence, showcase Liberian talent on a global stage, strengthen ties with the Diaspora, and bring communities together through the power of sports,” says Executive Director Wynfred Russell.
SARX extends its sincere appreciation to Minnesota United FC, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Liberia Football Association, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and the many individuals who dedicated their time, energy, and resources to making this event possible. “We also thank the thousands of fans who purchased tickets, planned to attend, and supported this vision from the beginning,” Russell concluded.
Although this event will not move forward as planned, SARX remains committed to its mission of strengthening communities through sports, education, and cultural engagement. They remain hopeful that future opportunities will allow Liberia’s national team to compete in Minnesota under more favorable circumstances.
About SARX
Strengthening African Resilience towards Excellence (SARX) is a Brooklyn Park based nonprofit focused on promoting health, education and empowerment in African immigrant communities across Minnesota.