Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Sports
MPR News Staff
St. Paul

After big first season, Minnesota Aurora eyes going pro in women's soccer

First game for the Minnesota Aurora women's soccer team
Minnesota Aurora forward Jill Bennett moves the ball through the Green Bay Glory defense during the first half of a USL W soccer game May 26 at TCO Stadium in Eagan, Minn. Aurora team leaders said Monday they are accelerating plans to join a professional league.
Nicole Neri for MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Following a successful first season, leaders of the Minnesota Aurora women’s soccer team said Monday they are accelerating the team’s timeline to join a professional league and are talking now to investors.

The Aurora quickly built a big fan base, averaging 5,000 fans per game and breaking attendance records at their home field, the Vikings' TCO stadium in Eagan. A sellout crowd of nearly 6,500 fans attended the final match.

The team sailed through its inaugural regular season undefeated in USL W League before losing the championship game to South Georgia Tormenta FC, 2-1.

Given the “overwhelming community support in our first year, we now have the opportunity to pursue a professional team far sooner than we initially expected,” the Aurora said in a statement Monday.

Professional soccer, team leaders added, “requires deep pockets” and involves finding higher level investors, noting that they are in the exploratory phase and that the “specifics and logistics of what a future will look like are not set at this point.”