MINNEAPOLIS, MN – For Andrea Yoch, the journey into the heart of Minnesota’s burgeoning soccer scene has been one of breaking barriers and building from the ground up. As the founder and executive of the Minnesota Aurora, the state’s first-ever semi-professional women’s soccer team, Yoch isn’t just leading an organization; she’s pioneering a movement long overdue.

Yoch’s career in sports spans decades, a landscape where she often found herself as the sole woman in the room. “I’ve been working in sports since I was 19, but for a long time I’ve been the only woman in whatever area I was in—radio, newspaper, business,” she reflects. While acknowledging the support of her male mentors, she emphasizes the unique perspective she brings. “There are some things men don’t know about being a woman in sports. Being able to create an environment to help players with what they want to do after soccer means a huge amount to me. I didn’t have that. I look forward to providing that to the next generation.”

The genesis of the Aurora was a blend of experience and opportune timing. Having spent 10-20 years immersed in the soccer world, including her time with Minnesota United FC and involvement in international men’s and women’s tournaments, Yoch witnessed the growing passion for the women’s game firsthand. “A few of us were chatting about waiting to bring a women’s team to town—why not us?” she recalls. That simple question sparked an investigation that quickly turned into action. “When we were investigating, we said we could do this. We don’t need to wait for anyone, and that’s when we decided to go for it.”

Yoch’s deep connection to soccer is rooted in her family history. As the daughter of immigrant parents – a Hungarian refugee father and an Irish mother who met in London before settling in America – she sees the sport as a unifying force. “I love soccer. It’s international, my parents were immigrants, and soccer is the one game that transcends country. You don’t have to explain it like hockey and American football. Soccer is the one melting pot, and I love that.” Her childhood memories of attending sporting events, particularly the communal atmosphere of Baltimore Blast indoor soccer games, fuel her vision for the Aurora: “That’s the atmosphere I want to create and invite everyone to be a part of.”

A cornerstone of the Minnesota Aurora’s identity is its community ownership model. “Pre-professional, not everyone is pro. There will be college players,” Yoch clarifies. Drawing inspiration from successful models on the men’s side, the Aurora offers fans the opportunity to own a share of the team, fostering a sense of pride and direct involvement. “Our fans can decide things like team names, team branding, those are big pieces to vote on.” This commitment to community extends to ongoing engagement. “As we grow, as things come up and make sure we are dialed in, we will put that out to vote. What do you think? Should we try this or not? Having a dedicated focus group all the time, instead of big decisions with the small group, but always reflecting with the community, which is very important for us.”

The inaugural season in the spring of 2022 was a resounding success, setting a high bar for women’s soccer in the region. 

Since their inception, the Minnesota Aurora have quickly established themselves as a dominant force in the USL W League. In their debut season, they not only captured the hearts of local fans with their exciting play and community-focused ethos but also showcased their talent on the field, reaching the USL W League Final in 2022. This early success was no fluke. The Aurora continued their stellar performance, boasting impressive regular season records and consistently competing at the top of their division. 

Key players like Morgan Turner, Mariah Nguyen, and Kelsey Kaufusi quickly became fan favorites, demonstrating exceptional skill and leadership. Beyond their on-field achievements, the Aurora have fostered a passionate fanbase, consistently drawing large crowds to their matches and creating an electric atmosphere that underscores the growing appetite for women’s soccer in Minnesota. Their commitment to player development and providing a platform for aspiring professionals has also garnered significant praise within the soccer community.

Looking ahead, the landscape of the USL W League continues to evolve. There are currently nine teams in the league, each vying for supremacy and providing crucial pathways for women’s soccer talent. As the league expands, the Minnesota Aurora will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future, both on and off the pitch.

Yoch’s experience as Vice President at Minnesota United FC provided invaluable preparation for this new venture. “When I got to United, no one knew we had a team. We had to convince people to drive to Blaine. We were able to build an atmosphere that created a crowd of 12,000 people that loved to be there,” she recalls. 

That same energy and focus on community engagement are being applied to the Aurora. “We are applying that same energy towards this new venture, telling people, ‘We want you, please come,’ and not just assuming that people will show up.” Her work with the International Champions Cup (ICC) and the Women’s ICC further honed her ability to build enthusiasm for unfamiliar events. “That’s what we created with United that I want to recreate with this team.”

The overwhelming community support has been the most exhilarating aspect of building the Aurora. “When we launched, the media was supportive and excited. We had a huge launch event,” Yoch recounts. The sheer number of people who turned out for their initial event validated their vision. “We came out to the soccer field, we had so many people on the field. We were like, ‘Wow!’ All sorts of people, the representation that we had hoped for. We invited everyone, and they came excited, and they had fun, and it was all over social media. It was amazing, and it validated what we were doing, validated that we were doing the right thing, that it’s something the community wants, and that’s what continues to fuel us.”

The challenges, while present, have been navigated with careful consideration. Yoch, a self-described “let’s have an idea and let’s run with it” person, has learned the importance of meticulous planning. “This is serious and big time, so, for me, it’s taking time—attorneys are looking at language, that the franchise agreements are okay, state fair agreements, etc. Not just signing things, we have a group of smart people—business, accounting, and legal—to set up properly. We want people to trust us, so we have to be organized to do this thing.” The pro bono support from attorneys and financial professionals has been instrumental.

Yoch’s message to aspiring young girls and women in soccer and the sports industry is one of immense opportunity. “The opportunities are growing by leaps and bounds every day. If this is what you want to do on the field, in the office, with lots of jobs supporting sports, it’s possible. The world is changing.” Drawing from her own experiences, she encourages hard work, networking, and reaching out to those in the field. “To work in sports is a privilege… if you want to do it, go for it. You work really, really hard and have so much reward.”

Looking to the future, Yoch envisions a lasting impact that elevates the women’s game. “It’s treating the women’s game equally to the men’s game—not cutting corners, not treating the women as lesser than athletes. It’s treating them like they deserve to be treated.” She highlights the multifaceted nature of female athletes, who often excel as role models and pursue diverse endeavors beyond their sport. “That’s not just one thing, we do 40 things.” Ultimately, Yoch wants the Aurora to be a destination where players thrive. “I want this to be a place we want people to play. We treat players the best, coaches are the best, no one screaming in your face. We have great medical care, we want to make them feel welcomed in the Twin Cities.”

The Aurora’s approach extends beyond the traditional fan base, actively working to reach diverse communities through grassroots and mass marketing efforts. “We will never assume that people know that we are here. We will continue to hustle and work, even if it is one on one, what else would you like to see? That’s how relationships work.”

Andrea Yoch and the Minnesota Aurora are more than just a soccer team; they are a testament to vision, community, and the unwavering belief in the power and potential of women’s sports in Minnesota.Readers are encouraged to visit https://mnwoso.com/ to become community members of Minnesota women’s soccer.