Que Noche, Familia. What a Night.
Que Noche, Familia. What a Night.
Minnesota Aurora FC Opens 2026 USL W League Season With a Statement
Thursday, May 21st at TCO Stadium in Eagan — 3,724 fans showed up expecting a season opener. What they got was a statement. Minnesota Aurora FC didn't just win their first match of the 2026 USL W League season. They announced themselves. Final score: Minnesota Aurora 6, Rochester FC 0. A paliza for the ages.
Manager Jen Larrick set the tone with her trusted 4-4-2 formation — organized, disciplined, and ready to attack with purpose. Aurora built methodically from the back, with centerback Kalo Iongi and the backline controlling the tempo from the first whistle, giving Rochester absolutely nothing to work with.
Then came Ai Kitagawa. Dios mío. The midfielder from Memphis delivered one of the most electric home debut performances TCO Stadium has ever seen — a hat trick spanning the 9th, 25th, and 61st minutes. Her first? A deft finish under the crossbar off a wide delivery from outside back Capriel Winder, who was set up by the composed Kyra Karfonta threading through the middle. Picture perfect.
Hannah Boughton added a clinical finish inside the left post in the 44th minute off a sharp ball from Flavie Dubé, sending Aurora into halftime up 3-0 and the crowd absolutely buzzing. The second half was no different. Jeanette Fieldsend, a halftime substitute, made her presence felt immediately — scoring in the 56th minute, slipping the ball right through the keeper. Then she set up Talia Coury for a debut one-touch finish in the 64th. Tres goles in eight minutes. Brutal.
And behind it all, goalkeeper Taylor Fox. Untroubled. Commanding. A clean sheet in your season opener is a message to every club in the league.
Nuestra Aurora is back, Familia. And they are not playing games. ¡Vámonos!
Vida y Deportes | worldcupstreetfair2026.com | Hugo Hativa
