For the first time in 2026 Minnesota Aurora hits the pitch, albeit in an unofficial capacity. After a long offseason and just a single week of training the four-time defending Heartland Division champions head to Kansas City, MO. Awaiting them at Riverside stadium is Kansas City Current II, whom Aurora defeated 2–0 last season. That match was Aurora's second friendly of 2025 and gave the side more available players for the match.
While only around half the roster was in Minnesota as of Wednesday, manager Jen Larrick stated that more players would be coming in each day. Defender/Midfielder Jelena Zbiljic also alluded to more players coming in before Saturday afternoon's match. Zbiljic herself is the biggest visible missing piece to Aurora as she is still recovering from ACL surgery. Though she is expected to be helping out from the sideline as a longtime voice and veteran of the club.
Kansas City Current II have a very different structure to their roster than Aurora. Current II are made up of a healthy mix of graduated college players trying to break into the pro squad and incoming college freshman from the Kansas City area. That combination allows Current II to play a long schedule that started in late March and ends in early August after 18 matches played. Through three matches played Current II are 3-0-0 and have outscored their opponents, including two Division II teams, a combined 14–3.
News & Notes
This is Aurora's first of two preseason matches before beginning USL W League play in two weeks time.
It is expected that not all of Aurora's players will have arrived in time for the match. As of Wednesday there were only roughly a dozen players in Minnesota.
Aurora has only two returning players this season and is heavily made up of outgoing seniors. Marking a huge change from the longtime core of the club as those players have gone pro or moved on following university.
Today's match against Kansas City Current II kicks off at 12pm and can be watched on the Kansas City Current app.
Minnesota Aurora faces WPSL powerhouse Salvo SC in that match their only home friendly next Saturday at 7pm in Eagan at TCO Stadium.
