After opening the season at home with a dominant 6-0 win over in state rival Rochester FC, Minnesota Aurora heads to Wisconsin for the first time in 2026. They’ll meet USL W League newcomer Rally Madison for the first time in what could very well develop into a huge rivalry. For Rally Madison it’s a huge night as they host the first home opener in club history.
Not only does Minnesota Aurora have a win under their belts, but they also have two preseason matches. Aurora went 1-1 in the preseason and showing that the squad heavy on new players is already playing like a cohesive unit. Just two nights ago Ai Kitagawa scored a hat trick as one of four players to score for Aurora against Rochester.
In her Aurora debut Taylor Fox earned a clean sheet on a night where Minnesota’s defensive effort dominated every facet of play. For much of the match the Loons were held to no shots whatsoever. That ended in the second half, but the suffocating Aurora defence prevented Rochester from ever getting a real chance at goal.
Rally Madison on the other hand lost first official match 2-1 away to River Light. Megan Murray’s goal at 90+4' was Rally's only goal of their first match. But Rally’s offence held one of the best teams in the Heartland Division to just two goals in their first match, an impressive start.
RMFC did defeat WPSL side Chicago House AC 2-0 in a preseason match, a far cry from the 5-1 drubbing handed to Salvo SC by Aurora though. A huge factor for Madison will be their home field advantage. The club has done well to sell tickets to the club’s first season and a near bumper crowd is expecte. While the match is the first official home match for Madison it is the second time at Breese Stevens Field for Aurora. They played a 2025 showcase match at the venue, where they defeated Chicago City Dutch Lions 4–0
