Minnesota Aurora is set to step on the TCO Stadium pitch for one final time in the USL W League regular season on Saturday afternoon in Eagan. Aurora (9-0-0, 27 points) hosts Aurora, IL based River Light FC (6-0-3, 18 points) for the home rematch after facing each other in late May. Minnesota Aurora walked away from that one with a 2–0 win in Aurora, IL, extending their winning streak over River Light.
Today is something much bigger on the line, the Heartland Division title and the division's one and only playoff spot. If there is a draw or Aurora wins then Minnesota clinches their fifth consecutive Heartland title with two matches to go. In order to prevent that, River Light has to win, something that will prove hard for them to do.
River Light is a good team and has done well offensively this season scoring 19 goals in nine matches, good for an average of just over 2 goals per match. That strong offence will be needed in order to break past Aurora's top of the league defence and get the much needed win to keep the playoff hopes alive for River Light. Last time out against Minnesota that did not go to plan as Aurora did not allow a single goal in that match. Not allowing a goal is something Aurora has done in each match this season.
Defensively, River Light is in a bit of a pickle. Having given up 15 goals in nine matches. RLFC are the fifth ranked defence in the Heartland, coming behind last place RKC Third Coast in that statistic. Recent matches back this up as well, with River Light allowing seven goals in the last three matches, including five to Sioux Falls City. Shutting down Ai Kitagawa and co will prove to be easier said that done as Kitagawa has scored nine goals in as many matches this season.
News & Notes
In addition to being the home finale, today's match is also the 2026 Juneteenth match
Kickoff today is set for 4pm and the match can be seen on Fox 9+, Fox Local, and SportsEngine Play.
Should Aurora earn a playoff berth today, hosting the Central Conference Championship is not guaranteed. The first two rounds of the playoffs are played at a single site, awarded by a bidding process, not by league standings.
