Changes happen all the time at the non-league level. Practically every year for every club in the country there is a rotation of new coaches, players, interns, and sometimes even management. But that last one happens to be much more rare in the American non-league game. Often at this level the front office management side of the club overlaps completely with ownership. Though that is not the case with Minnesota Aurora, who are a club set on the development of everyone involved with the club.
Coaching Moves and More
Assistant coach Eric Rossitch's move was the first, being announced by the University of Illinois before the playoffs were at an end. Rossitch heads to Champaign, IL as an assistant coach for the Illini women's soccer program. Their first friendly of the season is set for 5 Aug and first regular season match on 13 August the Georgia Bulldogs. Illinois will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers in season finale on 30 October.
Goalkeeper coach Manú Costa's move was the next one announced. Costa is headed to Colorado Springs, CO to Pride Soccer Club as their Director of Goalkeeping. Pride SC also runs the Colorado Pride club in the Women's Premier Soccer League. The Pride won the Rockies Division of the WPSL but did not participate in the WPSL Playoffs.
The most surprising move is also the most recent. Club President Saara Hassoun, who joined the club in May 2025 and was elevated to Club President in late 2025. She is now headed to Welsh women's first division side Wrexham AFC as their new General Manager of Women's Football. Wrexham is currently playing in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers following their win of the Adran Premier during the 2025-26 season.
Players Going Pro
Even though the offseason for Minnesota Aurora and USL W League has just started there is already one player set to go professional. Midfielder Flavie Dubé who came to Aurora from the Memphis Tigers has signed a contract with Czech top flight side FC Viktoria Plzeň. Viktoria Plzeň narrowly avoided relegation last season out of the FORTUNA=LIGA, finishing 7th in the eight club competition. Plzeň will open their 2026-27 season on 15 August against SK Slavia Prague.
