Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The Minnesota Aurora FC home opener is Thursday night and the pre-professional team is helmed by new head coach and sporting director Colette Montgomery.

 against RKC Third Coast dovetails Minnesota’s Professional Women’s Hockey team clinching the inaugural Walter Cup championship Wednesday in Lowell, Mass., as well as heightened attention on professional women’s basketball over the last few months.

“We know that Minnesota is a great market for women’s sports, and we’re excited to be a part of that,” Montgomery told MPR News on Thursday.

Montgomery moved to Minnesota about 20 years ago for an internship and never left. Over time, she became increasingly ingrained in the local soccer community, including coaching at North Central University in Minneapolis. Montgomery is now embarking on her first season with the Aurora after the team’s first coach 

Nicole Lukic departed for a position with U.S. Soccer

“I think the game is growing globally. I think the U.S. Women’s National Team has been a major part of pioneering the way that we see that in the World Cups. And we’ll probably see this year in the Olympics, just putting women’s soccer particularly on the map,” Montgomery said. The work of “multiple women over many generations” is now putting women’s sports “in the forefront.” 

Lukic’s years with the Aurora laid a solid foundation for Montgomery to build upon. Her coaching style, she said, is “a collaborative, positive environment to create where we’re empowering and equipping these young women to make decisions and really play an entertaining game of soccer.” 

Minnesota Aurora eyes going pro in women's soccer

Former Minnesota Aurora coach reflects on winning season

Right now, the Aurora have depth in every position and will focus on an organized, disciplined defense coupled with “relentless” offense. 

“We want to entertain the crowd and score lots of goals. And that’s really been our objective from day one,” Montgomery said.

The Aurora remains undefeated in regular season games since the 

’s founding in 2022. Thursday’s home opener is the third game of this season; the Aurora were victorious over the Chicago Dutch Lions and had a draw against River Light FC. Last year, 

 — Aurora 2 — in the United Premier Soccer League to foster young talent. 

“I just love seeing young women grow and develop and be the best that they can be not just in the soccer environment, but in life as well,” Montgomery said. 

Sports

Shows

Morning Edition

NewsPartners

Homepage

On Air

Minnesota Aurora FC

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Gracie  Stockton

Author

Colette Montgomery moved to Minnesota about 20 years ago for an internship and never left. She is now embarking on her first season with the Minnesota Aurora FC.

New Aurora coach preps for home opener as women's sports command spotlight

Minnesota Aurora midfielder Arianna Del Moral celebrates 

New Aurora coach preps for home opener as women’s sports command spotlight

Go Deeper.

Like this?