Photo Gallery: Minnesota TwinStars v FC Minneapolis
Minnesota TwinStars FC 1-0 FC Minneapolis
Neither team could create many attacking opportunities, the TwinStars goal came after the FC Minneapolis goalkeeper made a mistake while dribbling the ball and Oscar Morales was able to gather the ball and score
Photo Gallery: Minnesota TwinStars v Granite City FC
Minnesota TwinStars FC 4-1 Granite City FC (UPSL Premier)
Granite City’s goal came off of a penalty after goalie Balakiyem Katanga ran into one of Granite City’s attackers in the box.
The TwinStars scored 4 goals after the Granite City goalie was pulled due to a possible concussion. No substitute goalkeeper was available, so an outfield player subbed in. Sebastian Bocanegra had a brace for the TwinStars, scoring the 1st and 3rd goal – the 3rd being a 40 yard shot placed in the top left corner.
Photo Gallery: Aurora 2 vs St. Croix SC
United Premier Soccer League
Aurora 2 defeated St. Croix SC on Saturday at a home game at Augsburg University’s Edor Nelson Field. Here are our photos from the pitch.
Gallery: Aurora 2 vs Lakeville SC
United Premier Soccer League
Under the cover of rain clouds, Aurora 2 fell to Lakeville SC 0-1 in their home opener on Wednesday evening at Augsburg University’s Edor Nelson Field. Here are our photos from the pitch.
MN Blizzard host Vlora FC in an early season Amateur Cup test
Burnsville-based Vlora FC make the short trip to Eagan to face Lakeville-based Minnesota Blizzard FC as this regionalized, national tournament makes its opening visit to Minnesota for this year.
Vlora operates a UPSL squad, but they entered the draw as Minnesota Amateur Soccer League members. In that league, they finished third in the third division and won promotion to the second division for this upcoming season. They are two games into their UPSL season and are currently 2-0 with a 2-1 win over FC Minneapolis at home followed by a 5-0 drubbing of Rochester FC on the road. The squad will presumably be more UPSL than MASL because the latter schedule clashes with this match.
Minnesota Blizzard reserves also play in the third division of the MASL, and share a player pool with the first team NPSL squad from which the club will select their USAC squad. This match is the season debut for the team from the South Metro, who will follow up with a friendly against Wisconsin Conquerers. The NPSL season begins May 17th against Sioux Falls Thunder FC.
The US Amateur Cup has been played since 1923. The country is divided into the four regions of the United States Adult Soccer Association. There's a fuller explanation here, but for our purposes, it's only relevant that Northland falls in Region 2. 24 teams enter in the first round, and those winners face another round before the 6 left standing are joined by Milwaukee Torrent and Bavarian United for the quarter-finals. Torrent and Bavs received seeded entry because of their progress in last year's tournament.
The ultimate winners of Region 2 win the Bill Davey Cup and qualify for a national semifinal against one of the other three regions' winners. Whoever emerges from the national semifinals and the final the same weekend takes the National Amateur Cup title and a guaranteed spot in the 2026 US Open Cup.
So 5 wins (or 2, if you're the Milwaukee clubs) and you get a trophy. 7 (or 4) and you get a second trophy and qualification for a third.
Check back after the game for a photo gallery from the game by our Photography Director, Michael Lake.
Duong and Parten the MVPs in the Post Season awards
The USL W League and UPSL leagues have announced their postseason awards this week, led by Katie Duong, who was named Heartland Conference Player of the Year. It is the latest and last award in the glittering pre-professional stage of her career. Having been drafted in the fourth round by her hometown Portland Thorns in NWSL this year, she has been named to the inaugural roster of DC Power, the Washington club in the other Division 1 league, USL Super League. This last regular season, Duong scored 9 times in 10 starts.
In the UPSL, Berit Parten of NOSC Blast was named Midwest West Conference Most Valuable Player ahead of her freshman season at the University of Iowa, with a Golden Boot worthy 20 goals. She leads the line for the First Team selections with Aurora 2's Ava Westlund (also formerly of NOSC). The midfield is composed of players from four different clubs in Anna Tobias from Superior City, Ayah Makled from Aurora, Mehjan Przybilla from NOSC and Minnesota TwinStars' Ryane Cash. The defensive selections are GK Lauren McAlpine, Ruthie Gyasi and Julia Freed from NOSC, Aurora's Kiera Laney and Gwendolyn Lilly from Superior City. The Coach of the Year is NOSC's Josh Okoampa.
The second team sees St Croix Legacy's Alena Miller in goal, backed by a diverse defense: Sydney Kubes of Northern Tide, Lili Wade of Granite City, Bailey Dodds of Aurora and Caroline Lauinger of NOSC. The midfield selections are Luka Johnson of Aurora, Lili Linquist of Tide, Emilia McGiffert of Superior City and Nora Helvig of NOSC. The line is lead by Agatha Nimene of TwinStars and Mandy Elton of Aurora.
Stay tuned to this site for coverage of the inaugural USL Super League season and other women's professional football.
Photo Gallery: Aurora 2 vs NOSC Blast (UPSL Women Conference Championship)
United Premier Soccer League
After a 1-1 tie at full-time, NOSC Blast eventually defeated Aurora 2 in the UPSL Women Conference Championship 2-1 in overtime on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at TCO Stadium. Here are our pictures from the pitch.
[Editor’s Note: Apologies for the delay in getting this gallery posted – a computer failure delayed our photo processing for most of the week.]
UPSL-W Spotlight: NOSC Blast defeat Aurora 2 to raise conference trophy
On Sunday, MN Aurora FC 2 concluded their inaugural year with their first and only loss of the season, falling 2-1 to NOSC Blast (and the league's leading goal scorer) late in extra time. While Aurora 2 was not able to lift the championship trophy at TCO Stadium (now an unsavory tradition for the franchise), the club remains proud and hopeful of its continued success.
With Blast matching Aurora's results throughout the summer, ending the regular season with an identical 9-0-2 (W-L-D) record but a lower goal differential, Aurora head coach Mandy Pochabradsky expected - and wanted - a final showcasing the best against the best.
"We expected them to be good with the ball, which they were, and that's something we anticipated from the first match [of the season] to this match," she said following the game. "They had a couple of new players that were able to come in, which was good to see. And at the end of the day, we wanted to have our best group against their best group. I think that's what makes for the most entertaining and worthwhile games."
Despite a heat advisory and glaring sun, a few hundred fans took advantage of the free admission to enjoy one last game in Eagan before moving on with their summer. While it was a low scoring game, both teams played a fast-paced first half in which both goalkeepers, Bayliss Flynn of Aurora and Lauren McAlpine of Blast, each registered a handful of saves and close calls in the first half hour.
It wasn't until the 34th minute that Aurora finally found the first goal. Starting forward Ava Westlund received a ball from Maya Dempsey, broke through traffic in the box, catching McAlpine off her line, and sent a shot under the back-stepping keeper. The 1-0 lead (and Westlund's 15th goal of the season) deserved a little extra flair.
The lead did not last for long, however. In stoppage time before the half, Jessica Eischens sent a shot on frame, well wide of where Flynn was tracking another runner, leveling the match just before the whistle.
While both teams made a few changes going into the second half, Blast had the impact sub. Berit Parten, the league's leading scorer with 18 goals in the regular season, sat out the first half. It only took the casual viewer ten minutes into the second half to see why she was held back. Despite putting their own fresh legs into action, Aurora was caught flat-footed repeatedly by Parten's late runs. She would hold back in midfield as her team's attack developed before committing to run and would then charge right into each defender, finding every gap. But for 45 minutes, Aurora's midfield and backline held her off and found ways to disrupt the developing runs. When that didn't work, Flynn made some massive saves to keep Aurora in the game.
The entire final half hour of regulation felt like a golden goal moment, but they remained locked up at 1-1, sending the match into extra time (two 15-minute periods). Finally, in the 115th minute (the 25th minute of extra time), there was a goal - by Parten.
Goalkeeper Bayliss Flynn described Parten's freekick and Blast's efforts leading up to it:
"They just had so many numbers right at the top of the box and then they would draw us. We had a lot of fouls and that's hard not to do when it's such a physical back and forth match. And then on that freekick - I already watched the video back and the wall was good. It was an amazing strike and just curved right."
Blast held on to the lead for the remaining five minutes of extra time and the vistiors' bench erupted at the final whistle. A long, tough game that had everything a championship final should have - heat (literal and metaphorical), tension, exciting plays, a late decision to end even play.
Aurora 2 walked away with the runners-up trophy but left everything else on the field.
"This team had never played together before May 6," Pochabradsky reflected. "So to come into such a quick season and get them to adapt and, as I told them at the end, we took care of the process. The results don't always follow but continuing to take care of the process will get them in the direction that they want to go."
UPSL-Women Spotlight: Aurora 2 extends unbeaten inaugural season into championship game
Minnesota Aurora FC 2 remains unbeaten in their inaugural season with a win on Friday night against Superior City FC. Aurora 2, the 1st seed in the Midwest West, hosted 4th seed Superior with an appearance in the conference final on the line.
Aurora 2 | 4-1 | Superior
Aurora 2 opened the scoring early when Ellie Primerano received a ball on the run from Mandy Elton in the 5th minute and beat Superior goalkeeper, Katelyn Olson, with a shot to the far post. Ava Westlund doubled the lead in the 16th, with an assist by Primerano. The trio of Primerano, Elton, and Ava Westlund, had a natural chemistry in Aurora's offense from the first game but seemed to improve with every match. The three have scored a combined 30 goals in the regular season, out of the club's total, 45.
The squads traded midfield runs and shots that tested both keepers (Olson for SCFC and Bayliss Flynn for Aurora 2) until Superior finally found a breakthrough in the 32nd minute. Molly Henderson's goal was a long time coming as, after forcing some Flynn to make a number of saves, she was finally able to beat Flynn and hammer a ball into the net. The score remained 2-1 at halftime.
The second half began slowly, with legs beginning to feel the pace of the first half and the weight of the humidity. While Aurora had nearly a full squad in reserve (nine players total), Superior brought only four available subs and were forced to pick and choose their moments to sub players. Last ditch defense by Superior through the first 25 minutes denied a handful of run-of-play chances from Aurora, forcing the hosts to take three consecutive corner kicks. Aurora capitalized on the third, served in by Aleah Treiterer in the 70th minute to Bailey Dodds.
Ten minutes later, Primerano notched a brace, this time assisted by Westlund, a banger of a goal that made it a 4-1 game. Superior nearly benefited from some chaos in front of Aurora's goal in stoppage time but Flynn and her backline smothered the chance and held on to the 4-1 lead until the final whistle.
"It was a good game," said Aurora 2 head coach Mandy Pochobradsky. "They challenged us in ways that we weren't necessarily expecting or anticipating but, to see the players be able to adapt and grow together and I think that's the momentum we want to take moving forward."
Aurora 2 v. NOSC Blast
That momentum will be tested by Sunday's opponent, NOSC Blast. Blast finished the regular season in second place, tied with Aurora 2 on record and points but behind on goal differential (Blast +36, Aurora +38).
The clubs faced off once this season, on May 29th, fighting their way to a 1-1 draw. That was the only match in which Aurora 2 scored just one goal. Aside from that proven defense, the Blast boast the league's leading goal scorer, Berit Parten, who tallied 18 goals in the regular season. (Ava Westlund's 13 goals put her in a three-way tie for second behind Parten.)
On Sunday, Aurora 2 hopes to have an edge, hosting the match at TCO Stadium rather than at Concordia. Aurora will continue their campaign to make soccer more accessible by offering free admission to all who wish to attend. The franchise sent this statement to community members and media on Saturday:
"To make soccer accessible for everyone, admission to the match will be free. No tickets are required for entry. Fans are encouraged to consider a donation of $10 per person to support Aurora and the growth of soccer in Minnesota.
As part of the club's commitment to fostering talent and nurturing young players, Aurora 2 provides a platform for emerging athletes to showcase their skills and develop within a highly competitive soccer environment."
Whatever the result, the match played in front of what has the potential to be the largest crowd for a UPSL Women's game this season will be a positive end to the season. If Aurora 2 win on Sunday, they will lift the franchise's first trophy - a long awaited moment at TCO Stadium, where the senior team has suffered only one loss in three seasons.
Minnesota Aurora FC 2 will kickoff against NOSC Blast at 5 PM CT on Sunday, July 14. Follow Northern Lights Football for live coverage.
Photo Gallery: Aurora 2 vs Superior City FC (UPSL Women Conference Semifinals)
United Premier Soccer League
Minnesota Aurora 2 (4) defeated Superior City FC (1) on Friday night in the UPSL Women Conference Semifinal match at Humboldt High School in St. Paul. Here are our photos from the pitch.
Aurora 2 moves on to the Conference Championship match at 5pm on Sunday evening at TCO Stadium, where admission will be free to all attendees.
Gallery: Aurora 2 vs Tonka Fusion Elite 2
United Premier Soccer League
Here are our photos from the Aurora 2 vs Tonka Fusion Elite 2 game on June 27th at Concordia in St. Paul.
UPSL Men's Playoff Final: 18x26 Academy v St Paul Blackhawks
18x26 Academy 2-1 St Paul Blackhawks
After a postseason of upsets, 18×26 seized the trophy for UPSL Men’s Midwest West Premier Division and moved on to play in the National bracket against Dodge City Toros of the Midwest South at the weekend.
All photos by Jason Morales Ortiz.
UPSL Men's Spotlight: Midwest West Playoff Semi-Finals
With the regular season in the books, the top four teams from the Midwest West conference of UPSL men’s premier division fought it out for the one spot in the national bracket.
Minneapolis City SC 2-4 18×26 Academy
The #1 seed bowed out in the first round, with Awes A Qasim, Jabril M Mohamud, Abdirahman Shariff Hassan and Assem S Elsayad all scoring for 18×26. Mitchel Munzing and Carter Hermanson scored for the Rookery.
St Croix Legends II 2-3 St Paul Blackhawks
Continuing with the theme of road upsets, the #3 seeded Blackhawks made the short trip East and came away with a win. Caspar A Olseth, Samuel C Hoyt and Liam K Hafenbrack had the goals for the ‘hawks, whose progress was no doubt aided by St Croix finishing the game with 9 men (Perry Blay and Agostino Quadrio Curzio both got second yellow cards)
Asher B Ozuzu had the Legends’ goals.
UPSL Women's Gallery: June 23 2024
UPSL Women's Gallery
This week we have photos from Northern Tide’s 3-2 win over Minnesota TwinStars and Minnesota Aurora 2’s 7-0 demolition of St Croix Legacy II.
UPSL Men's Spotlight: Minneapolis City Futures U21 v Worthington Community FC
UPSL Men's Spotlight: Minneapolis City SC U21 v Worthington Community FC
Saturday 18th:
18×26 Academy 4-1 Granite City FC
Worthington Community FC 2-1 FC Minneapolis
Austin Villa FC 2-1 Minneapolis City U21
Sunday 19th:
Leon FC 8-2 Superior City FC
St Croix Legends II 2-0 St Paul Blackhawks
Saturday 25th:
St Paul Blackhawks 7-1 Austin Villa FC
Superior City FC 1-5 Vlora FC
Saturday Spotlight – Minneapolis City U21 4-3 Worthington Community FC
Two goals from Mizael Harris and solos from Carter J Hermanson and Tomas S Menna proved the difference for ten men City against the Toros, who got goals from Miguel M Perdomo, Juani Mackrey and Jonathan A Banegas.
Sunday 26th:
FC Minneapolis 2-3 18×26 Academy
Granite City FC 0-7 Leon FC
Wednesday 29th:
Vlora FC 1-0 Granite City FC
Leon FC 4-0 FC Minneapolis
Austin Villa 0-1 St Croix Legends II
18×26 Academy 3-5 Minneapolis City SC Futures U21
Worthington Community FC 1-7 St Paul Blackhawks
Coming Up:
Tonight
Minneapolis City SC Futures U21 v Leon FC
Sunday
Granite City FC v Superior City FC
St Croix Legends II v Worthington Community FC
Wednesday
Worthington Community FC v Austin Villa FC
18×26 Academy v St Croix Legends II
Leon FC v St Paul Blackhawks