Minnesota Aurora FC has been a powerhouse in the USL W League since its inaugural 2022 season: three Heartland Division titles, an undefeated regular season record and an astounding 162-23 goal differential. 

But for all the dominance, one milestone remains just out of reach: winning it all and being crowned W League champions.  

Aurora came closest in its debut season, hosting the Final in front of a sellout crowd of 6,489 at TCO Stadium, only to fall 2-1 in extra time to South Georgia Tormenta FC. 

“That championship was tough. We still talk about it sometimes,” Aurora midfielder Mariah Nguyen said. “It just lights a fire under all of us to actually bring it home.” 

Nguyen is part of a special core of six returning players who have been with the club since day one. Alongside Jelena Zbiljic, Taylor Kane, and the Rapp triplets — Cat, Elizabeth, and Rami — the group has carried Aurora through all its highs and lows. 

Aurora returned to the postseason the past two years and saw back-to-back eliminations by the hands of Central Conference foe Indy Eleven, which won the title in 2023. And as Aurora prepares for the 2025 season, the return of this original group signals a commitment to stick to its principles to see the job through. 

“I think we just grow from every year,” Zbiljic said, “and since year one, everything has been game by game. We never really stress about the postseason. It’s always ‘We need to win the next game. We need to do well on the road. We need to do all these other things to get to postseason.’”  

Nguyen and Zbiljic point to the team’s preparation and culture as the foundation for their continued success. Their preseason calendars are already marked with matchups against tough opponents, specifically hosting Indy Eleven on May 11. 

That professional approach, along with the unique community connection, is what keeps Nguyen and Zbiljic coming back season after season. Aurora owns the W League regular and postseason attendance records, with home matches at TCO Stadium regularly drawing thousands. 

“Having these little girls look up to you, it makes us feel so special,” Zbiljic said. “We’re both from Minnesota. There was no women’s soccer team that we could really support when we were little. 

“The fans just make a huge difference. To play in front of 7,000 people in a packed stadium, people wearing your jersey. We have a supporter's group. They have custom chants for girls on the team. It’s just so special.” 

As the core prepares for another season, many know this could be their last. Zbiljic, who just wrapped up her collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, reflected on the shift from being guided by veteran leaders to becoming one herself. 

“It’s very different to go from being the young one who’s getting mentored by these amazing leaders like Sarah Fuller,” said Zbiljic, “to going through a bunch of seasons, going through coaching changes, and just have this whole different perspective of how we can help the younger people, so that when we’re done, they can carry on the culture, the legacy, everything that Minnesota Aurora stands for.”