'The Perfect Fit': Minnesota Aurora FC Will Play Home Games At TCO Stadium
EAGAN, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota's pro football team will share its state-of-the-art facility with the state's new women's soccer team.
The Minnesota Aurora will plays its first game this spring at the Vikings' TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
It's hard to deny that soccer is having a moment in Minnesota. And in a matter of months, fans can cheer on the women of the Aurora.
It may be filled with snow now, but TCO Stadium will be filled with soccer fans for the home opener against Green Bay on May 26.
"We have an army of people out there marching for us to get us to May," said Andrea Yoch, co-founder and president of Minnesota Aurora FC.
It's a team for the community, owned by the community. The first of its kind in the pre-professional USL W league.
"It's very much lightning in a bottle. This community ownership model really allowed people who were frustrated about what was happening to the women in sports to put their money where their mouth is and say 'I want to be a part of changing that,'" said Yoch.
"It's time," said Barbara Joers, CEO of Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.
Joers invested in the team as an investment in young girls everywhere.
"What do we say, women's soccer is highly decorated but under-celebrated, and you know, good for us that we're coming together to do this," said Joers.
"The time is right for the women's team," said Clare Koppel, who invested in the team with her father, her former coach and fellow fútbol fan.
"We've been able to see kind of that growth and people respecting it more," said Koppel. "We're excited about just like that community aspect of it, too."
There are 3,080 owners from 48 states and eight countries. The average investment is $340.
"It means we've built something special and caught everybody's imagination," said Yoch.
"I think it's just going to keep growing," said Koppel.
"It's important to us and it's important to our young girls," said Joers. "They have to have role models, and this team will be a role model for sure."
Fans were able to put down $30 deposits for season tickets Thursday. Full ticket pricing will be released on March 1. We're told there will be free parking and tailgating at home games.