Sporting Director and Head Coach Nicole Lukic departing Minnesota Aurora FC to lead U.S. Soccer Talent Identification for Women’s Youth National Teams

St Paul, MN, March 6, 2024 –  Minnesota Aurora FC today announces Sporting Director and Head Coach Nicole Lukic will depart at the end of March. Lukic has accepted a position with U.S. Soccer as Director of Talent Identification for Women’s Youth National Teams. 

As Aurora’s first head coach, Lukic led the team to two undefeated regular seasons and deep playoff runs. She Joined Aurora full-time in 2023, after taking on an expanded role as Sporting Director in addition to coaching duties. Lukic was named USL-W’s Coach of the Year in Aurora’s inaugural season, and was recognized as a Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree in 2024. 

“Aurora is such a special place and I’m so grateful to have spent two incredible seasons with this club,” said Lukic. “I’ll continue to be an Aurora fan forever and wish the organization all the success as I step into my next chapter with U.S. Soccer.” 

“Nicole will always have a legacy as Aurora’s first coach,” added President and COO Jessica Poole. “The mission of this club is to develop pathways for women to succeed in sport. What better example than our coach being called up to lead youth talent identification for U.S. Soccer? We’re thrilled for Nicole to take this incredible career step, and she’ll always be part of our Aurora family.”  

Lukic’s last day with the club will be on March 21. Aurora has opened a search for a new Sporting Director and Head Coach. For more information, please visit mnaurora.com. 

About Minnesota Aurora FC 

Minnesota Aurora FC is a pre-professional women’s soccer team in Minnesota. Aurora plays at TCO Stadium in Eagan, MN and competes in the USL-W League’s Heartland Division. The team has been undefeated in two regular seasons and in 2022 was named their league’s Organization of the Year. Aurora is community-owned and values-led, with a mission of developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field. For more information, visit MNAurora.com. 

About US Soccer 

Founded in 1913, the U.S. Soccer Federation has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. During that time, the sport has grown tremendously at all levels. As U.S. Soccer looks towards the future, its mission is to make soccer the preeminent sport in the United States. With a long-term and strategic approach, U.S. Soccer aims to accomplish its mission by supporting its members to increase participation at the youth and adult levels, develop world class players, coaches, and referees to consistently win at the highest levels on the international stage and serve the fans by engaging with them in deeper and more meaningful ways. For more information, visit ussoccer.com.