Minnesota Aurora FC Signs Transgender Goalkeeper Isaac Ranson, Marking a Milestone in Women’s Soccer

Minnesota Aurora FC, a community-owned pre-professional club in the USL W League, announced the addition of Isaac Ranson to its roster for the upcoming season. Ranson, a transgender man who was assigned female at birth, joins Aurora as the team’s first openly trans player. The signing was confirmed in early 2024 and positions Aurora at the center of the national conversation on gender inclusion in athletics.

The Advocate

Across the United States, debates over transgender athletes have intensified. Republican-led state legislatures have introduced or passed bills requiring student-athletes to compete according to the sex listed on their birth certificates, a policy aimed primarily at transgender women and girls. These measures have sparked legal challenges and heightened public scrutiny of inclusive practices at the collegiate and professional levels.

The Advocate

• Isaac Ranson – A decorated goalkeeper who earned two Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year awards while playing for Cal State Fullerton. He left college as one of the program’s most accomplished players.

The Advocate

• Saara Hassoun – President of Minnesota Aurora FC, who has publicly affirmed the club’s commitment to an inclusive environment for all athletes.

The Advocate

• Collegiate Honors: Two-time Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year (2022, 2023).

The Advocate

• Team History: Aurora was founded in 2021 and quickly built a regional fan base, operating under a community-ownership model.

The Advocate

Ranson described a prolonged period of denial regarding his gender identity, noting that misgendering and deadnaming during practices and games caused emotional distress. After confiding in teammates, he reported a shift toward a supportive atmosphere, which he said helped him feel safe within women’s sports despite not identifying as a woman.

The Advocate

Aurora’s leadership emphasized that the organization believes every individual deserves the chance to play soccer. The club’s statement highlighted a unified effort among players, coaches, and staff to welcome Ranson and maintain a safe environment for his continued development.

The Advocate

State-level initiatives in several Republican-controlled legislatures seek to restrict transgender participation by mandating alignment with sex assigned at birth. Critics argue these bills protect fairness in competition, while advocates contend they marginalize transgender athletes and undermine inclusive values.

The Advocate

Ranson’s signing serves as a tangible example of an inclusive policy at the semi-professional level, potentially influencing other clubs and leagues. It also underscores the tension between progressive club initiatives and restrictive state legislation, highlighting the broader societal debate over gender identity in sports.

The Advocate

• “Aurora believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to play soccer, and we are glad that we are able to provide a safe environment for Isaac to continue his stellar career. Our players, coaches, and organization are unified in welcoming Isaac to Aurora,” — Saara Hassoun, Aurora club president

The Advocate

• “I was in denial about my identity,” — Isaac Ranson, goalkeeper

The Advocate

• “Every misgender felt like a stab to the heart,” — Isaac Ranson

The Advocate

• “If the people around me can accept me and love me, then I can finally accept myself,” — Isaac Ranson

The Advocate

• “I definitely feel safe to be myself in women’s sports,” — Isaac Ranson

The Advocate

• “Although I don’t identify as a woman, I still feel included. I’m proud to be part of women’s soccer because of how supportive and how much of a community it is.” — Isaac Ranson

The Advocate

Ranson will compete with Aurora in the 2024 USL W League season, providing a high-visibility case study of trans inclusion in women’s soccer. Simultaneously, legal challenges to restrictive state bills are expected to continue, keeping the national dialogue on transgender athletes active.

The Advocate