Karen FA player Reebar Htoo battles a Twin Stars player during their match in Maple Grove on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

The crowd was sparse but the play was fierce as the Karen Football Association women launched into a rematch with the Minnesota Twin Stars on Wednesday in Maple Grove.

The game was a chance for the KFA Women to build on recent momentum and score the first win of their inaugural season.

Karen Football Association player Paw Htee Wah steps up for a free kick during their game against the Minnesota Twin Stars on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

The KFA is one of the newest teams in the United Premier Soccer League’s Midwest-North division, and the first in the semi-professional league focused on Karen women.

Elise Her, of the Karen Football Association, charges up the pitch at Maple Grove High School during a match against the Minnesota Twin Stars on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

Players come from a range of backgrounds, from teens seeking the next step in their athletic careers to single moms looking to keep up their skills. Some dream of advancing to a professional soccer team.

Shar Too, of the Karen Football Association, returns a header during their match against the Twin Stars on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

“Many of these athletes are overcoming cultural barriers simply by playing,” KFA founder Kyle Johnson said in a UPSL press release.

The KFA also has a youth academy and teams and a men’s semiprofessional team. 

Karen FA goalkeeper Ana Esqueda Mendoza snatches the ball away from the Twin Stars during a match on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

Winless late in their season, the KFA Women were still finding their legs this year. And the rematch with the Twin Stars ended in a 3-0 loss. 

But the camaraderie was evident as the team piled off the field. 

Karen Football Association players shake hands with their Minnesota Twin Stars opponents after their match on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim|Sahan Journal

“Our vision is not Year 1 — it’s really Year 5, 6 and 7,” Johnson said as the season began. “We know that it’s going to be a learning experience. We’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to pivot a bit, we’re going to change things here and change things there.” 

The players of the Karen Football Association gather together during halftime on June 18, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

The KFA Women play two more games in June as they wrap up their season.

  • They play Vlora FC Women at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at 5 p.m. at Como Park High in St. Paul.
  • They play NOSC Blast at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, at Spring Lake Park High.

Amirah Razman contributed to this report.

Aaron Nesheim is a photojournalist at Sahan Journal. Prior to joining Sahan Journal he documented the police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright and subsequent trials of Derek Chauvin and Kim Potter...