Sioux Falls City Football Club lays solid foundation in first year

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) — Sioux Falls City FC haven’t played like a team that’s only been together for a few months. Having won four of their seven games and being 4th in the WPSL Northern Conference, it was more than a successful first season for the team.

But that success started early in the planning stages of City’s existence, as head coach Dale Wiler said the staff decided what qualities they wanted to see in their players.

“We had a lot of meetings before discussing who we are, what is important. What is the makeup of a Sioux Falls City player, what are our core values. Weiller said.

Like the rest of the team, Taylor Thomas said they don’t know what awaits them in their first season together.

“One that we didn’t know, like quite what to expect. But it’s been a great performance so far. I feel like the longer we’ve been together, the closer we’ve grown on and off the pitch. It certainly helped us. said Thomas.

For McKenna Lehman, this is his first real experience of playing with university players. The recent high school graduate and St. Thomas pledge said it was daunting at first, but it was eye-opening.

“Going to this college level after high school is completely different. But it was very welcoming, and just because of the girls, everything was great. said Lehman.

Thomas and Lehman said they knew the lack of team experience would be a big hurdle to overcome. They therefore appreciate the advice of their coaches, as well as their experiences as players.

“The other teams in our league, they’ve been together for quite a while. So that was definitely something we had to overcome. And honestly, we’re still getting by. It takes a long time to build that chemistry. said Thomas.

“I think we have a good style of play that Coach Dale has etched in our minds so far. Everyone has been pretty smart with that and has been able to play together as one,” Lehman said.

“They’re very determined to step back and say, ‘Hey, what do you think? Or talking with their teammates, ‘Hey, there was that moment. Why didn’t it work well or how could we improve next time? Or say it was a great moment, let’s keep doing it. Weiller said.

All these efforts to build a culture are not short-term. Weiler said the team’s vision is always looking to the future. It means taking the next step forward for the team means a solid foundation is needed now.

“The club’s vision in five to ten years is to have professional football here. I’ve said that many times I know. But knowing that, they have a sense of responsibility to say, ‘Hey, sometimes it’s taller than me.”,” Weiler said.

As of now, City have just one game left in their inaugural season. But regardless of the outcome, it was a success on and off the pitch.

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