While male and female populations are statistically equal within our society, that does not necessarily carry over to the treatment of both genders with respect to one another in sports. Significantly more money is spent on men’s sports in the NCAA than on women’s sports, $1,670 in 2019 to be exact. In addition to the financial side of things, women are often at a disadvantage in the number of opportunities to play on either semi-professional or professional teams. With five men’s semi-pro sports teams already, Sioux Falls is finally welcoming their first women’s team: Sioux Falls City Futbol Club (SFCFC), which will join the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

Established in Sioux Falls by two couples whose children play or are planning to play collegiate women’s soccer, Emily Thomas, Eric Thomas, Melissa Nelson and Gabe Nelson are striving to fulfill their mission of “empowering women through soccer.” With the increased need for female athletic opportunities in the area, these four individuals thought this team would be the perfect way to combine their love for soccer with community involvement to elevate the game. 

Not only bringing an elite level of soccer to the area, SFCFC is also stimulating the local economy and plans on announcing further details about the club soon. The first to be released to the public is where their home games will be played, followed by the disclosure of the head coach. The last and very important details that the SFCFC founders plan to announce are the team’s colors and logo. While ironing out the last wrinkles of the team and business in general, the public waits in anticipation. 

To people unfamiliar with the WPSL, collegiate-level soccer players from schools in surrounding states will come together to compete against other semi-pro teams across a large majority of the Midwest. Without the professional label, players on WPSL teams do not get paid or receive endorsements. Thus, the desire to further their development as soccer players during their collegiate off-seasons acts as the driving force behind their motivation to become part of the team. Only a two-month season, beginning in May and ending in July, joining the team is a proactive way to stay on top of one’s fitness and skill during the summer.