The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that Dakota Fusion Futbol Club (Fargo, ND) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will compete in the Midwest Region’s North Conference.
“We are very excited to announce that the NPSL is coming to North Dakota,” NPSL Chairman Joe Barone commented. “This is a special moment for the league as we continue to grow the beautiful game in new markets across the country. I know that our fans and supporters are excited about our North Conference.”
DFFC is led by General Manager Sajid Ghauri and Administrator Rollie Bulock. Ghauri currently works in the telecommunications industry and has been involved in soccer for the last 40 years. He has sponsored teams in this region for last five years. He has been involved in the coaching ranks for over 10 years and is still an active soccer player. He launched Dakota Fusion Futbol Club in February 2016.
Bulock, a Devils Lake, ND native, established the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) women’s soccer program in 1995. One short year later, he guided the Dragons to their only Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) championship. During his tenure, 33 players received All-NSIC honors in addition to one All-American and two All-Region selections. He was also honored as NSIC Coach of the Year in both 1996 and 1998. Bulock left MSUM in 2000 and served as an assistant at Northern State in 2000 and 2001 before serving as head coach at Wayne State in 2002 and 2003. He was the NSIC Coach of the Year in 2002. He returned to MSUM in 2004, retired from his position in 2015, and is currently the winningest soccer coach in MSUM history.
DFFC had 28 players on their roster during their first year. They played seven friendlies in 2016, winning five of those games.
“We would like to learn and assist in the growth of soccer in our region,” Ghauri added. “We will also like to seek an opportunity to compete with other regions at higher levels, providing challenges to our players and give them the opportunity to improve their skill set.”
Home matches will be played at Moorhead High School (Moorhead, MN) and Shanley High School (Fargo, ND). Both have artificial turf playing surfaces, locker rooms, and seating for over 2,000 spectators.
More information about the club can be found at www.dakotafusionfc.com or by following the club on Facebook (@DakotaFusion), Twitter (@DakotaFusionFC), and Instagram (@dakota_fusion_fc).
