The Road to Nationals Started at the IF Soccer Complex

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A local soccer team is heading to the national stage.

Idaho Falls Football Club (IFFC) will represent Idaho at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Tennessee this July after fighting to capture a state title.

For the team’s U15 girls, the journey from the Old Butte Soccer Complex to a national tournament is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and building synergy.

Breaking Through

One of the biggest challenges was simply making it out of Idaho.

Boise-area clubs have traditionally dominated state competition, making IFFC’s accomplishment even more significant. According to club officials, it has been roughly two decades since Idaho Falls Football Club last sent a team to nationals. The club, originally founded in 1983 as the Bonneville Youth Soccer League, no longer has records verifying the exact year.

Head coach Mary Murray says Boise teams often have advantages in both numbers and climate.

“They have a bigger area and, obviously, nicer weather,” Murray said. “But luckily for us, we have indoor facilities and spaces, so we're able to practice all year. They are tough and they are strong teams.”

That challenge was on full display during the state championship match.

IFFC trailed 2-0 at halftime before mounting a comeback.

“They did not give up,” Murray said. “They put their chins up at halftime. They knew they could do it, and they worked their tails off.”

Team captain Presley Bullen says Murray’s halftime message helped spark the turnaround.

“When Mary gave her halftime talk, I think it really boosted us up,” Bullen said. “As captains, we just had to keep uplifting the team throughout the whole game. We had to keep cheering everyone on. If there was a mistake, we just had to let it go and not take anything too hard.”

Years in the Making

Part of the team's success comes from something that can't be taught overnight.

Several members of the roster have played together since they were four years old. Murray has coached some of them for more than a decade, creating chemistry that shows both on and off the field.

Club soccer requires a significant commitment. Players typically train and compete 10 to 12 months out of the year, practicing three to four times a week and continuing indoors through the winter months.

The team includes players from several local schools including Skyline, Hillcrest, Idaho Falls High School, Thunder and a homeschool program. Players compete for their respective school teams in the fall before rejoining their club teammates for the remainder of the year.

Each season, players must earn their roster spots through tryouts, with only the top athletes advancing to the state league.

One Last Run Together

This year's tournament carries added significance.

U.S. Youth Soccer recently shifted age-group divisions from calendar-year registration to a school-year model. The change means many teams across the country, including IFFC's state championship squad, will be split apart moving forward.

For a group that has spent years growing up together, nationals will be one final opportunity to compete as a team.

Murray says the relationships built away from the field have been just as important as the success on it.

“They care about each other,” Murray said. “They are good people off the field. Watching them come together, support each other and be a true unit gives me chills. They love each other.”

Bullen admits the upcoming separation is difficult.

“It's a super sad story,” she said.

The national tournament will be one final chance to compete, travel and create memories together before the team goes its separate ways.

Already Champions

Regardless of what happens in Tennessee, Murray believes the players already accomplished something bigger than winning games.

“I feel like they've already felt that success,” Murray said. “They know what it feels like to work hard, to have a goal, to be dedicated and focused. Going forward in life, it's going to make them the best humans they can be because they understand what it takes to do hard things, work together and be good people. I just could not be more proud of this group of girls.”

The club is also celebrating success at younger age levels. IFFC's 2014 girls team also won the state championship and will advance to regional competition in Utah.

To follow along on how they do at Nationals, you can check out their Facebook and Instagram social media.