Ten years, huh?!

In the first post on this blog, I wrote "FC Fargo is looking to play in the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) next year". Ten years down the road, I have worn more hats than a Lids mannequin and Dakota Fusion are 8 years into their own NPSL tenure. 

FC Fargo's inaugural coach Tommy Nienhaus is...not any more. Ten years would have been a miracle. In the end, he saw out FC Fargo's history. He's still around the NAIA level that he has always been. 

From a hopeful wellspring of fans movements in the FCF days, Fusion's home fans nowadays seem to be the hardcore of friends and family. Not, in my humble opinion, the best base for developing a fanbase in any sense of that word. One hopeful positive that might lead to a return to passionate fans in the stands is the promise of a professional side in WPSL Pro.

FC Fargo scheduled games across Fargo, including NDSU's Dakotah Field, whereas Fusion have been conservative in their scheduling to date. 

FC Fargo folded on August 23rd 2015. It's former owner, Tim Singleton, is still around the scene from his home in the Twin Cities. 

2016 saw Fusion enter the conversation, playing at the same stadium (Moorhead High's Jim Gotta Stadium) . For a few seasons, there would be a stubborn streak of players who started with FCF to don the yellow and black of Fusion. 

2017 saw Fusion make the playoffs under coach Jim Robbins. They would be dispatched by Detroit City. Jade Johnson won the Golden Ball (for best player). 

2018 saw FC Minneapolis enter UPSL the first time. Longer than I had thought, and a lot longer than I had given them credit for at the time. That said, the reason for my cynicism is well-founded. 

Meanwhile, 2018 also saw North Dakota's only entry into the fabulous US Open Cup to date (although the game took place in Duluth), with Fusion representing. 

Last of all, 2018 was the first year Fusion fielded a women's side, in the WPSL. 

2019-2023 Struggles at both Fusion sides, at least on the surface. 

2023 Fusion men made the playoffs again, courtesy of a Golden Boot (leading goalscorer) record by Yu Tsukanome, who immediately moved up to the pros with D3 Tacoma Defiance. 

2026 will be the tenth anniversary of Fusion entering NPSL and existence and will see a professional soccer team in Fargo (or Moorhead, who knows?) for the first time.