Marquette United Soccer Club aims to establish fully sanctioned travel soccer league

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The local soccer community in the U.P. is growing, and one soccer club hopes to build a fully sanctioned travel soccer league, giving everyone a chance to play.

NMU men’s soccer coach Alex Fatovic joined the Marquette United Soccer Club (MUSC) in 2023 as the Director of Youth Development. He said its program is on the right track.

“I’ve come into a well-oiled machine,” Fatovic said. “It is my belief that with our sort of structure and organization in place, we should be able to help facilitate other clubs that maybe do not have that within the U.P.”

Growing a new league not only creates opportunities for youth athletes, but it also allows local college athletes a chance to coach, referee, and build relationships within the community.

“It’s been really fun to interact with the young kids and kind of show them a little bit about what Northern Michigan soccer is and give them a little different perspective of the game,” NMU women’s soccer player Brooke Pietila said.

“What a fantastic opportunity for both men’s and women’s players,” Fatovic said. “We’re going to have available coaches day in and day out to help facilitate a higher level of foot skills training, an understanding of the game, and really something to aspire to,” said Fatovic.

Although a fully sanctioned league may be a few more steps away, growing the game will remain the goal.

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