Idaho FC shares dream of bringing professional soccer to eastern Idaho

POCATELLO — Idaho FC is less than six months old, but Pocatello’s semi-pro soccer club already has massive aspirations.

Over the coming few years, Idaho FC hopes to develop the reputation and revenue stream sufficient to support the jump from the semi-professional ranks of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) to the professional United Soccer League (USL), according to general manager Eddy Frutos.

“We don’t have a set timeline, but we are hoping to be in the USL within the next two to four years,” Frutos told EastIdahoSports.com.

Head coach Jorge Carmona believes that “with the right strategies and dedication” the goal of making such a quick jump to the professional level is “not farfetched.”

“Our longterm vision for this club is an ambition to grow, and eventually become an USL club. It’s incredibly motivating for us,” he added.

There are certain benchmarks the club must reach before it will even be considered for addition to the USL. Sponsorships will be “critical,” Frutos said, as will the team’s caliber of play and the fan support it generates.

The first mark though, has already been reached.

RELATED | Eagles find new nest: Idaho FC strikes deal with ISU to make Davis Field permanent home

A partnership struck between Idaho FC and Idaho State University has made ISU’s Davis Field the club’s permanent home, something a team must have to make the jump to pro.

“It was a big milestone for everyone, not just for us but for all of southeast Idaho,” Frutos said.

Carmona, who grew up and found his love for the game of soccer in Idaho Falls before going on to play professionally in other states including Texas, spoke about the “invaluable” benefits his team and its fans will see in having a dedicated home field and “private stadium environment.”

Some other UPSL clubs, the coach explained, play their games on rec fields, surrounded by youth games and picnicking families.

“Being able to partner with ISU, and be able to play at David Field, is going to bring more value to our team and separate us from other teams in southeastern Idaho,” he said describing the atmosphere and experience he expects the players and fans to enjoy at Davis Field.

Fan support, of course, will be pivotal in the growth of the club,

And both Frutos and Carmona believe fans will be pleasantly surprised by the talent level presented on the field.

Adding to that is the hometown feel eastern Idahoans will get while watching the Eagles. The vast majority of the roster, Carmona said, is from eastern Idaho — from Rexburg to Twin Falls — with a handful of players from Jackson Hole, Wyo. and a few others from Mexico and Columbia. Five of their players, he added, have previous professional soccer experience.

Idaho FC has two matches under its belt, a home win over SEI Corvids FC, from Blackfoot, and a road loss against the Boise Timbers.

Their next match is the official home opener, where they will run onto the pitch at Davis Field for the first time. That match is set for Friday evening, starting at 6 p.m., against Rapids SC, from Twin Falls.

Playing a truncated schedule for its first season, Idaho FC will host just four home games this year — June 8 and June 21 — but expect to see between 12 and 16 home games per season beginning next year, when they play a full slate of games.

As for why the club has so quickly latched on to the dream of playing professionally, Frutos said that it was a consideration since the team was first put together. But it jumped into the realm of reality when the USL announced an expansion club in Boise.

Now, Frutos and Idaho FC hope to push the east-west Idaho sports rivalry even further.