Building North Dakota's Premier Youth Soccer Experience: Inside Tri-City United
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- 3 min read
For over 10 years, David Pritchard, Director of Development at Tri-City United, has helped build a club culture designed to give kids the best possible soccer experience.
As the longest-running non-profit soccer club in the area, Tri-City United has established a unique footprint in North Dakota and Minnesota. Here is an inside look at how the club balances top-tier facility access, elite coach education, and a passion for the beautiful game.
A Player-Centric Environment Built on Fun
When establishing the identity of Tri-City United, the leadership team made a foundational commitment: every decision must be made in the best interest of the kids.
For Pritchard, the most rewarding moments aren't just about winning trophies; they are about watching young athletes thrive. "Central to all of them are kids just really having fun," Pritchard explains. "Just really enjoying their soccer, having that passion... maybe a goal-line clearance, a tackle, a goal, a victory. They share that common theme where they've been set up with a good environment to go out and be themselves as a kid, and enjoy playing the beautiful game."
Investing in Elite Coach Education
A club is only as strong as its coaching staff. Pritchard, who played at a high level in England, notes that transitioning from a player to a youth coach is a difficult journey. To bridge this gap, Tri-City United heavily invests in coach education.
Led by Technical Director Shay Durham — a coach educator within the US Soccer system — the club has created a culture of continuous learning. "That process isn't quick or easy," Pritchard notes. "But for people that are willing to learn new things, experience new things, and accept that maybe the way they did it in the past isn't the best way... this club is fantastic for helping people uncover their potential and day by day become a better coach."
Premier Facilities in North Dakota and Moorhead
One of the biggest advantages Tri-City United offers its players is unmatched access to training spaces. As an established non-profit that has historically helped invest in local infrastructure, the club enjoys priority access to the best pitches in the region.
According to Pritchard, this includes:
The TCU Indoor Facility: The only indoor facility in North Dakota strictly dedicated to soccer.
Fargo Parks Sports Center: Priority access to state-of-the-art community spaces.
Outdoor Complexes: Premier training and game locations at the Kelsey Soccer Complex (West Fargo) and the Moorhead Soccer Complex.
Unmatched Competition: TCSL and ECNL-RL
Finding consistent, high-quality competition in North Dakota can be a logistical challenge, but Tri-City United has solved this by looking east.
"We're a member of the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) down in Minneapolis, so we're the only North Dakota club that regularly participates in that league," Pritchard explains. This strategic scheduling gives Tri-City United players access to elite regional brackets, including the N1 league and the ECNL Regional League (ECNL-RL). Whether a team is playing against high-quality elite opposition or looking for developmentally appropriate matches, the club ensures players are consistently challenged.
Why Families Recommend Tri-City United
When asked if he would recommend the club to a friend or colleague, Pritchard's answer is immediate: "I'd 100% recommend the club to friends, colleagues, anybody."
For families in the Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead communities, Tri-City United offers a rare balance. It provides the elite facilities and league access (ECNL-RL) necessary for ambitious players, all while maintaining a foundational culture where kids can simply enjoy themselves, have fun, and reach their maximum potential.
