The Good Life – July-August 2015

BY: PAUL HANKEL | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
A ONE ON ONE CHAT WITH TIM SINGLETON,
THE OWNER OF FARGO’S NEWEST SPORTS TEAM.
With summer in full swing, The Good Life caught up with Tim Singleton, soccer
fanatic and owner of FC Fargo, to chat about the new team, his players and his
goals for the team, and soccer as a whole in Fargo-Moorhead.
The Good Life: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your soccer background.
Tim Singleton: When I was younger, I studied abroad in Germany and that’s how I fell
in love with soccer. I also played and coached recreationally. Before this, I worked for the
Minnesota United soccer team, back when they were called the Minnesota Stars.
GL: You’ve played, coached and worked behind the scenes. How did you end up owning a team?
TS: Eventually, it came to the point where I could either get a job working for a team from afar,
such as the team in Des Moines, or I could start my own team. Honestly, I started FC Fargo using
Twitter, and as it took off, we incorporated!
GL: How did you decide on Fargo as the location to put your team?
TS: To begin with, I really only look at four places. I looked at the twin cities, Rochester, Duluth and
Moorhead. I was pretty much going to stay in Minnesota, but once I looked at the metro area of Fargo-
Moorhead, I liked the Fargo side better and here we are!
Singleton went on to explain that the ‘soccer scene,’ in the Fargo-Moorhead area is one that is prevalent and
continues to grow. This is evidenced by the fact that some eighty local and regional players tried out for the team.
TS: Soccer is generally seen as a sport you play through high school. If the players want to keep playing, what are
their options? Possibly find a Division 1 or Division 2 school? I think a lot of people view it as a kids sport. I would
like to give players a chance to play quality, competitive soccer, and to have a chance to get signed to a bigger
team. This team will give these players that chance to get noticed.
GL: Why do you think there is such a drop off in soccer participation numbers, once players hit high
school?
TS: I think it’s because of the fact that soccer and American football are played at the same time. I’ve
always said, America would be the best in the world at soccer if our best athletes played soccer. But
Lebron James doesn’t play soccer! Calvin Johnson would make a great goalie. Could you imagine
‘Megatron’ out there blocking shots?! I think the problem is that players are forced to choose
which sports to play, and football gets all the coverage.
GL: Where do most of your players come from?
TS: We had players come from as far as Des Moines, most colleges around here, and
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