Life is a little easier for Ryan Wall this spring.
Flashback to 2021, an Wall, along with several members of the Regan family (father Jim and sons Sean and Brandon) were scrambling to get everything prepared for the inaugural season of the Highlanders FC.
The group wanted to create a pre-professional soccer club, complete with a U23 team, and a developmental U18 academy-style team. Their aim? Providing a level of soccer competition not normally found in the Ohio Valley while also developing the area and region’s top players.
The crème of the local talent found its way to the club’s East Wheeling field for initial tryouts, along with top players from local college teams like West Liberty and Wheeling U and beyond.
Selecting that first team took a lot of effort itself. That’s not counting securing funding and sponsorships, pitch time for practices and matches, getting the club organization part out of the way for its new home, the Ohio Valley Premier League, as well as a myriad of other tasks.
This time? It’s all about the on-field action and prepping for the season, which gets underway May 14 when Highlanders FC hosts Cleveland’s Croatia Juniors at 2 p.m. up at the Highlands Sports Complex
“Yeah, it’s been 100 percent easier than last season,” Wall admitted as he’s still on the hunt for a preseason friendly before the first match of the OVPL regular season. “Last season we had two months to register and create the club before our first game.
“This year, we had a tryout in February, kept the development team active, and it’s just been a lot easier this year.
“To be fair, we’ve had some of the same challenges with scheduling and working with sponsors, but still, a lot easier.”
Building Off of 2021
The 2021 debut was deemed a success as Wall’s team barely missed a spot in the OVPL championship match. The team finished second in the Valley Division to Ohio Premier, which advanced to that championship finale. OP fell to the Evansville Legends FC in an exciting 9-8 final that required a shootout.
The club finished with seven wins, two draws, and one loss and returns much of the talent from a season ago.
“We had a tryout in February and picked up some new talent,” Wall said. “But I’d say about two-thirds of our roster is returning, with the other third new players.
“The first season was a huge success and it’s about stability. We still want to be in the top part of the division, but it’ll be a challenge because of the turnover of players, and you don’t have that 3-4 week building up of a preseason. We have a week and we’re in it.
“But we’re excited to take another step toward growing a good team.”
Highlanders FC’s Facebook page has detailed those returners and is plenty of reason for Wall and his assistants to be fired up for the 2022 season.
Another good sign as far as the league is concerned is the OVPL is expanding, picking up a few new teams for the 2022 summer season.
“There are a couple of new teams, including the Erie Commodores, along with a team from the northern part of Columbus, Elite SC,” Wall said. “There are some new teams in the (River) division as well.”
The increased interest is not only a good sign for Highlanders FC, but also the league and soccer as a whole.
Working With the Community
Highlanders FC is doing its part to represent the greater Wheeling Community—and be a part of it.
Earlier during the winter, players from the U18 team traveled to the Highlands Sports Complex to work out with and help youth from the Ohio Valley Chapter of A Special Wish.
Players from both teams will be on-hand come June 20-23 for a soccer camp, also at the HSC. Interested players can sign up at the HSC website.
The team tries to make itself a fixture in the community, but it goes beyond just that. They are representing Wheeling.
The Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau is one of the team’s chief sponsors, along with the Roxby Group, to name a few. The team’s home, away, and alternate kits all feature the “Visit Wheeling” tag emblazoned on the front of the shirts.
“We have a great sponsorship and partners with the Roxby Group and the CVB and, like them, we are trying to have an impact locally,” Wall said. “We are very big on promoting Visit Wheeling along with the CVB and, ultimately, we see ourselves as one of the faces of Wheeling.
“We play in some bigger markets, and we want to represent the city in those markets and help put Wheeling out there.”
An impact they are having, including on the soccer side of the equation.
While the area’s top talent, both on the scholastic level, and college-age players, are suiting up for the Highlanders, after the success of last season, word has gotten around. Players from outside the immediate area and region are inquiring about being a part and trying out.
“We’ve had a lot of college-age guys around the reach, and some from out of town approach us,” Wall said. “We play a lot regionally and in cities where players saw us, and then contacted us about playing. Some have taken the step to come to town (and playing).”
That too is good, not only for the FC but also for the town. Now, it’s time for the fans in the greater-Wheeling area and beyond to come out and continue to show their support for the Highlanders.
