⚽ Sioux Falls Nightcrawlers
MASL Expansion Franchise Proposal
Professional Men’s Indoor Arena Soccer
📍 Market & Location
City: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Arena: Denny Sanford PREMIER Center (~12,000 capacity, configurable for MASL turf)
Why Sioux Falls?
South Dakota has no major professional sports teams.
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the state, with a growing population and strong youth soccer culture.
No MASL, MLIS, or MISL history — a clean slate for indoor soccer.
Regional draw from South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
This makes Sioux Falls the perfect anchor city for MASL expansion in the Upper Midwest.
🛡️ Team Identity
Name: Sioux Falls Nightcrawlers
Colors: Midnight Black • Neon Green • Steel Grey
Mascot: “Crawler” the Nightcrawler
Brand Themes: Resilience, grit, underdog mentality, nocturnal energy, Great Plains toughness.
The Nightcrawlers brand emphasizes hard work, persistence, and toughness — a perfect fit for Sioux Falls.
👥 Ownership Group
Dakota Sports Ventures, LLC
Local business leaders from Sioux Falls
Regional sports‑marketing executives
Minority stake from a former MASL player
Community‑driven investment model
📺 Media Partners
Television: KELO‑TV (CBS Sioux Falls), Midco Sports Network
Streaming: MASL YouTube, NightcrawlersTV (team‑run digital content)
Radio: KWSN 1230 AM (Sioux Falls Sports Radio)
Print/Digital: Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Business Journal
⚽ Soccer Operations
Head Coach: Giuliano Oliviero (former Milwaukee Wave head coach, MASL champion)
Assistant Coach: Ian Bennett (MASL legend, transitioning into coaching)
Goalkeeper Coach: Joey Kapinos (MASL veteran GK)
Director of Player Personnel: Luis “Peewee” Ortega (MASL veteran with scouting ties)
🧤 Real MASL Free‑Agent Roster
Goalkeepers
Chris Toth
William Vanzela
Joey Kapinos
Defenders
Robert Palmer
Drew Ruggles
Chase Hanson
Matt Lewis
Mario Marcos
James Togbah
Midfielders
Lucas Roque
Charlie Gonzalez
Mike Ramos
Ignacio “Nacho” Flores
Forwards
Franck Tayou
Max Ferdinand
Vini Dantas
Ricardo Carvalho
Gordy Gurson
Nick Perera
Leo Gibson
📋 Depth Chart
GK: Chris Toth / William Vanzela / Joey Kapinos
Defense: Ruggles–Palmer–Marcos (starters), Hanson–Lewis–Togbah (rotation)
Midfield: Gonzalez–Roque (starters), Ramos–Flores (rotation)
Forwards: Tayou (target), Dantas–Ferdinand (wings), Perera–Gurson–Carvalho–Gibson (rotation)
Special Units:
Power Play QB: Nick Perera
Penalty Kill Anchor: Robert Palmer
📝 Free‑Agent Draft Board
🏛️ Front Office Staff
President & CEO: Mark Ellingson
COO: Sarah Kline
CFO: David McConnell
GM: Ryan Delgado
VP Business Development: Kendra Halvorson
Director of Marketing: Alicia Tran
Director of Community Relations: Mariah Red Cloud
Director of Communications: Ben Whitaker
Broadcast Director: Chase Donovan
Play‑by‑Play Announcer: Evan Michaels
Color Commentator: Leo Gibson
Director of Merchandising: Caleb Jensen
Arena Operations Director: Rick Donnelly
🧠 Tactical Identity
Under Oliviero, the Nightcrawlers will play:
High‑tempo possession
Rotational attacking triangles
Aggressive high press
Elite goalkeeper distribution
Fast transition offense
🎟️ Fan Experience
“Crawler’s Den” supporters section
Pre‑game light show
Halftime youth showcases
Local food vendors
Post‑game autograph sessions
Community clinics across the Dakotas
🏆 Vision
The Sioux Falls Nightcrawlers will be:
A flagship MASL franchise in a new region
A competitive team immediately
A community‑driven organization
A model expansion blueprint for future MASL growth
This is now the realistic, professional pitch for the Sioux Falls Nightcrawlers:
Real city (Sioux Falls, SD)
Real arena (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)
Real coach (Giuliano Oliviero)
Real MASL free‑agent roster
Real media outlets and front office structure
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