Valley Sports Academy Guardians Soccer Club Joins Western Wisconsin Soccer as Official Affiliate Member

CHIPPEWA VALLEY, WI – 6/9/25 – Valley Sports Academy (VSA) and its Guardians Soccer Club are proud to announce a new affiliation with Western Wisconsin Soccer, marking a pivotal step forward in raising the standard of competitive soccer in the region. As part of this partnership, VSA Guardians teams will now compete in the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) — a move designed to provide enhanced competition, a clearer player development pathway, and reduced travel for families.

"As the Directors of Soccer at Valley Sports Academy Guardians Soccer Club, we are more than excited to be the driving force behind our club’s partnership with Western Wisconsin Soccer and our entry into the Twin Cities Soccer League (TSCL),” said Jack LeZalla and Josh Ranft, Directors of Soccer at VSA. “This marks more than just a league change — it’s the beginning of a culture shift.”

For years, the Eau Claire and greater Chippewa Valley communities have sought a model that truly prioritizes holistic player development. The move to TCSL through Western Wisconsin Soccer helps set a foundation for a more structured and inspiring journey for youth athletes—from recreational soccer to high-level competition, and ultimately toward collegiate opportunities and beyond.

"Our players deserve consistent, challenging environments that prepare them for the next level — and TSCL provides that,” LeZalla and Ranft continued. “We are especially proud to make this transition alongside Casey Holm, Executive Director of Western Wisconsin Soccer. Our shared values in player development and years of collaboration make this a natural and exciting step forward for soccer in our region."

Chase Hoople, General Manager at Valley Sports Academy, echoed the excitement: "Over the past three years, we’ve been proud to help advance the game of soccer in the Chippewa Valley—building momentum, raising the bar, and creating opportunities for our athletes to grow. Now, we’re excited to take the next step in that journey."

"Through this partnership, our teams will continue to train under the guidance of our exceptional VSA/Guardians staff, while gaining access to the TCSL — a more competitive platform that also reduces travel time for families. Many of our teams were traveling 3–4 hours for single games; now, most matches will be within a two-hour radius, offering both convenience and elite competition.”

From the perspective of Western Wisconsin Soccer, this affiliation reflects a growing movement toward unifying the region under a shared vision for soccer development.

"Western Wisconsin is extremely excited to be adding Valley Sports Academy as an affiliate,” said Casey Holm and Kati Schenz, Directors of Western Wisconsin Soccer. “This helps grow soccer in Western Wisconsin and enhances the idea of finding developmentally appropriate places for players to play through access to the Twin Cities League. We will continue to align with the high school programs in the area to develop Western Wisconsin soccer at the same level as the eastern side of the state.”

This collaboration takes effect immediately, with teams preparing for play in the upcoming TCSL season.

About Valley Sports Academy Guardians Soccer Club: Guardians Soccer Club, powered by Valley Sports Academy, is committed to developing well-rounded athletes through expert coaching, elite training facilities, and a positive club culture. Located in the Chippewa Valley, VSA Guardians aims to build not just better players—but better people—through sport.

About Western Wisconsin Soccer: Western Wisconsin Soccer is a regional organization dedicated to providing top-tier development opportunities for youth soccer players. Through structured programming, league affiliations, and strong community partnerships, Western Wisconsin Soccer fosters growth at every stage of the soccer journey.