The Two Harbors Soccer Club (THSC) is excited to announce the hiring of Coach Matt McCune as their new Technical Director. This position oversees “all elements of all player and coach development,” explained THSC president Ashleigh Swanson.
Coach Matt was a high school coach and club founder of Vinland FC, located in Baldwin City, Kansas. Coach McCune won 5 regional championships, played for state championships in 2022, and Final Four in 2023 and 2024. His former team, Baldwin Bulldogs, were back-to-back lead champions in 2023 and 2024. McCune was named Kansas state Coach of the Year in 2022 and was a finalist for the title in 2020, 2023, and 2024. Additionally, McCune is the 5-time All-Area Coach of The Year. Currently in Two Harbors, McCune is the boys head coach at Two Harbors High School and coaches a boys U12 team for THSC.
Swanson commented further on McCune’s involvement with THSC. “Just in the few short weeks he’s been involved, numerous parents have complimented his abilities to coach, and how much excitement and fun their children are having learning the sport of soccer. You can also see the confidence that has been built in players.”
Swanson also noted that Coach McCune is familiar with the North Shore area. “McCune is no stranger to the Two Harbors and North Shore area. He and his family have been visiting for 15 years. Every year during their stay, he would host a soccer academy called Vinland Academy, in which he would coach many youth and teach them the different aspects of the game of soccer. This included students from Duluth, North Shore, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Schroeder/Tofte, and Grand Marais areas. This was a highlight for many soccer players who had the chance to attend this academy. Many of the players on both the boys’ and girls’ JV and Varsity teams have attended his academy as well.”
Swanson’s excitement for the soccer club is contagious, as she detailed more exciting developments at the THSC. “We are excited this year, based on some of the recommendations that Matt has made, to create a transparent, parent-led, implementers team for the club. These members will take on specific tasks such as fundraising, equipment and field maintenance, jersey design, and other fun things to make the club more well-rounded. We welcome individuals to utilize their talents in continuation of bolstering the experience of the club.”
In continuation, Swanson expressed the positive impact the implementers group will have. “We really want to build more open involvement in the club, and when Matt suggested this implementers group, it made a lot of sense. The board discussed it and decided to move forward with the implementation team in the 2026 season. Former THSC presidents have done a great job in getting players engaged. I want my presidency to reflect and embody those same qualities, while also expanding the impact that this sport can have on more children in our community and beyond.”
The Two Harbors Soccer Club, which has been in existence since 1994, is the smallest club in the area, but one of the biggest based on population. “We have a rich history of providing numerous opportunities to hundreds of kids each year,” Swanson said.
Currently at THSC, improvements are constantly being made – equipment is being replaced, and the club is working with the City of Two Harbors to keep the fields “in top shape”. Costs and fees are kept as low as possible while still providing “the highest quality coaching and instruction.”
“This winter, a large group of dedicated coaches attended coaching training sessions with a local sports mentor and learned practical strategies on how to work with players in today’s sports culture,” Swanson shared. “Our coaches volunteer their time, but we offer a stipend or a reimbursed registration fee for their child to play, as a token of appreciation for all the hard work they put in on and off the field.”
A few other highlights of the THSC include the club’s pursuit of local grants to offset costs, fun coach and player recognition events, academies and clinics, winter indoor soccer, scholarships, and hiring youth participants for maintenance and coaching assistance. “As the Two Harbors Soccer Club is a non-profit community-focused organization, we are always looking for grants and donation opportunities to help the growth of the club,” Swanson said. “For anyone interested in having their child or grandchild play soccer, please contact our team at team@twoharborssoccer.com for upcoming soccer opportunities.”
More details about THSC can be found at www.twoharborssoccer.com. Best wishes to Two Harbors Soccer Club and Coach McCune!
