How it all started
Total Elite Soccer Training was founded in October 2017 by Sanel Dzafic, also known as Sonny. At the age of 19, Sonny moved to the US from Europe. Growing up in Bosnia, he spent all his free time training on his own to improve as a player, as there were limited options for training and having a personal coach was unlikely. After his playing career ended, Sonny felt a strong desire to give back to the soccer community in Iowa. This motivation led him to create Total Elite Soccer Training, with the aim of providing players with the support he never had while growing up.
Sonny and his team focus on developing players aged 8 to 25 in Iowa, helping them become elite athletes through customized personal training. They believe that every player has the potential to reach the next level, and that Total Elite Soccer Training is the ideal environment to achieve this.
Our team
Sanel "Sonny" Dzafic
Founder/Coach
Soccer has always been an important part of Coach Sonny's life. He has both played and coached the sport since childhood. Growing up in Bosnia, soccer significantly influenced his life. He would spend hours practicing and honing his skills, constantly striving to improve his game. Whether playing in the streets with friends or on competitive teams, soccer was always at the forefront of his mind. This passion has carried him through his youth and continues to inspire him today.
While living in Germany, he played in an amateur league as a junior. After moving to the United States, he played for Roosevelt High School for a year, during which he earned a varsity letter. He then received a full scholarship to Grand View University, where he played for four years and even competed semi-professionally for the Des Moines Menace.
During his time at Grand View University, Coach Sonny conducted numerous soccer clinics and summer camps for children aged 6 to 18. He also served as a volunteer head coach for the University of Iowa Men's Soccer Club for two years. Coach Sonny enjoys sharing the knowledge he has gained over the years with the next generation of soccer players and takes pride in watching them improve every day. He currently holds a National F coaching license.
fernando "nando"
pacheco
Coach
Coach Fernando was born in Mexico but grew up in Iowa City, where he played for IC Alliance. He was a four-year varsity player at Iowa City High School, earning two-time all-state honors, two-time first-team all-conference recognition, and being named Mississippi Valley Athlete of the Year twice. In 2009 and 2010, Coach Fernando was selected for the Region 2 ODP team, allowing him to travel to Italy, Austria, and Germany to compete in an international tournament against elite European academy teams.
After high school, he received a full scholarship to play Division I college soccer at Western Illinois University, where he achieved several accolades, including being named Academic All-Summit League for three consecutive seasons, a two-time All-Summit League Second Team selection, and CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team.
Coach Fernando spent two summers with the former Cedar Rapids Rampage United and played for Iowa Raptors FC. He has been conducting individual and group training sessions for quite some time and has been a member of the coaching staff at Iowa City High School. Coach Fernando enjoys giving back by sharing his experience and making a positive impact on younger players. Coach Fernando joined Total Elite Team in 2021.
SHAE DOHERTY
Coach
Coach Shae was born and raised in Wheaton, IL. Shae played for a few clubs growing up, and ultimately ended at Sockers FC (SFC) where she played for 3 years. She played for her club year round where her team competed in the DA league, playing against the best competition in the country. She and her team had an undefeated season her senior year, and made it to the National Championship in 2022. During her time at SFC, she was named a top 30 player in the midwest region. After graduating from Wheaton North High School in 2022, Shae continued her education and soccer career at the University of Belmont, a small D1 school down in Nashville, where she committed to as a junior in high school. She started nearly every game at Belmont, and after finishing her freshman season, she transferred mid-year to play in the BIG 10 conference here at the University of Iowa. She just finished her sophomore season, winning the BIG 10 Championship and having a great season with her team! Shae is studying business marketing and will be getting her real estate license in the next few months. Soccer has been a huge part of her life since she was 5 years old, and she is excited to pass along the love she has for the sport with all the youth players. Coach Shae joined the Total Elite Team in 2023.
malerie rohweder
Coach
Coach Malerie grew up in Ankeny, Iowa, playing for the Iowa Rush Soccer Club throughout her entire youth career. She attended Ankeny High School, where she won the state championship her senior year in 2019. After high school, she chose to continue her soccer career at Western Illinois University, playing for four years. At the last minute, she decided to utilize her extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and served as captain during her graduate year. After graduating, she returned to Iowa and joined the Total Elite Team, wanting to keep soccer a part of her life. Soccer has been a significant part of her life since childhood, and she is excited to share her passion for the sport with all the youth players. Coach Malerie joined the Total Elite Team in 2024.
Ensar fejzic
Intern Volunteer Coach
Coach Ensar was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began playing soccer at the age of four and at the age of five, he joined the youth academy of the most prominent club in Bosnia, FK Zeljeznicar. He played for the same club throughout his youth and was even promoted to play with older generations of players, gaining a lot of experience playing against older competitors. At the age of fifteen, he received an invitation to join the U-16 National Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After playing three games, he was promoted to the U-17 team, where he traveled all over Europe and played against different countries such as Wales, Azerbaijan, Finland, Czech Republic, among others, with some games being for the U-17 European Championship. At the age of eighteen, Coach Ensar decided to come to the USA to play college soccer. He spent his first year at Oklahoma Wesleyan University and then transferred to Mount Mercy University. As soccer has been an enormous part of him since he was only four years old, he would like to share his insights and experience with all aspiring soccer players. Coach Ensar joined the Total Elite Team in 2023.
RIJAD OSMANKOVIC
Intern Volunteer Coach
Coach Rijad was born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the age of 5, he started playing soccer at FK Bubamara. After that, he moved to the most decorated club in Bosnia, FK Zeljeznicar. While playing for this club, he received an invitation to join the U17 national team. He also played semi-professional soccer for FK Bosna Sema, competing in the Second League before coming to the United States. He played for Baker University as a captain during his junior and senior years, where he was named two-time Second Team All-Conference and two-time Defender of the Week. Coach Rijad completed his master’s degree at Mount Mercy University while working as an assistant coach for the Mount Mercy Men’s Soccer program. His love for the sport from an early age has inspired him to selflessly share his experience and knowledge with others. Coach Rijad joined the Total Elite Team in 2022.