What started out as just a pickup team has already grown into a strong member of the Midwest Premier League and is the first team in North America to participate in the Villa de Cabanillas, an elite tournament in Spain, pinning them against the likes of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Celta Vigo. Five of BOHFS’ U-16s have been invited back for a second look by opponent clubs who were involved. We wanted to know more about the upstarts from St Louis so we reached out and Alen Bradaric, one of the team’s founders, took the time to answer all of our questions.

Tell us the origin story of your club - when was the club founded? By whom and what was its mission?
BOHFS started out as just a pickup soccer team by a group of friends, players and coaches. I have always wanted to create something different in St. Louis soccer and took a chance just a short nine months ago. The mission has always been about giving players opportunities — whether that’s a pathway to the pro game, showcasing talent here and abroad, or just a competitive place to keep playing at a high level. We started small, but it will always be about community, competition, building relationships through the game and enjoying the ride.

Tell us about your badge and colors – how does it connect to the community and has it evolved over time or always been the same?
Our badge, almost mimics the well known AJAX Amsterdam logo apart from one detail. The fez is a nod to the club’s Bosnian heritage. It was introduced to the Balkans by the Ottoman Empire and even today is a symbol of identity, dignity, resilience and tradition. St. Louis is home to many cultures and this was one small way to acknowledge the Bosnian roots. We want people to see it and instantly know it’s BOHFS.

What league or leagues does your club participate in and why did you choose those to join?
We play in the Midwest Premier League, which is comprised of 45+ teams across the Midwest. It made sense for us because it’s regional, full of clubs that share the same grassroots, player-first mentality, and very competitive. It allows our players to test themselves against quality opposition without losing that community feel. Over the course of my playing career, I have competed in the USL2, NPSL, UPSL and I have nothing but positive things to say about the Midwest Premier League.

Many clubs choose to sell hats, scarves or replica kits - how does your club keep the lights on and cover its league costs? How can interested people support you?
We do a bit of everything — sponsors, merch, fundraisers, and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. It’s definitely not easy, but that’s part of the grind. We are so grateful for the support we have received so far and without it, this would all just be a daydream. Anyone who wants to support can come out to a match, connect with us on social media, or connect us with a potential sponsor or partner. Supporting the sponsors who have taken a chance on us would be the best compliment and sign of support. Every bit of support helps us keep pushing forward.

How did you finish last year? What are the goals for this season?
Last season was a mix of highs and lows — We finished 2nd in our division and undefeated at home in league play. We competed hard, learned a lot, and saw several of our players move on to bigger opportunities. One signed overseas, one moved on to MLS Next Pro, one earned a trial with an MLS side and a couple more are having conversations as we speak. That’s always a win for us and we will always do our best to help our players achieve their goals. Currently, we are in the second round of the US Open Cup Qualifiers and are looking forward to giving it our best shot. This year, we want to build on that foundation: stronger results, more opportunities , and continuing to put our players in positions to succeed. Along with that, we want to build stronger relationships within our communities and bring more people together.

How do you participate in, or give back to your community?
Community and more community involvement is a big goal for us for the future. This being our first season, competing in a market that already has 7+ established teams at this level, having a competitive team was the biggest priority. With that said, several local and young players received chances to play with players that they might not get elsewhere. Our team featured a handful of 30+ year olds with very impressive resumes. For 2026 we want to partner with local businesses and organizations so that it’s not just about soccer, but about making a real impact in St. Louis.

If there were one or two teams, within a 100 miles of you, to play a friendly against – who would you play and why?
We’d love to test ourselves against Saint Louis City’s MLS Next Pro side, just to give our guys that experience against a professional environment. Also, St.Louis Ambush of the MASL have been supportive of us and we hope to team up with them again very soon.

Follow BOHFS on Instagram HERE