How it all started
Total Elite Soccer Training was established in October 2017 by Sanel Dzafic, known as Sonny. At 19, Sonny relocated to the United States from Europe. Raised in Bosnia, he dedicated much of his free time to self-training, as access to formal coaching and personal trainers was scarce. After concluding his playing career, Sonny felt a deep passion to give back to Iowa’s soccer community. This drive inspired him to launch Total Elite Soccer Training, aiming to provide young athletes with the guidance and support he lacked during his own development.
Sonny and his team specialize in training players aged 8 to 25 across Iowa, helping them elevate their skills through personalized coaching. They believe every player has the potential to advance to the next level, and that Total Elite Soccer Training offers the perfect environment to unlock that potential.
Our team
Sanel "Sonny" Dzafic
Founder/Coach
Soccer has been a central part of Coach Sonny’s life from a young age. Having both played and coached the sport since childhood, his passion for the game was shaped early on while growing up in Bosnia. Countless hours were spent developing his skills, whether practicing independently, playing in the streets with friends, or competing on organized teams. This enduring dedication to soccer has remained a constant throughout his life and continues to motivate him today.
While living in Germany, Coach Sonny played in a junior amateur league. After relocating to the United States, he joined the varsity soccer team at Roosevelt High School, earning a varsity letter in his first year. His talent and commitment to the sport earned him a full athletic scholarship to Grand View University, where he competed for four years and played with the Des Moines Menace.
In addition to his playing career, Coach Sonny has extensive coaching experience. While at Grand View University, he organized and led numerous soccer clinics and summer camps for youth ages 6 to 18. He also served as the volunteer head coach for the University of Iowa Men’s Soccer Club for two years. Coach Sonny is passionate about mentoring young athletes, sharing his knowledge, and taking pride in their growth and development. He currently holds a U.S. Soccer National F Coaching License.
fernando "nando"
pacheco
Coach
Coach Fernando was born in Mexico and raised in Iowa City, where he played youth soccer for IC Alliance. A standout athlete at Iowa City High School, he was a four-year varsity player who earned numerous honors, including two-time All-State, two-time First-Team All-Conference, and twice being named Mississippi Valley Athlete of the Year. In 2009 and 2010, he was selected for the Region 2 ODP (Olympic Development Program) team, which gave him the opportunity to travel to Italy, Austria, and Germany to compete against elite European academy teams.
Following high school, Coach Fernando received a full scholarship to play NCAA Division I soccer at Western Illinois University. There, he earned several accolades, including three consecutive Academic All-Summit League honors, two All-Summit League Second Team selections, and a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team.
In addition to his collegiate achievements, Coach Fernando played two summers with the former Cedar Rapids Rampage United and later for Iowa Raptors FC. He has extensive experience training both individuals and groups, and he has also served as a coach at Iowa City High School.
Coach Fernando is passionate about giving back to the game by mentoring young players and sharing his knowledge and experience. He joined the Total Elite Team in 2021.
SHAE DOHERTY
Coach & Player
Coach Shae was born and raised in Wheaton, IL. Throughout her youth, she played for several soccer clubs before ultimately joining Sockers FC (SFC), where she competed for three years. Playing year-round in the Development Academy (DA) league, Shae faced top-tier competition from across the country. Her team went undefeated during her senior year and advanced to the National Championship in 2022. During her time with SFC, she was recognized as one of the top 30 players in the Midwest region.
After graduating from Wheaton North High School in 2022, Shae continued her academic and athletic journey at Belmont University, a Division I school in Nashville, TN, where she had committed during her junior year. She started nearly every game in her freshman season before transferring mid-year to the University of Iowa to compete in the Big Ten Conference. Her sophomore season, she helped the Hawkeyes win the Big Ten Championship.
Shae is currently studying Business Marketing and is also pursuing her real estate license. Soccer has been a central part of her life since the age of five, and she’s passionate about sharing her love for the game with the next generation. Coach Shae joined the Total Elite Team in 2023.
malerie rohweder
Coach
Coach Malerie grew up in Ankeny, Iowa, where she played for the Iowa Rush Soccer Club throughout her entire youth. She attended Ankeny High School and helped lead her team to a state championship victory in her senior year, 2019. Following high school, she continued her soccer journey at Western Illinois University, competing for four years. Taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19, she returned as a graduate student and served as team captain. After graduating, Coach Malerie came back to Iowa and joined the Total Elite Team in 2024, eager to keep soccer a central part of her life. Having been passionate about the sport since childhood, she looks forward to sharing that enthusiasm with youth players.
Ensar fejzic
Intern Volunteer Coach & Player
Coach Ensar was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He started playing soccer at just four years old, and by five, he had joined the youth academy of FK Željezničar, the most prestigious club in Bosnia. Throughout his youth career, he remained with the club and often played alongside older age groups, gaining valuable experience competing against more advanced players. At fifteen, he earned a call-up to the Bosnia and Herzegovina U-16 National Team. After three appearances, he advanced to the U-17 squad, traveling across Europe to face teams from countries like Wales, Azerbaijan, Finland, and the Czech Republic, including matches in the U-17 European Championship. At eighteen, Coach Ensar moved to the United States to pursue college soccer, spending his first year at Oklahoma Wesleyan University before transferring to Mount Mercy University. Having dedicated his life to soccer since childhood, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring players. Coach Ensar joined the Total Elite Team in 2023.
Olivia "Liv" Bryner
Coach
Coach Liv grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she quickly developed a passion for soccer. She began her journey playing in local youth leagues and at the YMCA. As she advanced, she joined the Cedar River Soccer Association, where she spent the remainder of her club soccer career.
Coach Liv attended Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, earning a spot on the varsity team all four years and receiving All-Conference honors as a senior. She went on to play collegiate soccer at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, continuing both her academic and athletic pursuits.
During her high school and college years, Coach Liv trained at Total Elite Soccer Training, where she significantly enhanced her skills, athleticism, and confidence. After graduating, she returned to Iowa to join the coaching staff at Total Elite.
Soccer has been a central part of Coach Liv’s life from an early age, and she’s passionate about passing on her knowledge and love for the game to young athletes. With years of experience as both a player and a trainee at Total Elite, she’s excited to help the next generation grow on and off the field. Coach Liv joined the Total Elite Team in 2025.
Millie Greer
Coach & Player
Coach Millie is a standout defender for the University of Iowa women’s soccer team, originally from Scottsdale, Arizona. She developed her game with Phoenix Rising FC, where she played for nine years, captaining the team for five and earning ECNL Southwest All-Conference First Team honors in both 2021 and 2022.
Since arriving at Iowa in 2023, Millie has been a cornerstone of the Hawkeye defense, starting every match in her first two seasons and leading the team in minutes played each year. As a freshman, she helped secure a Big Ten Tournament Championship and contributed to a program-record 13 shutouts. In her sophomore season, she again anchored the back line, guiding Iowa to its first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance while allowing just 10 goals all year.
Her consistency and leadership have earned her recognition as a Big Ten Player to Watch, Second Team All-Big Ten selection, and a two-time Iowa Defensive Player of the Year. In 2025, Coach Millie was invited to the U.S. Soccer Women’s College Camp, a testament to her impact at the collegiate level.
From an early age, soccer has been a defining part of Coach Millie’s life, and she’s eager to give back by guiding and inspiring young players. She looks forward to helping athletes develop their skills, confidence, and character—both on and off the field. Millie joined the Total Elite family in 2025.
Off the field, Coach Millie is pursuing a degree in Environmental Policy at the University of Iowa.