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Inter Detroit upsets Michigan Stars FC in NISA Independent Cup

Inter Detroit celebrating the win over Michigan Stars FC at Barnabo Stadium (Romeo, MI) Photo: Jeremy Whiting (jwhitingsportphoto)


In a thrilling NISA Independent Cup match at Barnabo Stadium in Romeo, MI, Midwest Premier League club Inter Detroit, a pre-professional side, pulled off a stunning upset by defeating professional team Michigan Stars FC 1-0. The game was tightly contested throughout, ultimately decided by a late goal from forward Cesar Zamudio in the 77th minute.

Michigan Stars FC, one of the two professional soccer clubs in Michigan, currently sits 2nd in the East Conference of NISA with a strong record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. The Romeo-based side were crowned NISA national champions in 2022 and were the runners-up in the 2023 season. MWPL’s Inter Detroit, Great Lakes Conference champions in 2022 and East Division champions in 2023, currently sit in 5th place in the East Division with an even record of 4 wins and 4 losses in 8 games this season.

The match showcased the resilience and determination of Inter Detroit, the only Midwest Premier League team in the tournament. Their defensive discipline and tactical execution kept the high-flying Michigan Stars at bay, frustrating the professional side for much of the game. Both teams had their share of chances, but it was Inter Detroit’s solid defense that made the difference, withstanding waves of attacks to maintain the tie and later on their slender lead.

Cesar Zamudio emerged as the hero for Inter Detroit, finding the back of the net with a clinical finish off a cross from Kyle Jennings in the 77th minute. The goal not only secured the win but also sent a clear message about the competitive spirit of semi-professional teams in a competition like the NISA Independent Cup.

After the match, Inter Detroit President Edwin Jimenez expressed his pride in his team’s performance. “We have had a rocky past few weeks with our MWPL season not going as planned, but we knew we had the talent to do great things this summer regardless. Entering the NISA Independent Club, we knew Michigan Stars FC would be our rival and we knew from day one we wanted to avenge our last-minute loss versus them last year. The game was how you would see a pro versus amateur—gritty and defensive. Ultimately, the good guys won, and we keep going. Proud of the team and proud of the organization; we’re ready for round two.”

With this victory, Inter Detroit advances to the Great Lakes Regional semifinals of the NISA Independent Club, where they will face Pass FC. This win serves as a significant morale boost and a testament to their potential to compete against higher-level opponents.

Inter Detroit’s Ryan Goeke and Michigan Stars’ goalkeeper and Zimbabwe international Tatenda Mkuruva Photo: Jeremy Whiting (jwhitingsportphoto)

Protagonist Soccer launches MWPL Insiders podcast

Protagonist Soccer, a media organization dedicated to lower league soccer in the United States, launched today MWPL Insiders, a partnership-podcast dedicated to the Midwest Premier League.

The podcast, centered in the MWPL, plans to provide news coverage, highlights, and guest interviews from the league. Its first episode features Chicago House AC (Heartland Conference – Division 1) President Peter Wilt, who not only founded the MWPL side but also helped launch and grow every current professional soccer club in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

You may listen to the podcast’s episodes along the rest of Protagonist Podcasts content on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Links:
Protagonist Soccer on X
Protagonist Podcasts on X

Former Liquid Football player Barnabas Tanyi named PrvaLiga Player of the Week

Barnabas Tanyi warming up before a game with Liquid Football in the 2023 season. Photo: Braian Mendoza

MWPL alumni and former Liquid Football (Great Lakes Conference) player Barnabas Tanyi was named to the PrvaLiga (Slovenian 1st Tier) Team of the Week (Week 35) after leading his team to a 4-1 victory scoring 2 goals and completing 1 assist in his first start of the year for Slovenian side NK Aluminij against NK Rogaska.

The 21 year old Hungarian born American player, who spent the 2023 season competing in the MWPL with the side from metro Detroit, signed a professional contract with NK Aluminij of the Slovenian 1st tier in the 2024 winter transfer market after becoming the top scorer of the Slovenian third tier with NK Brezice.

The young footballer, who was also named Player of the Week, shares Team of the Week honors with players of the caliber of Slovenian internationals Tamar Svetlin (NK Celje), Aleks Pihler (NK Maribor) and Josip Ilicic (NK Maribor, former Fiorentina and Atalanta).

Links:
Watch Barnabas Tanyi’s goals and assist on X
Prva Liga Team of the Week 35 on X`

The MWPL Welcomes Northern Indiana FC for 2024

The Midwest Premier League is proud to welcome Northern Indiana FC (South Bend, IN) to the league for the 2024 season. They will compete in the Great Lakes Conference.

NIFC is led by Club President Pablo Rodriguez and directors Thiago Pinto and Omar Gallo.

“We’re thrilled to join the highly organized, competitive, and community-centric Midwest Regional League. For Northern Indiana FC, this step is integral in our commitment to not just being a community team, but a pro-development force.

We aim to deliver top-notch resources to players, coaches, and fans within our community, fostering a legacy of excellence,” said, Rodriguez.

“The MWPL is excited to add NIFC and see them as a club that can compete right away and will also bring a strong commitment to their local community,” added MWPL Commissioner, Patrick Hodgins.

More details on the coaching staff, home field, and player tryouts will be available shortly. In the meantime, you can follow NIFC on Facebook (northernindianafc) and Instagram (northernindianafc) or check out their website at northernindiana-fc.com.

Pearl City SC Added To The Gateway Conference

The Midwest Premier League is excited to welcome Pearl City Soccer Club (Muscatine, IA) for 2024! They’ll play in the Gateway Conference.

Established in March of 2016, Pearl City SC is led by Executive Director and Director of Coaching, Walton Ponce. They’re a youth club with club/travel teams that range from U8 to U18, as well as a youth recreational league.

“We are excited for the opportunity to join the Midwest Premier League providing a platform for the talent in the Muscatine and Southeast Iowa Area. Participating in this league will allow us to provide a top-tier level program in our club and to promote the game of soccer in the communities that we impact, ” said Ponce.

“We’re happy to see further growth in the Gateway Conference with Pearl City and are excited to be working with them as they expand their adult program into the MWPL,” added MWPL Commissioner, Patrick Hodgins.

For more information, you can visit their website at pearlcitysoccerclub.com or follow them on Facebook (PearlCitySoccerClub) and Instagram (pearlcitysc).

MWPL Welcomes Chicago Ghost FC

The Midwest Premier League is excited to announce Chicago Ghost FC as the latest expansion club to join the league for the 2024 season. They will compete in the Heartland Conference.

Founded in 2018, the club originated as a recreational squad before joining NSL Chicago (now the Greater Chicago Soccer League) where they won the U23 Division in their debut season in 2023.

“The MWPL is thrilled about the continued growth of the Heartland Conference and is glad to see a club like Chicago Ghost progress and join the league. Their club is run by an ambitious group of friends who are passionate about the game and their local community,” said MWPL Commissioner, Patrick Hodgins.

The club is led by Owner/CEO Matthew Alcala, as well as co-founders Nolan Ehlers, Krystofer Selega, Matt Bassier, Clayton Mobile, and Alexis “Buzz” Diaz.

“We are thrilled to join such a prestigious league and are very excited to compete against premier clubs in the Heartland Conference. Joining the Midwest Premier League creates new opportunities for our players, club, and community to continue their passion for the sport,” said Alcala.

Chicago Ghost will play their home games at Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark. While their coaching staff is still being finalized, interested players can fill out this form and learn more about joining the club.

Fans can learn more about the club and stay up to date with the latest news by heading to chicagoghostfc.com or by visiting linktr.ee/chicagoghostfc.

AFC Roscoe Joins MWPL for 2024 Season

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) is proud to welcome AFC Roscoe (Chicago, IL) as the latest expansion club to join the league ahead of the 2024 season.

The Chicago-based club was founded in 2021 by Zico Shaker and is led by Club President Tommy Bender. Before the MWPL, Roscoe played in the NSL Chicago (now the Greater Chicago Soccer League) and were back-to-back champions of the Chicago Division in 2021 and 2022. For the 2024 season, Roscoe will compete in the MWPL Heartland Conference.

“We are extremely excited for the opportunity to compete against top clubs in the Midwest while continuing to push towards our club goals of providing high-level play and giving back to our Chicago community. Forza Roscoe. No fear, ” said Roscoe President Tommy Bender.

MWPL Commissioner, Patrick Hodgins added, “The MWPL is happy to add AFC Roscoe to our Heartland Conference for 2024. They are a well-run club both on and off the field and will add to the quality of the clubs in Chicagoland.”

AFC Roscoe plans to hold tryouts in March. You can learn more about the club and stay up to date on their latest news by visiting their website afcroscoevillage.com and by following them on Instagram (@afcroscoevillage).

2030 MWPL Plan: Heartland Conference Update

The clubs of the Heartland Conference have proposed a two-division plan, based on sporting merit, to the league’s Board of Directors for the 2024 season. As the league grows through expansion and conferences shift geographically, the final determination on the establishment of the tiered system will be made early in the calendar year. 

If the Heartland Conference does not reach a minimum number of clubs in ’24, a single-division format will be used, the results of which may serve to seed clubs into multiple divisions in ’25. 

The multi-division system will include some form of promotion and relegation, which will be determined prospectively.

For clubs interested in joining the MWPL, you can find more information here: midwestpl.com/membershipinfo. Applications will be accepted until the Expansion Deadline on December 31st.

You can stay up to date on all the latest league news by following the MWPL on Facebook (mwplsoccer), Instagram (midwest_pl), and Twitter (midwestpl).

Introducing Your Great Lakes East Champion: Inter Detroit

Massimo Cipriano

The first trophy of the 2023 season was lifted by Inter Detroit on Tuesday night, clinching the Great Lakes East title after a 3-2 victory over Michigan Jaguars FC on the red turf at St. Mary’s.

Inter Detroit got the scoring started early, with an eight minute rebound off the post into the back of the net by Shady Omar.

Clinching the division wasn’t going to come that easy however, as Michigan Jaguars FC equalized in the 31st through a blistering Andrew Darakdjian run behind Inter Detroit’s back line that created a one-on-one with the keeper that was slotted into the back of the net.

It was all even at halftime, but Inter Detroit set the tone again early in the 50th. Jaguars FC was dispossessed in the defensive third and was quickly punished by a long-distance strike by Gavin Brose to the far corner.

But again, Darakdjian brought the Jaguars even, this time crashing the net on a low service across the face of the net.

With the match on level terms in its waning phases, it seemed like Inter Detroit’s party would have to wait until next week. However, DaVion Page had other plans.

A frantic 86th minute Inter Detroit corner bobbled around the box until it fell to the feet of Page, who took a touch and knocked the ball into the back of the net. Page ran to the touchline, where he was embraced by the onrushing bench.

This was soon followed by the final whistle, giving Inter Detroit the win and the Great Lakes East title.

This result punches the first ticket to the Great Lakes final on July 29, where Inter Detroit will face the winner of the Great Lakes West.

However, Inter Detroit has one more regular season match against Detroit Union on July 22. This presents Inter Detroit the opportunity to end the 2023 regular season undefeated, before its biggest match of the year.

Ypsi Yetis FC Join The MWPL

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) is proud to welcome Ypsi Yetis FC (Ypsilanti, MI) to the league as an expansion club to begin play in 2024.

Ypsi will join the Great Lakes Conference in a division to be determined once the league’s conference alignment is finalized ahead of the 2024 League AGM in February.

“We’re happy to welcome the Yetis to the league and the evergrowing Great Lakes Conference. They bring fun branding to the MWPL and fit well with our community-focused philosophy,” said MWPL Commissioner, Patrick Hodgins.

The club is led by Roland Gibson, the club founder and owner. Gibson launched the club earlier this year but is well-versed with the MWPL, having spent time playing for Detroit Union FC, among other clubs in the area. He is also a youth coach for the Michigan Tigers and holds a USSF C License. He played collegiately for Spring Arbor University.

“We are ecstatic about joining the Midwest Premier League and we’re eager to hit the ground running this winter with some exciting announcements. As a first-year team in the MWPL, we are optimistic to make a notable impact by connecting with the untapped soccer talent in the greater Ann Arbor area.

Involving the community and their families through the game of soccer are key goals that our club and league share. We hope to give back a rewarding experience for our players and also our fans & staff through the Ypsi Yetis,” said Gibson.

Joining Gibson in the club’s front office is Kyle Braunschneider and Hailey Donnellon. Braunschneider, who is also a youth coach for the Michigan Tigers and holds a USSF C License, as well as a BS in Sports Management and Communication. Donnellon, who has playing experience at Madonna University, is currently a physical therapy tech and has a BS in Exercise and Sports Science.

The Yetis have announced that their tryouts will take place on December 27th. Interested trialists can sign up here ypsiyetisfc.com/tryouts. The club plans to announce its coaching staff soon.

You can find their website at ypsiyetisfc.com and follow them on Facebook (@YpsiYetisFC), Instagram (@ypsi_yetisfc), and Twitter (@Ypsi_YetisFC).