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Adnan Bašić: MWPL 2024 Season Recap

Hello, my name is Adnan Bašić, and welcome to the third and final Midwest Premier League whiparound of the year!

It feels like the 2024 MWPL season only kicked off the other day, but we’ve already come to the conclusion of each and every conference. There were some big winners, some disappointing seasons, and a whole lot of narrative at the end of the day

So, what exactly took place? Let’s find out. 

A tour of the standings

There’s no need to do a tour of the standings at this point because all the winners will be mentioned in their own sections anyway. This article’s long enough already.

Job Done

The last time we checked in on the Cedar Rapids Inferno, they were on the verge of securing the Gateway Conference title thanks to their superb start to the season.

They did not bottle it, and a draw on the road against AFC Columbia was enough to be crowned champions with two matches to spare. 

“It was cool to do it at home. We would’ve liked to do it with three points, but that’s whatever. It was nice to see how dominant the season was, and maybe it even would’ve been nice to have a bit more of a challenge at the end,” said club owner and head coach Kenan Malicevic. “The good thing is it let me play some of the younger players during the final stretch. Columbia is a good team, and even though it was a tie it still felt like a win because we won the championship.”

Since the Inferno had been so good, they were able to enjoy themselves during the final few games and not have to worry about picking up any points. That also allowed them to send away some of their star players while rewarding their lesser-used talent with minutes on the field.

“It was a wonderful feeling as a coach to start younger players, high school players who don’t usually have that experience of starting games,” said Malicevic. “I got to rest some of the older guys who we leaned on, and for the first time I was able to tell the guys to go on vacation. They now have time to rest up before they go back to college, and it was all really nice.”

The Greatest in the Lakes

The battles for the Great Lakes East and West divisions were both exciting ones, which set the stage for a thrilling finale.

In the end it was the representatives from the east who picked up the title, as Cedars FC defeated Northern Indiana FC 3-1 in a fun affair.

Cedars had to fight until the final day to win the East Division. They were involved in a really tight race with Michigan Stars U23, which meant they went into their final two division games knowing they’d have to win both of them. They did just that, and in style too.

The penultimate fixture was a 5-1 win at home against Thundercats SC. That set the stage for a final away day against Troy United FC that resulted in another four-goal victory and the division championship.

“It was good to see the performance the boys put together on the final day to secure the top of the table. We knew going into our last three games that we would need nine points out of nine to secure the division,” said Salvatore Piraine. “Not only did we achieve that goal, but we did so by scoring 10 goals and only conceding 2. It was a masterclass performance from the group.”

That was only step one. Then came the match for the Great Lakes Conference championship, which was an especially tough test for a Cedars team that had to get the job done on the road.

“Going into the final match vs Northern Indiana FC, we knew that it would be a massive challenge. Playing away on a massive grass pitch is something that we were not accustomed to. We gave very specific instructions to the boys before the match on how we want to address our opponents and the pitch size,” said Piraine. “It took us a bit to get acclimated to the opponents, but once we drew the score to 1-1, we knew we had a great chance of imposing our game and frustrating our opponents. The second half was a great team performance, and the last 10 minutes were very exciting, which is exactly what a championship match should be like!”

While those 90 minutes in particular were what won them the conference title, it was simply a culmination of all the hard work they put in as an organization.

“The support from our fans, board members, players and coaching staff is massively important to me. This championship was achieved because of all those things mentioned above and bringing it all together in the very end,” said Piraine. “We set a goal in the beginning when I got hired in, and that was for us to believe in the players that are attending training and committed to the group despite not always being chosen for the 18. We used a large player pool to achieve this and I would not have it any other way.”

How do you say “remontada” in Croatian?

For most of the campaign, it felt like this section would be highlighting Chicago House AC or Bavarian United SC. Those two clubs had been leading the way in the Heartland Conference’s Division 1, and things seemed set for a two-horse race.

Then RWB Adria locked in.

They lost to the Bavarians on matchweek three, and two games later they were held to a draw against DeKalb County United. This put them firmly behind the eight ball, especially with how well House had been doing.

Adria needed to win all five of their next games to have any real hope of stealing the title, with two of those matches against Chicago. And that’s exactly what they did.

RWB Adria’s road began with a victory on the road against House, and it concluded with a home win versus the same opposition. Technically speaking, Adria only needed to not lose by two or more goals on the final day to finish in 1st, but they still beat Chicago regardless, sealing a remarkable comeback story in the process.

“It was a tough game, it went how we expected. They’re a great team, we won 1-0 against them before, and they’re a good opponent. Five games ago we knew we needed to win all of them, we were playing five finals,” said coach Julio Rosales. “The kids here do a great job, it was very impressive because of how hard the guys were working in practice, giving it 100% every day. They deserve this.”

“It means a lot. We’ve been in the league since the beginning, and we’ve always been the bridesmaid, but now we’re the bride. We’re not the prettiest group, but we’re the bride now,” said team president Ante Loncar, who also shouted out a helping hand. “Us and DeKalb were the two hottest teams to end the season. I got to give them credit, they scalped House away, they took a point from Bavarians, and they took a point from us. That opened the title race and made it interesting.”

Speaking of DeKalb, they had a solid season, especially compared to what many were expecting. They were viewed as real relegation candidates, but they ended the year in 4th and were seven points clear of the drop.

“Staying up helps validate the fact that you’re doing things the right way. It feels great, and it’s a cool thing that the league is doing pro/rel,” said DeKalb president John Hall. “We were top five the last two seasons, so it’s technically an improvement. Ultimately it’s a credit to the coaches and the players and their commitment. We’re keeping the ball rolling in the right direction, and those late-season wins get everyone excited for next season already.”

Sinking Steel

As lovely as promotion and relegation is to have, there’s always going to be the one major drawback to it. Someone’s going to get their heart broken. Someone’s got to be the one to get sent down.

That ultimately proved to be Steel City FC.

While they only picked up four points from their 12 games, they were far from being the punching bag of the division. They started the season with a classic match against Chicago House AC, but failed to get any sort of result from the contest. 

That was pretty much the story of their season. Only two of their losses were by more than two goals, and each of their final three contests ended in a 2-1 defeat. Their last stand was also their most devastating, as they had the lead in a relegation battle versus Czarni Jaslo, and a win would’ve been enough to secure safety. They just couldn’t hold on, though.

That means they’ll be in the 2nd division next campaign, but there’s still genuine hope and excitement for the future. 

“This season was all about us not finishing our chances and not closing games out,” said head coach Nigel Dillard. “Based on our talent on paper, we were just as talented as anyone in the league. Sometimes things just didn’t go our way. We’ll learn from it, especially because our average age was about 21, we’ve had a lot of young players. I believe next season we’ll come out strong.”

“Everyone was pretty upset when we were relegated, but we’re a strong and resilient bunch. I don’t let things affect me as a coach, I don’t feel like a failure because I’m always trying to get better and improve the team. The attitude of the boys reflects that,” said Dillard. “We’re excited to try and get promoted next year.”

One of the best things about Steel City has been the work they do off the pitch, specifically their social media accounts.

Plenty of lower league teams struggle to capitalize on the potential social media has, and it’s enough for many of them to simply post the team’s score and schedule. Steel City does so much more.

They tell stories. If you see one of their posts before or after a game, it’s closer to a short essay than it is a statement of fact. It’s well-written, it draws the emotion out of their matches, and it’s a joy to read every time. As a journalist myself, real recognizes real.

“The social media work is just a part of the club’s overall ethos. It’s all kind of tied together, and it comes back to what we’re trying to accomplish,” said chairman Ivaldo Basso. “The creation of the club was to try and be like a minor league baseball team. Those teams have thousands of fans, and they look and feel like a legitimate family product. They have a loyal following that cares about the team, the players, and the stories.”

“There’s not enough stories being told at this level. We watch sports because of the stories. American football is really popular, but a new league that’s not the NFL always fails because no one wants to watch a team or league that they know nothing about. If there’s no storyline, they won’t care,” said Basso. “Only a few take the time to tell these stories that people can get attached to. It’s a lot of fun, especially at this level with the players and the stories they have. They all have jobs and work hard. We love to pay them back for their work and highlight their accomplishments.”

While it will be sad to see Steel City FC depart the first division, they’ll certainly add a level of talent and excitement to the second division.

Up and Up

There will be two teams replacing them in the first division, and those teams are AFC Roscoe and the Green Bay Glory.

The two sides made hot starts to the season. Green Bay scored 12 goals in their three matches, and they won every game until they came up against Roscoe, who went on a run of six straight victories after an opening day draw.

Roscoe never really slowed up, losing only once during their campaign. That led to them storming to the league title, which is an added bonus on top of securing a spot in the first division.

“It’s huge for us. Our goal was promotion to start the year, and after the first few games our new aim was to win the division,” said Adam Nijhawan. “It was a big moment. We put a big focus on recruiting in the offseason, and we had a large group of players that all contributed to this. It’s a testament to the hard work the board members have done, and the winning culture is contagious, and were looking to build on it. It was a real group effort.”

One of the big reasons for their success was the efforts of Morais Lee, who led the way with nine goals over the course of the year, winning the Golden Boot in Heartland Division 2.

“It was my first season with the team, and it was only possible because of them. I took things one game at a time, and that really helped me focus and put everything together by the end of it,” said Lee. “I am a passionate player, and I wanted to make sure they were a team that had a drive to improve when I joined. We’re a competitive team, and everyone there played with a passion and a purpose. We played as a team that wanted to win something, and that made us strive toward the future.”

Green Bay slowed down a bit towards the end of the campaign, but their work had pretty much been done already. They secured the number two spot in the standings, which also gave them promotion.

“Securing promotion in our inaugural season is a monumental achievement for Green Bay Glory. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of everyone involved with the club, from the players and coaching staff to the supporters and community,” said co-founder Kerry Geocaris. “This achievement brings immense pride to the club and our community, solidifying our place among the top teams in the league.”

“Considering the short amount of time we had to pull everything together, the way this group has bonded and performed is truly special. We had players from various soccer backgrounds, but what stood out was their character and dedication. This group quickly became a family, unified by a shared goal and an unbreakable spirit,” said co-founder Kerry Geocaris. “Despite challenges like rain at every home game, balancing jobs, and 6am practices, with some of our guys driving an hour or two to make it, everyone showed up with incredible commitment. The support from the community has been overwhelming, and we’re incredibly grateful for it. This season has laid a strong foundation, and we’re excited to see how our team and community can grow together from here.”

That nod to the future is an important one. Making it to the first division is one thing, but staying there is going to be another challenge altogether. Both clubs are ready for the fight, though.

“The offseason will be crucial for both our players and the organization,” said Geocaris. “For the players, it’s a time to recharge and focus on their individual goals, whether that’s gearing up for their college seasons or navigating the next phases of their lives. As an organization, the offseason is a time for us to plan and strategize for the future. We’re focused on expanding our mission of serving the community and creating opportunities for success through soccer. The groundwork we lay now will be essential for sustaining the momentum we’ve built and taking Green Bay Glory to new heights.”

“It’s a huge offseason. We have a solid core now, and recruitment will be as important as ever,” said AFC Roscoe’s Nijhawan. “We’re looking at opportunities for our players to help them build their careers, and were finding smaller pieces to fill some holes and add to the team. We’re excited for it.”

A note from the writer

Heyo, Adnan here, the dude who wrote this whole thing. 

I just wanted to leave a quick thank you for everyone that’s supported my coverage of the league these past few months, and thank the league for allowing me to write these recap articles. It means a lot.

I hope to see everyone again next summer.
Take care. 

Featured Article Image: Denise Allen Photography

Adnan Bašić: MWPL Midseason Whiparound

Good afternoon, my name is Adnan Bašić, and welcome to the second-ever Midwest Premier League whiparound!

We’re a bit past the midway point of the MWPL season, which makes now a great time to take a look around the league and take stock of what’s going on. There’s been some good from teams, some bad, and some really intriguing results. 

What exactly are those results? Let’s find out. 

A tour of the standings

Before we get into the storylines and narratives, we’ll see how each conference is shaping up at the moment.

(All results as of July 11th)

The Gateway Conference sees Cedar Rapids Inferno ahead of the rest, as they’ve picked up five more points than AFC Columbia with one less game played. There’s three teams from St. Louis all hanging around in midtable, with St. Louis Stars SC, Club Atletico Saint Louis, and Ajax St. Louis separated by only three points. The bottom sees Pearl City Soccer Club and Southeast Soccer Academy fighting to avoid the last spot in the standings.

The Great Lakes East Conference is a real battle at the top. Michigan Stars Semipro sit two points ahead of Thundercats FC at the top, who themselves are only two points ahead of Troy United FC and Cedars FC. On the opposite end of the table we have Ypsi Yetis FC, who have just a single draw to their name this campaign.

The Great Lakes West Conference has two teams above the rest. Northern Indiana FC have been perfect this season, winning all eight of their games so far, with a dominant +22 goal differential ahead of this afternoon’s matches. They’ve not been able to pull away, though, as 1927SC have won all but one of their games, setting up a tasty title race. Indy Boyz FC are the basement dwellers here, losing each of their matches. 

It’s a similar story in the Heartland Division 1 Conference. Bavarian United are narrowly ahead of Chicago House Athletic Club, with a three point lead and one more game played, but Chicago does own the tiebreaker between the two. This conference has relegation, and the fight to avoid the drop is a thrilling one, with Czarni Jasło, Dekalb County United, and Steel City all tied on points at the moment.

Photo: Miles Whitworth

The Heartland Division 2 Conference, as a result, has promotion. The current favorite for that is AFC Roscoe, who sit in 1st place following a strong run of results. Green Bay Glory is on their heels, though, and they could go top themselves if they take advantage of their game in hand. Holding down the fort here is Strikers Fox Valley SC, with one point from eight contests.

Alright enough of the facts and figures, let’s get some quotes from the teams themselves. 

Catching fire

One of the most impressive teams in the league this year has been the aforementioned Cedar Rapids Inferno, who are very likely to win the Gateway Division. Up five points with only three games left to go, they pretty much just need a single point to lock up the title.

While they did finish in a solid 2nd place last time around, a new generation of players have helped them make that next step forward.

Photo: Nathan Porter

“There’s usually a lot of college egos when you bring in those players, but we have had none of that this season,” said club owner and head coach Kenan Malicevic. “No one thinks they’re above anyone else here, and it’s not usually like this. We have a hardworking group of guys, they work for each other, and they celebrate each other. It’s been remarkable to watch and they’ve been a joy to coach.”

Fans would be right to assume that the smart thing to do is bring in younger players, but while that’s usually true, getting those players to perform is a lot harder than it seems. They’re still in the process of learning about what it’s like to be a soccer player on and off the field, and they sometimes lack the maturity needed to grow. 

That’s why the coaching they receive at that stage of their career is so important.

“I’ve treated them as professionals, I don’t treat them as youngsters,” said Malicevic. “The only way for them to improve is to have them train for the level they want to be at. That starts with standards, and the standards here are high, in terms of what time practice is, to what they wear during practice, to having the right behavior during practice. It’s all translated onto the field.”

You can’t forget about the old guard, though.

“We have a solid mix of guys that have been here and fresh new blood that are just out of high school. Our returners have been my right hand men out there. We don’t really have assistants like that, so the old guys have been role models in their own ways,” said Malicevic. “They lead on and off the field, they work hard, and they’re always supportive even if they don’t play. They are welcoming to the new guys. It’s all translated to hard work in practice, and then they all want to win when it’s gametime.”

Just like for Spain at Euro 2024, this mixture of young and old seems to be a winning formula for the Inferno.

Northern perfection

There are only two perfect teams in the MWPL this campaign, and the only team to have played and won more than six in a row in Northern Indiana FC, who are a remarkable 8-0-0.

It’s a stellar start for the debutantes, and the key to their success has been getting everyone on board and on the same page.

The perfect season so far is credit to our community support. Everything we’ve done has been intentional when it comes to collaboration,” said club director Omar Gallo. “Myself, fellow director Thiago Pinto, and our president Pablo Rodriguez all have the same vision, as do our board and community partners. If the vision is clear and concise, it makes the players’ and coaches’ jobs easier. From a playing standpoint, the coach has done a great job of managing the players when it comes to training and playing, creating an environment that allows our guys to be successful off and on the pitch. Each session the guys enjoy themselves, they stay competitive, and they hold each other to a standard which translates to our games.”

They’ve been winning these games in some style, scoring 29 goals and only conceding 7. That has seemingly set them up for a clear run to the division title.

However, they’ve not clinched anything just yet. The bad news for Indy is that they’ve got competition right on their heels, with 1927 sat only three points behind in 2nd since they’ve won seven out of their eight contests.

Photo: Chris Robotham

1927SC is having a great season, and credit goes to their entire club. Having them right behind us every week is exciting because it creates a challenge for our players. “This ties in to one of the reasons why we’re also having success. Them being behind us motivates our players to want more,” said Gallo. “It creates a great experience for the entire league to have two teams battling up until the last day!”

The two sides will face off on the final day on July 17th, and that’s looking like it’ll be an absolute classic. 

Proper relegation scrap

Chicago House Athletic Club are in pole position to win the Heartland Conference’s top division, which would be the first title in club history.

“There’s a long way to go. This is a tougher road because of the two-tier system,” House president Peter Wilt told me. “There’s no easy games. Last year there were some teams at the bottom of the table that made things easier, but this season every game is a battle. Being able to be in the running at the top is a credit to the coaches and the players.”

However, the more intriguing battle is at the other end of the table. There are currently three teams tied for last place, with them being Steel City FC, DeKalb County United, and Czarni Jasło. This fight to avoid the wooden spoon would be interesting in any division, but it’s especially exciting in a division that features relegation, where the team that does end up in last will be sent down to Division 2.

That has added a real pressure to every contest, and it’s set the stage for a hell of a battle.

“We are aware of our position in the table and quite honestly we are disappointed in the results at this point in the season. For whatever reason things haven’t clicked like the past few years but that’s the game. We will come up short of our preseason goals but we’ve shifted our mindset now to survival in the first division,” said DeKalb president John Hall. “We aren’t afraid of the fight. Our players and coaching staff are hard at work to get the results we need over these next few weeks. I’m personally thrilled that the MWPL has backed the two division system so we have the chance to worry about these things. Now we just have to get the job done. As they say ‘ball don’t lie.’ So it’s time to show that we deserve to stay up.” 

“We had a slow start to the season, so there was that worry early on. Our mentality is that we’re focusing on one game at a time, and we aren’t really scared or afraid of getting relegated,” said Brandon Camacho. “I think our communication has improved, the team is a lot more open with each other and together, and that is a credit to our head coach. We’re still growing as a club, implementing new things every day.”

Most fans would be really surprised to see Czarni Jaslo down here, as they were the winners of the Heartland Conference last year. However, it seems like the club has suffered from their previous success.

“One significant factor is last year’s success, where we won the MWPL Hartland Division, the Illinois State Cup, and numerous tournaments. This recognition led to our players receiving offers from professional clubs or teams that provide financial incentives, resulting in key players leaving,” said vice president and head coach Maciej Orlowski. “Additionally, our status as reigning champions has made us a target, with every team aiming to defeat us. Even teams with no chance of winning the championship circle our team on their schedule because we are the team to beat.”

“Avoiding relegation is crucial for the club, as remaining in the premier division ensures better sponsorship deals and attracts quality players eager to compete against top-tier competition. It also maintains the club’s prestige and helps us appeal to top players and coaching staff,” said Orlowski. “Relegation could lead to financial instability, loss of fan support, and a prolonged struggle to regain top-tier status, especially given the quality of teams in the lower tier.”

The final stretch of the season is going to be huge, as no one wants to become the MWPL equivalent of Hamburg.

La remontada de Rockford

AFC Roscoe lead the way in the second division at the moment, with fellow newcomers Green Bay Glory right behind them.

“I’ve learned a lot about how willing our guys are to step up to the challenge, and I’m very proud to see it all come together,” Roscoe president Adam Nijhawan told midwestpl.com. “We started as a Sunday league team, and to see the level of commitment now is incredible. We showed a lot of mental toughness to rebound from our start to the season, we put our heads down and kept working, and the results showed that, it shows the character of the team.”

However, the most interesting storyline involves the team in 4th place. That would be Rockford FC.

For those who have paid attention to the MWPL in recent years, you’ll know about the team’s struggles. Things were especially bad last season, as they were dead last in a 10-team Heartland Division, only picking up two points and ending with a shocking -39 goal differential.

That’s changed this time around. While they won’t have enough to seal promotion, they’ve still amassed a remarkable 13 points, with four wins on the campaign. Their goal differential is only at -3 now. 

Photo: Miles Whitworth

What’s been the catalyst? Internal competition.

“As with any program or company, when you have no competition, you don’t bring the best out of people cause there’s no need to perform. What we did this year was develop our U23 program, thus creating an internal battle for spots in the first team,” said club president Samir Romero. “That created a major need for players to develop, create goals, and push themselves to the next level.”

Taking on a challenge like that, especially after an awful season for the first team, was always going to be a risk. Fortune tends to favor the bold, though.

“That’s the scary part. With a new developmental program, you don’t want to overdo things. We thought we would’ve taken steps forward before, but we took steps back. Our goal was always to develop the program. The worst thing you could do at that point is try to over-expand, but the reality was that we needed that revolt and that different view to push the first team,” said Romero. “We knew the U23’s were the answer to grow further and we took that leap of faith. The biggest worry was not having enough players for the season, but we knew if we had better performances and did more for the players, then they’d be more likely to stay.”

This quick turnaround has put Rockford in a much better position for the future, and they don’t plan on going backwards again anytime soon.

“At some point we’ll have to stop thinking about growth and development and focus on the now, but we still have room to grow,” said Romero. “The dream has always been to have a girls team, but that might have to wait a little longer. We’d love to get the community involved, get the players involved in the community and not just have this be a summer program, but a year long team. That’s for later, though.” 

Adnan Bašić: A closer look at the MWPL’s conferences one month in.

Adnan Bašić

Good afternoon, my name is Adnan Bašić, and welcome to the first-ever Midwest Premier League whiparound!

Picture by: Jeremy Whiting


The 2024 campaign began about a month ago, but the games have really started to come thick and fast in recent weeks. There’s been some good, some bad, and some really interesting, which is exactly what you want from an amateur league at the end of the day.

So what’s been going on?

A tour of the standings

To start things off simple, let’s take a look at the standings so far. There’s not been too many games, but there’s still some intriguing story lines already starting to unfold.

(All results as of June 4th)

The Gateway Conference doesn’t have much to write about just yet. Cedar Rapids Inferno and St Louis Stars SC both sit at the top with seven points from three games, while Ajax St Louis could join them if they win their game in hand. Pearl City Soccer Club are at the bottom, but both of their losses have been close ones. 

Heading over to the Great Lakes East, Thundercats FC currently lead the pack with three wins from three, but the more chaotic team has been Inter Detroit. In four games they’ve scored a remarkable 16 goals, and they’ve also conceded an almost equally remarkable 12. That’s 28 goals in total, for an average of seven a match. They opened the campaign with a 7-4 win, then followed it up with a 6-2 loss. Turning to midtable, there’s Futsal Factory Academy, who have managed to play six games already, two more than any other team in the East Division. The bottom sees Ypsi Yetis FC, who are the only side yet to pick up a point.

“We’ve scored a lot of goals, but we’ve also conceded a handful. There’s been pressure to win again, so we know we had to come out firing. We haven’t done the job defensively, but we’ve been working on that and cleaning things up, which we have done a bit already. The guys are excited, and we just need to keep doing our job,” said Inter Detroit president Edwin Jimenez. “Last year we scored a total of 47 goals in 10 games, and we only conceded 10. The goal was to pass that goalscoring record, but we’ve already conceded in four games what we conceded in 10. It’s hard because there’s a lot of tough teams and teams with talent, but if we wanna be the best, these are the things we’ll have to deal with.”

We go from the Great Lakes East to the Great Lakes West, where the duality of man is really on show. Northern Indiana FC has made a lovely start to life, winning their first four games and flying to the top of the division table, while the Holland Rovers are also perfect, although they’ve only played twice. Meanwhile, on the other end of the standings, both Tulip City United SC and Indy Boyz FC have lost all four of their opening contests. There’s plenty of time for both to turn things around, but there’s a chance the team from South Bend could run away with it.

The winners of the Great Lakes East Division will face the winners of the West Division in a Great Lakes Conference Championship Game on July 27 in Lansing, MI.

Up next is the Heartland Conference, which is unique since it’s the only MWPL conference with promotion and relegation. 

Division 1 unsurprisingly has Bavarian United SC at the top, with a 100% win record after four matches, although Chicago House AC has the same winning percentage, just with two fewer games. The surprising part of the table is at the bottom, with last-year’s winners Czarni Jaslo Chicago failing to pick up a single point so far, scoring just twice and conceding ten in four games.

Division 2, meanwhile, might be home to the best team in the entire league so far. The Green Bay Glory have won four like many others, but their goal differential makes them stand out, with 14 goals scored versus just 1 conceded. They’re five points ahead of AFC Roscoe as a result, but the latter do have a game in hand. Everyone in this division has at least one point to their name, and Rockford FC picked up a pretty marquee win when they defeated Edgewater Castle FC.

That’s the last of the conferences to cover, and it’ll be interesting to see how much changes in the coming month.

Picture by: Miles Whitworth


Promotional push

One of the coolest things about this season in the MWPL was the introduction of promotion and relegation in the Heartland Conference. It’s a simple set up, as the last place team in Division 1 will be sent down to Division 2, and the top two teams in Division 2 will rise up to Division 1.

Pro/rel, as the kids call it, is something we barely see any of in American soccer, and it’s completely nonexistent at the highest level. Many feel that’s a shame, as pro/rel is a meritocracy-based format that rewards teams who do well, and punishes those who don’t. This has added a new dynamic to the Heartland Conference, giving teams something to fight for and something to fight against.

One team who’s really in the midst of a promotion push is the aforementioned Glory, who have picked up 12 points from their opening four games. They’ve made themselves one of the early favorites to go up, and they’re looking to keep the good times rolling.

“We started really hot, we’ve been starting hot the whole year. That’s been a big part of us, getting up early and then holding on to the lead. The biggest thing has been motivating the guys to keep the energy high in games and in practice. We gotta think of creative ways to maintain that so there’s not a drop off,” said head coach Patrick Birder. “It’s our first year and it’s been going well, but at some point you know there’s gotta be some downturn, so weathering that and moving forward is going to be key.”

While Edgewater Castle hasn’t been as hot out the blocks, they were a team that many fancied to get promoted, and they’re still very alive in that race. 

“There’s no doubt that adding pro/rel to the Heartland Conference adds higher stakes to the whole season and to each individual match. This creates a more intriguing story within each match, and that gets people more excited to come out and support the clubs and the league,” said founder, president, and general manager Andrew Swanson. “Being on the inside of a potential promotion season this year, I can definitely say that it’s also more stressful.” 

So that’s one side of the pro/rel coin, and coins famously have two sides. Division 1 is concerned with avoiding relegation and making sure they retain their status as a Division 1 team. DeKalb County United isn’t at the bottom at the moment, and they’re not planning on getting into a fight at the bottom.

“We managed to get ourselves placed into the top division, which has been a great test of our coaches and our players, but we’re up for it! We expected it to be tough, and I think a lot of people thought we would be relegation fodder. The results and performances so far would go against that,” said club director of media and engagement Nik Myles. “We’ve had our two toughest road games before we’ve even kicked a ball at home, and we’re in a healthy place in the league. If we can use our home atmosphere to our advantage, I think we’ll surprise a few people.”

DeKalb’s also ready for whoever decides to make the jump up, and leaves them with a warning.

“If anyone else wants to step up and join us, they’re welcome to the bum fight.”

No one’s getting promoted or relegated in June, though, so we’ll have to wait and see how the Heartland Conference unfolds. 

New kids on the block

With the start of the new campaign, there were a number of new sides joining the Midwest Premier League. There are eight teams playing in their first season here, and while there’s been varying results, each club has dealt with similar challenges.

Chicago Ghost joined Division 2 in the Heartland Conference and has quickly learned what it’s like to handle an expansion roster, having to manage a number of different talents in a short amount of time on the practice field.

“The biggest challenge is obviously the amount of new players. How does each individual player fit into the system and the way we want to play? As a learning experience, only training once a week, I think the growth we’ve seen from the first game to our most recent was really pleasant to see,” said head coach Jamie Martin. “We talked about making sure to get three points on the board to start. The first game we lost, the second we tied, so it’s always a little bit anxious when you don’t have a win. Beating Rockford was huge to settle us down, and we can kick on from that.” 

Another newbie is Junction FC in the Gateway Conference, in their first year of existence, who have focused on maximizing their market in Decatur while also making the most of their spot in the league. 

“As a first-year club in the MWPL, we’ve faced numerous challenges. Garnering support at the lower levels in central Illinois is difficult – especially in soccer because we are under-served in our soccer market. What we’ve learned is that putting on a good product from the start and connecting with the community is crucial for success in central Illinois, and we fully intend to make that happen,” said founder and president Abby Hammer. “Within the league, it’s challenging to be taken seriously as newcomers, even though we have valuable advice to offer. Despite this, the league is generally collaborative…We’ve made many great connections and learned a lot from other teams about their markets and what works for them.”

Green Bay Glory have gotten off to a flying start to life, and are a bit more of a unique case. They’re in a division with sides mostly in and around the Chicagoland area. They’re up north in Wisconsin, which means a much longer commute than others for away days.

“We had a little bit of experience before on the girls side, which set the stage for making these trips for the guys, we’ve had to travel long distances. With Green Bay, we don’t have these higher-level opportunities, so being able to play teams like this at this level and making these trips is really exciting,” said owner and assistant coach Kerry Geocaris.

It’s not hampered them in the slightest, though. “It’s awesome. Coming in we didn’t know what to expect at all, and then being put in the second division seemed kinda scary. To be able to come out the way we have has been awesome. The guys have really come together, and the chemistry has been amazing.”

It’s safe to assume these teams will only get better as the season goes on and they grow more comfortable with the league, which should serve as a warning for the MWPL’s established sides.

Picture by: Miles Whitworth

Goodnight sweet prince

This was initially going to be a section on Chicago House Athletic Club’s upcoming friendly with the Chivas U-23 team. I had talked to president Peter Wilt, head coach Matt Poland, and captain AR Smith about the exciting matchup against the youth side of a Liga MX powerhouse. 

Then the House decided to drop a bombshell on a random Friday afternoon. 

At 10:13 am, the club officially announced the departure of longtime head coach Matt Poland, who is set to join a yet-to-be-announced professional side in a similar role. 

The post was quickly flooded with messages in support of Poland, wishing him luck in the future and thanking him for all the work he had done for Chicago. In the official press release, Peter Wilt said, “We are grateful that Matt has given so much to Chicago House on and off the field over the years. We are thrilled that he has this well-earned opportunity to continue his success in the professional ranks.”

In that same article, captain AR Smith added, “It was a long time coming as well as overdue. Matt’s led this team to successful seasons three years in a row; we’ve competed against and beat teams the whole world thought we would lose to. If anybody deserves an opportunity to go to the next level, it’s that guy.”

I was fortunate enough to speak with Poland moments after the news dropped, and moments after he had wrapped up practice for the day. 

“This has been the longest I’ve been at a club as a coach, and it’s special to have been this long in one space, personally and professionally. Nowadays coaches don’t stay very long, so to be here since 2021 is nice,” said Poland. “It was amazing that (former head coach) C.J. Brown trusted me and gave me an opportunity, and then to have Peter Wilt trust me with the club after Brown departed was a great stepping stone for me. I think I grew a lot, especially the last two years. I was challenged in different ways, both on and off the field, and it drew me to develop more as a coach. I’m very sad about coming to an end with House. I care for the club deeply. I always say the House is my home, but I am excited for the next steps and the next level of responsibilities and challenging myself at the next level.”

Poland took over the head coaching role from Brown at a critical time for the club, as they had just transitioned into amateur status following their start in the professional NISA league. Poland not only steadied the ship, but he also steered it into a positive direction. He guided House through U.S. Open Cup qualifying twice, with two wins in the knockout rounds of the 2023 edition of the tournament, including a dramatic extra-time victory over USL League One side Forward Madison FC, before falling to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in a dream matchup.

“Honestly I think the biggest thing is dealing with adversity. The number of situations that have arisen in the years and dealing with them and dealing with the potential outcomes. Getting guys to know how to deal with adversity, how to frame it in ways that can make the team grow stronger and become better. I think that’s a massive takeaway I’ll take,” said Poland. “The other thing that I’ve really seen is the strength of the community of a football club. We might not be the biggest club in the world, but the fans we have, the staff we have, the self-sacrificing attitude from everyone to make the club successful is the only reason we’ve survived and thrived. There were numerous times where you didn’t necessarily know if we were going to be able to play the next game, and yet somebody stepped up and we made the wheels turn. I’m very proud of where the club is now from where it started and when I took over in 2022 as the head coach.”

The House has not officially announced a new head coach just yet, but according to the press release they are looking to “identify short and long-term appointments to fill Poland’s roles.” Their hope is to have an update by next week.

“I think that the framework and the groundwork we’ve laid is there. It’s just like with the players we’ve had sign professional contracts, it’s next man up. The other thing I always tell the guys is to leave the jersey better than you found it. For me, I think from when I took over in 2022 to now, I’m leaving the club in a better place than I found it,” said Poland. “Now it’s up to the next guys, and I think they’re more than ready and capable to lead that charge. It’s also good for some of our older players, as they’ll get an opportunity to step into more leadership roles in terms of keeping those standards. It’s exciting for a lot of people, and it allows them to grow and develop in different ways as well.”

Poland’s next venture has not been announced yet, but his future should be clear in a few weeks. He’s a great man and a great manager, and it’s clear everyone involved with the MWPL wishes the best for him going forward.

“Up the House forever.”