Midwest Premier League

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Lower League US Soccer

The MWPL welcomes Eastern Indiana United

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) is excited to announce the addition of Eastern Indiana United as the newest member of the league for the 2025 season. Based in Richmond, Indiana, the club is set to bring a fresh presence to the MWPL while benefiting from experienced leadership off the field.

Eastern Indiana United represents a new chapter for Richmond’s soccer community. The club’s leadership team brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to fostering local talent and promoting the sport in the region. Their addition to the MWPL highlights the league’s continued growth and its mission to provide competitive opportunities for clubs across the Midwest.

“We are thrilled to bring MWPL soccer to Richmond,” said Scott Brumfiel, Team President. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to build something special here—a club that reflects the spirit, pride, and hard work of this vibrant city.” Steve Beckman, MWPL President, added: “Adding a club at the MWPL’s level in Richmond will provide new opportunities to the adult players in their area. We look forward to helping them grow as a club as well as the level of talent they’ll bring to the league.“

With their debut season on the horizon, Eastern Indiana United has already begun preparations to assemble a competitive roster and build a strong foundation for the future. The club’s entry into the league further underscores the MWPL’s commitment to expanding its reach and strengthening the level of competition throughout the Midwest.

As part of its launch, the team will host a series of events leading up to the 2025 season, including fan engagement initiatives, local event participation, and open tryouts. These efforts aim to create a team that represents and involves the people of Richmond and all the people in East Central Indiana. Season ticket deposits are available via this link.

The Midwest Premier League looks forward to seeing Eastern Indiana United make their mark in the 2025 season, bringing new energy and excitement to the league. Stay tuned for more updates as the club continues to develop and prepare for their inaugural campaign.

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The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

St. Louis Development Academy set to join the MWPL

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) has announced the addition of St. Louis Development Academy (STLDA) for the 2025 season. Based in Maryland Heights, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, STLDA is renowned for its robust youth soccer programs and a commitment to developing talent across all age groups.

This move marks a significant step for STLDA, providing a platform to showcase its players at a high level while aligning with its mission to foster growth through competition. The club will compete in the Gateway Conference, which features a strong lineup of teams from the region.

“St. Louis Development Academy joining the MWPL adds another pathway to high-level competition for players in the greater St. Louis area,” said MWPL President Steve Beckman. “The players available to them should help them compete right away in the Gateway Conference.“

STLDA Technical Director Dan Donigan expressed his enthusiasm about the club’s acceptance into the league. “We are always looking for platforms and leagues to further enhance our club for player development, competition, and culture. We are excited to be accepted into the MWPL. We are looking forward to a season of great competition, growth, and development for our players and coaches. This opportunity aligns with our club’s mission and vision.”

With a tradition of producing top talent, STLDA is well-positioned to make an impact in the MWPL. Their entry into the league underscores the MWPL’s dedication to expanding opportunities for player development across the Midwest.

The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

Legends FC joins the Midwest Premier League

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) is excited to welcome Legends FC as the newest addition to its Great Lakes Conference for the 2025 season. Based in Brighton, Michigan, Legends FC will play its home matches at the state-of-the-art Legacy Center Sports Complex, further expanding the league’s footprint in the region.

The club, led by Director Ryan Carriere and General Manager Carl Pierce, is committed to providing local players with a pathway to compete at a high level while fostering a vibrant soccer community. Upcoming tryouts for the team will be announced soon, offering players the chance to showcase their talent and join the roster for its inaugural MWPL season.

Carl Pierce, General Manager of Legends FC, shared his enthusiasm for the club’s entry into the MWPL: “We are very excited to join the Midwest Premier League and to bring this opportunity to players in the local area that want to continue to grow and compete at a high level. With Legends FC entering the league, we can’t wait to bring in new talent and passionate fans supporting the game. I’m eager to see how the team performs in their first season and the impact it will have on our local community and club programs.”

Steve Beckman, President of the MWPL, emphasized the significance of Legends FC’s addition: “Legends FC expands the Great Lakes Conference into a new area of Michigan that includes a fantastic indoor facility. Their addition to the league provides new opportunities for players that have progressed through their youth system and are ready for a challenge at the next level.”

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The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

Goshen City FC Joins Midwest Premier League for 2025 Season

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) has officially announced Goshen City FC as the latest addition to its Great Lakes Conference, beginning in the 2025 season. Based in Goshen, Indiana, the club brings with it a proven track record of competition, having spent the last two seasons in the UPSL Midwest Conference.

Goshen City FC is known for its community-driven approach and commitment to developing local talent, traits that align with the MWPL’s mission of fostering competitive and accessible soccer across the Midwest. The addition of the club further strengthens the Great Lakes Conference and expands MWPL’s presence in Indiana.

Henrique Eichenberger, founder of Goshen City FC, expressed his excitement about the move: “We’re thrilled to join this league and its commitment to strong competition and community! We look forward to facing top teams in the Great Lakes Conference and to building exciting new rivalries. This is a major step for our club, and we’re excited for the future!“

MWPL Board of Directors’ President Steve Beckman had this to add “The advisory board and staff at Goshen City FC have built a well-structured club that is already firmly embedded within their local community. An organization like theirs is an example of how to grow the connections between a club and its community. I’m eager to see them perform both on and off the pitch during our upcoming season“

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The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

The expansion deadline for the 2025 MWPL season is December 1st, 2024. Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

Rest in peace, David Hebestreit

The Midwest Premier League is saddened to hear of the passing of David Hebestreit, a pillar in the metro Detroit soccer community and an important figure in lower league soccer in the Midwest region of the United States. David led AFC Ann Arbor as Head Coach during the club’s time in the Great Lakes Premier League and became an important figure in the league that launched in 2015, which served as predecessor to the MWPL founded later on in 2020.

We pay tribute to David Hebestreit, a great friend, and mentor to many of our current members and many people in the soccer community throughout the Midwest.

Midwest United FC U23 set to join MWPL

The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) has announced its first new club for the 2025 season: Midwest United FC U23. Headquartered in Grand Rapids (MI), Midwest United FC was established in June 2015 and has grown into an elite youth soccer organization in the state of Michigan. The club also fields teams in both the USL League Two and the USL W League.

Midwest United’s addition marks the MWPL’s return to Grand Rapids and adds depth to the Great Lakes Conference. Hector Fernandez, a staff coach and director with the club, shared, “We are very excited to field a team in the MWPL. This will give more opportunities for high-level local college players to compete at a good level in the offseason.”

Steve Beckman, President of the MWPL, echoed the enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to have the MWPL return to the Grand Rapids area with the addition of Midwest United. They are a well-established club with a large pool of players that will help them compete right away in our Great Lakes Conference.”

Midwest United FC joins the MWPL aiming to strengthen opportunities for local talent and continue the league’s mission of developing community-based soccer in the region.

The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

The expansion deadline for the 2025 MWPL season is December 1st, 2024. Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

Midwest Premier League Hires Experienced, Visionary Commissioner

New leader brings perspective from English Premier League, national American soccer roles

Chicago, IL – The Midwest Premier League is excited to welcome Duncan Riddle as its League Commissioner for the upcoming 2025 season. Riddle spent nearly a decade at Aston Villa F.C. where he led community and stakeholder relations, before moving across the Atlantic to serve as Executive Director of the United States Adult Soccer Association, the national governing body for adult soccer and the MWPL.

“I am very honored to take on this role,” said Riddle. “The beautiful game continues to grow and mature in America, and this is an exciting time to be involved. I have watched the MWPL grow and evolve in my time in the States, and I am convinced that even more success can be achieved.”

At Aston Villa, Riddle got his start in the club’s community coaching and outreach programs before moving into business and administration roles, where he was most notably responsible for AVFC’s relationship with Acorns Children’s Hospice. As a result, the club was the first professional sports team to promote a charity on their jerseys.

Midwest Premier League Board President Steve Beckman had the following to say about the addition of Riddle: “Duncan’s proven himself in soccer administration at every level and that makes him a great fit for our league. He helped establish the MWPL’s affiliation with USASA and I’m excited about what he can help us accomplish in the future. His deep familiarity with the challenges of amateur soccer will be extremely helpful to us as we continue to grow our league and find new ways to support our member clubs.”

During his time with USASA, Riddle helped increase participation in the National Amateur Cup, launched the annual USASA Soccer Fest, implemented new technologies within the organization, and managed relationships with corporate partners and various soccer organizations across the country. After 12 years of service, he recently left USASA to start his own consultancy business.

The English-born Riddle holds a UEFA ‘A’ coaching license and spent time working with all age groups in the academy at Birmingham City FC before joining Aston Villa F.C. in 2002. Riddle joins a commissioners group that includes Associate Commissioners Shawn Carroll and Aaron Vnuk, who are returning for their third-straight seasons with the league.

The Midwest Premier League is an American regional soccer league run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, the promotion of high-level competition between clubs, and the support of all of its members through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The league’s 2024 season involved 37 clubs from 6 different states and included the league’s first-ever system of promotion and relegation.

The expansion deadline for the 2025 MWPL season is December 1st, 2024. Interested clubs can follow this link for more information.

League Commissioner Vacancy

The Midwest Premier League seeks a new League Commissioner. This position presents a unique opportunity in American soccer that offers the right individual the ability to help grow the game while guiding a collection of member clubs through their summer seasons (May-July). The League Commissioner will report to the Board of Directors and coordinate with individual Conference Commissioners to enforce predetermined rules and regulations while adjusting to the dynamics of the sport as needed.

Interested candidates should apply by emailing a resume to info@midwestpl.com.

About the Midwest Premier League

The Midwest Premier League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional soccer league that is run by its member clubs. The goals of the league are to focus on sustainability, promote high-level competition among its clubs, encourage participation in regional and national cup competitions, and support all of its member clubs through the sharing of ideas and best practices.

Qualifications

  • Administrative experience in professional or amateur soccer at the club or league level
  • Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely
  • No existing administrative role with a current Midwest Premier League member club

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and enforce all elements of the league’s by-laws and Operations Manual
  • Assist Conference Commissioners with their direct administration of the clubs in each individual conference
  • Coordinate with referee assignor(s) to ensure game officials are aware of the league’s expectations, requirements, and other guidelines
  • Participate as a member of the league’s Disciplinary Committee, which is responsible for determining appropriate punishments for violations of the Operations Manual
  • Coordinate the scheduling of all regular season league games as well as any league-related post-season or mid-season competitions
  • Operate as the primary point of contact for league-related inquiries from member clubs and third parties and be available for calls after normal business hours during the season
  • Attend and help organize the Annual General Meeting and other meetings as needed
  • Arrange the purchase of league-related resources (game balls, awards, services, etc.)
  • Assist with the expansion and growth of the league and its conferences in a manner that aligns with the guidelines and goals set by the Board of Directors

Compensation

A portion of each season’s league fees go toward the payment of the League Commissioner, which will be paid out in two installments during the season. Total compensation is dependent upon the number of member clubs each season.

AFC Roscoe clinches 2024 Heartland Conference Division 2 Title with thrilling win over Green Bay Glory

AFC Roscoe has secured the 2024 Heartland Conference Division 2 title follo wing a thrilling 4-2 victory over Green Bay Glory this past weekend. The match, held at Green Bay Glory’s home ground, saw goals from Lyndon Hu, Morais Lee (twice), and an own goal, sealing the win for the Chicago-based club.

Photo: Piotr Maziuk

The game was highly anticipated as both AFC Roscoe and Green Bay Glory had already earned promotion to Division 1 earlier in the season. This final match determined the Division 2 champion in what was the first year for both clubs in the Midwest Premier League. Notably, these promotions mark the first ever in the Midwest Premier League after the league established a promotion/relegation system this year in the Heartland Conference. This milestone is a significant step in the league’s 2030 plan, which includes implementing promotion and relegation for the league as a whole.

AFC Roscoe’s President Adam Nijhawan expressed immense pride in the club’s achievements. “I am incredibly proud of everyone in the club. Every player played their part in our success this season. This all would not be possible without the hard work Tommy Bender, Connor Kirkbride, Bryan Watherhouse, and Pietro Mozzone have put in all year to build a platform for success,” he stated.

The club’s recent success is a continuation of their impressive form, having won the Greater Chicago Soccer League back-to-back before joining the Midwest Premier League in 2024. “We have now won three league titles in three years, and we do not plan on stopping anytime soon. We hope to use this recent success to take our club to the next level. We have a great group of players, and I am very excited to see how the club develops in preparation for next season,” added the President.

Looking ahead, both AFC Roscoe and Green Bay Glory will face greater challenges in Division 1 next season. They will compete against well-established clubs such as Chicago House AC, RWB Adria, and Bavarian United SC. As the clubs celebrate their promotion success, the focus now shifts to preparing for the next season and continuing their trajectory of success. The future looks bright for AFC Roscoe and Green Bay Glory, and their fans have much to look forward to.

Cedars FC claims 2024 Great Lakes Conference Championship

Photo: Dylan Lewis

Cedars FC from Dearborn, Michigan, captured the 2024 Great Lakes Conference championship following a 3-1 victory over Northern Indiana FC last night in South Bend, Indiana.

The championship game featured the winners of the Great Lakes East and Great Lakes West divisions. Cedars FC (8W-0D-2L) traveled to face Northern Indiana FC (9W-1D-0L). Northern Indiana FC took an early lead in the 7th minute when defender Martin Von Thun scored with a header from a corner kick. Cedars FC responded in the 40th minute when forward Hasan Daoud scored after a service to the far post, equalizing the match at 1-1 by halftime.

In the second half, Cedars FC increased their offensive pressure. Forward Andrew Schwartz scored in the 58th minute, giving Cedars FC the lead. The team extended their advantage in the 77th minute with a goal from Nour Aoude, who executed a notable individual play down the wing. Northern Indiana FC applied late pressure and scored in the 86th minute with a goal from Kevin Vidana after a set piece. Despite the efforts from The Travelers, the Indiana-based team was unable to equalize, and Cedars FC secured the win and the Great Lakes Conference championship after an impressive team performance.

This victory marks Cedars FC’s first Great Lakes Conference championship in their third year in the league, bringing the title back to Michigan after a one-year absence. Northern Indiana FC, in their debut season, completed an undefeated regular season before reaching the championship game.

Cedars FC’s Club Director Mo Salman, shared his thoughts on the recent Championship game: “Truly a Championship game pitting the 2 top teams in the GL conference in a fiesta atmosphere. Sincerest gratitude to NIFC players, coaches, management, and their awesome fans for making us feel welcome.” while Assistant Coach Haider Alzyadi praised his teams efforts after the first 30 minutes of the game and added “Heading into the final, we didn’t know much about our opponents. After some adjustments, we began playing our brand of soccer. Hasan Daoud off the bench breathed life into us. Our boys dominated the second half. Massive credit to NIFC for a well-fought game. We were able to neutralize their long ball efforts and advance the ball quickly to the attacking 3rd, forcing them to defend us. With players like Nour, Youseff, Kinan, Schwartz, Massar, and Hasan in the Cedars attack, goals were bound to come.”

:astly, Head Coach Sam Piraine, had this to say after claiming the Great Lakes Championship in his first season at the helm “Going into this final, we knew we were up against a massive challenge. Playing at their place, we had to weather the storm early. After tactical adjustments, we implemented our plan: defend together, transition quickly. Couldn’t be happier for this group and thankful for the support from the Cedars staff and board members“