Midwest Premier League

EXPANSION INTEREST FORM

Missouri

FC Kirkwood Joins the Midwest Premier League for the 2026 Season

The Midwest Premier League is excited to announce the addition of FC Kirkwood, a newly established club that will begin play in the Gateway Conference for the 2026 season. Based in Kirkwood, Missouri, the club strengthens the league’s continued growth in the Greater St. Louis region and further expands the MWPL’s footprint of community-driven, independently operated soccer organizations.

Founded with an emphasis on local development, accessibility, and community identity, FC Kirkwood arrives with a clear vision—one rooted in opportunity and long-term investment in the game.

“Football Club Kirkwood is proud to officially join the Midwest Premier League. This is a major step forward for our newly founded club, our players, and our community. We’re excited to compete at a high level while representing the community and contributing to the continued growth of the game in the Midwest. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the journey.”
— Andres Guzman, Owner/President, Football Club Kirkwood

League President Steve Beckman welcomed the club, highlighting the strength of their launch and vision.

“The group launching FC Kirkwood has done a fantastic job with their preparations to bring semi-pro soccer to their city. Their focus on their local community will help them fit right in with the other MWPL clubs in Greater St. Louis.”
— Steve Beckman, President, Midwest Premier League

FC Kirkwood’s addition marks another milestone in the league’s commitment to fostering sustainable, community-first soccer across the Midwest. The club will release additional information regarding its leadership, branding, and inaugural season preparations in the coming months.

Welcome to the MWPL, FC Kirkwood!

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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 2025 season involved 44 clubs from 7 different states, including a promotion-relegation system in the Heartland Conference.

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.