Midwest Premier League
The Midwest Premier League is an American amateur and semi-professional soccer league. The league spans primarily the eastern and central portions of the Midwestern United States.
 | |
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Divisions | 3 |
| Number of teams | 27 |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup (via qualifying tournament & NAC) National Amateur Cup (via USASA Region II) |
| International cup(s) | CONCACAF Champions League (via U.S. Open Cup) |
| Current champions | Detroit City U23 (East),
Milwaukee Bavarian SC (West) (2021 season) |
| Most championships | Detroit City U23 and Milwaukee Bavarian SC (1 division title each) |
| Website | midwestpl.com |
| Current: 2021 MWPL season | |
History
The league was founded by four clubs which were all previously members of the United Premier Soccer League Midwest Conference.[1] Following the 2019 UPSL season, the clubs decided that they could create a stable league that would focus on sustainability of the member clubs by sharing ideas, keeping league costs to a minimum, and maximizing the opportunities for all clubs to compete by limiting end-of-season playoffs that often shorten the season for many teams.[2]
The league announced Union Dubuque F.C. as its first member on September 18, 2019, with the other three founding members being announced in the subsequent weeks.[3] RWB Adria joins the MPWL on September 25th 2019.[4] DeKalb County United joins the MWPL on October 2nd 2019.[5] Cedar Rapids Inferno join the MWPL on October 9th, 2019 making it the Fourth member team.[6] And concludes the joining of the founders.
Cliff Conrad has been elected as the league’s first president. Conrad is the co-founder and president of Union Dubuque F.C., one of the league’s charter members.[7]
After a period with no expansion news, FC Diablos of Normal, Illinois was announced on January 10th 2020, and a exapnsion continues into March. With expansion side Rockford FC being unveiled shortly thereafter on January 30th 2020.[8] [9] Livonia City FC joins the MWPL on Feb. 29th 2020.[10] Lake St.Clair joins the MWPL on March 2nd 2020.[11] BiH Grand Rapids joins the MWPL on March 6th 2020.[12]
The league was set to kickoff in Spring 2020, however the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[13] [14]
The Midwest Premier League appoints Andy Hayes as the league’s first Commissioner.[15]
On July 27, 2020, the league announced Lansing Common FC from Lansing, Michigan as a new member club.[16][17]
On September 3, 2020, the MWPL entered a partnership agreement with the National Independent Soccer Association, a USSF Division 3 professional league, which includes pathways for both players and clubs to go fully pro.[18][19]
November kicks off another round of expansions for the league. Starting with Edgewater Castle FC on Nov. 27th 2020.[20]
It was announced on March 21st 2022 that the MWPL would have 3 Divisions within it.[21]
The schedule for the 2nd season of the league was announced on April 6th 2022 nearly a month ahead of the first game. With Detroit city U23 gone there will be a new champion in the East Division. And with a finalized Southern Division there will now be 3 champions for the 2022 season.[22]
Current teams
Cedar Rapids
Grand Haven
West Michigan
Tulip City
- West Division
- East Division
- South Division
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Division | |||||||
| Berber City FC | Chicago, IL | Illinois Institute of Technology | 2013 | ||||
| Cedar Rapids Inferno[23] | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kingston Stadium | 2019 | ||||
| Chicago City SC | Chicago, IL | Lions for Hope Sports Complex | |||||
| Chicago House AC | Chicago, IL | Illinois Institute of Technology | 2021 | ||||
| DeKalb County United | DeKalb, IL | NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex | 2017 | ||||
| FC Diablos | Bloomington, IL | Bloomington High School | 2019 | ||||
| Edgewater Castle FC | Chicago, IL | CIBC Fire Pitch | 2017 | ||||
| Iowa Raptors FC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Prairie High School | |||||
| Milwaukee Bavarian SC | Glendale, WI | Heartland Value Fund Stadium | 1929 | ||||
| RWB Adria | Chicago, IL | Hales Franciscan High School | 1959 | ||||
| Rockford FC | Rockford, IL | Auburn High School | 2019 | ||||
| Steel City FC | Joliet, IL | DuPage Medical Group Field | 2021 | ||||
| East Division | |||||||
| BiH Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | Crestwood High School | 2018 | ||||
| Cedars FC | Dearborn, MI | Fordson High School | |||||
| Detroit Union FC | Waterford, MI | Lake Orion High School | 2021 | ||||
| Grand Haven Admirals | Grand Haven, MI | West Michigan Christian High School | |||||
| Inter Detroit | Auburn Hills, MI | Evolution Sportsplex | 2017 | ||||
| Lansing Common FC | Lansing, MI | Eastern High School Stadium | 2020 | ||||
| Livonia City FC | Livonia, MI | Madonna University | 2015 | ||||
| Michigan Jaguars FC | Novi, MI | Walled Lake Central High School | 1989 | ||||
| Michigan Stars U23 | Washington Township, MI | Romeo High School | 1982 | ||||
| Tulip City United SC | Holland, MI | Holland High School | 2020 | ||||
| West Michigan Bearings | Byron Center, MI | South Christian High School | 2020 | ||||
| South Division | |||||||
| AFC Columbia | Columbia, MO | TBA | 2020 | ||||
| Ajax St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | Ajax Fields | |||||
| Santa Fe Wanderers | Kansas City, KS | TBA | 1995 | ||||
| Springfield FC | Springfield, IL | TBA | 2020 | ||||
Former
| Team | City | Joined | Final season | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LK St. Clair | Mount Clemens, Michigan | 2020 | 2021 | Left league |
| Chicago Athletic | Bensenville, Illinois | 2021 | Left league | |
| Chicago Mustangs | Crystal Lake, Illinois | 2021 | Left league | |
| Detroit City FC U23 | Hamtramck, Michigan | 2021 | Left league | |
| Union Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | 2021 | suspended [24] | |
Seasons
2021 Fall Season
The first season for the MWPL ended on August 1st 2021[25]
East Division
This division contained 8 teams for the 2021 season.
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit City U23 (C) | 39 | 14 | 29 |
| 2 | Lansing Common | 31 | 14 | 21 |
| 3 | West Michigan Bearings | 27 | 14 | 15 |
| 4 | BiH Grand Rapids | 20 | 14 | 7 |
| 5 | Michigan Stars U23 | 19 | 14 | 1 |
| 6 | Livonia City | 9 | 14 | -18 |
| 7 | Inter Detroit | 8 | 14 | -18 |
| 8 | LK St Clair | 5 | 14 | -37 |
Rules for classification: P) points; (GP) games played; (GD) goal differential;
(C) Champion
Western Division
This division contained 12 teams for the 2021 season.
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee Bavarian (C) | 28 | 11 | 24 |
| 2 | RWB Adria | 28 | 11 | 21 |
| 3 | Steel City | 20 | 11 | 7 |
| 4 | Berber City | 20 | 11 | 4 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids Inferno | 16 | 11 | -2 |
| 6 | Union Dubuque | 15 | 11 | -8 |
| 7 | FC Diablos | 14 | 11 | 2 |
| 8 | Chicago Mustangs | 13 | 11 | 1 |
| 9 | Edgewater Castle | 12 | 11 | -6 |
| 10 | Rockford | 9 | 11 | -9 |
| 11 | Dekalb County | 7 | 11 | -15 |
| 12 | Chicago Athletic | 4 | 11 | -19 |
Rules for classification: P) points; (GP) games played; (GD) goal differential;
(C) Champion
2022 Season
The first season with 3 divisions in it.
Division Winners
East Division Winner
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Detroit City U23[26] | Lansing Common |
| 2022 |
West Division Winner
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bavarian SC[27] | RWB Adria |
| 2022 |
Golden Boot winner
The golden boot winners were announced on September 15th 2021. [28] [29]
| Season | Team | Winner | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FC Diablos | Jordan Walker | 15 |
| 2022 |
| Season | Team | Winner | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lansing Common | Shady Omar | 7 |
| 2022 |
Notable former players
Damon Almazan, Steel City FC - 2020, signed in 2021 by Chicago House AC- Derek Huffman, RWB Adria - 2020, signed in 2021 by Chicago House AC
- Stefan Mijatovic, RWB Adria - 2020, signed in 2021 by Chicago House AC
References
- Erik Long, "Sustainability and Responsible Growth, Protagonist USA, 9 October 2019
- League announcement https://midwestpl.com/formationannouncement/
- Union Dubuque joins the MWPL https://midwestpl.com/uniondubuque/
- RWB Adria announced https://midwestpl.com/rwb-adria-becomes-second-team-to-join-midwest-premier-league/
- Dekalb announced https://midwestpl.com/dkcunited/
- Cedar rapids inferno announced https://midwestpl.com/inferno/
- Conrad for President https://midwestpl.com/cliff-conrad-elected-as-inaugural-president/
- FC Diablos announced https://midwestpl.com/fc-diablos-joins-midwest-premier-league/
- Rockford announced https://midwestpl.com/rockfordexp/
- Livonia is announced https://midwestpl.com/lcfcjoins/
- Lake St. Clair joins https://midwestpl.com/lkstclairjoins/
- Bih Grand Rapids https://midwestpl.com/bihjoins/
- O'Connor, Larry. "Midwest Premier League cancels 2020 soccer season". The Detroit News. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- 2020 season is cancelled do to pandemic https://midwestpl.com/member-clubs-vote-to-cancel-2020-season/
- Andy Hayes is appointed Commissioner https://midwestpl.com/midwest-premier-league-appoints-andy-hayes-as-league-commissioner/
- Friend, Phil. "How a group of fans created Lansing Common Football Club, a team owned by its supporters". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- Saliby, Sophia. "A Year After Lansing Ignite Folded, Lansing Common FC To Step In As Community-Run Team". www.wkar.org. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- "NISA Grows Amateur Affiliations in Partnership with Newly-Minted Midwest Premier League". www.nisasoccer.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- "MWPL Joins Forces with NISA". Midwest Premier League. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- Edgewater is announced https://midwestpl.com/edgewater-castle-fc-joins-west-division/
- MWPL 2022 Conference Alignment. http://midwestpl.com/midwest-premier-league-2022-conference-alignment/
- 2022 schedule https://midwestpl.com/2022-mwpl-schedule/
- Douglas Miles, "Cedar Rapids Inferno Joins New Midwest Premier League", Cedar Rapids Gazette, 9 October 2019
- union announcement https://www.uniondfc.com/news/2022update
- Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (4 August 2021). "With our first official season in the books, here are the final league standings! How'd your team finish? t.co/xBfrrrb53w" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via Twitter.
- Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (2 August 2021). "Now, let's make it official☑️ Your 2021 #MWPL East Division Champions: @DetroitCityFC U23 👑 t.co/tMIZEUmScZ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via Twitter.
- Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (2 August 2021). "It took until the final match day, but your 2021 #MWPL West Division Champions are @BavarianSC_Mens 👑 t.co/m587nDJo07" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via Twitter.
- Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (15 September 2021). "The 2021 East Division Golden Boot Winner 🥾 Shady Omar from @lansingcommonfc had 8 goals this season which helped Lansing to a 2nd place finish in the #MWPL East t.co/X0Iz0ntScS" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via Twitter.
- Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (15 September 2021). "The West Division Golden Boot Winner 🥾 Jordan Walker from @ILProSoccer finished the season with 15 goals and is now in the #MWPL record books for most goals in a single season. t.co/abYOPlZ66Z" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via Twitter.