Midwest Premier League
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 | |
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Divisions | 4 |
| Number of teams | 36 |
| 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 | Inter Detroit (East),
Milwaukee Bavarian SC (West), Ajax St. Louis (South) (2021 season) |
| Most championships | Milwaukee Bavarian SC Ajax St. Louis(2 division titles) |
| Website | midwestpl.com |
| Current: 2024 MWPL season | |
The Midwest Premier League (MWPL) is an American amateur and semi-professional soccer league. The league spans primarily the eastern and central portions of the Midwestern United States.
History
[edit]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 25, 2019.[4] DeKalb County United joins the MWPL on October 2, 2019.[5] Cedar Rapids Inferno join the MWPL on October 9, 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 10, 2020, and an expansion continues into March. With expansion side Rockford FC being unveiled shortly thereafter on January 30, 2020.[8][9] Livonia City FC joins the MWPL on Feb. 29th 2020.[10] Lake St.Clair joins the MWPL on March 2, 2020.[11] BiH Grand Rapids joins the MWPL on March 6, 2020.[12]
The league was set to kick off 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 2020 kicked off another round of expansions for the league. Starting with Edgewater Castle FC on Nov. 27th 2020.[20]
It was announced on March 21, 2022 that the MWPL would have 3 Divisions within it.[21]
The schedule for the second season of the league was announced on April 6, 2022, nearly a month ahead of the first game. With Detroit City U23 gone, there would be a new champion in the East Division. And with a finalized Southern Division, 3 champions were to be crowned at the end of the 2022 season.[22]
A new conference alignment was announced by the league on February 6, 2023. The MWPL confirmed that for the 2023 season, the South Conference would now be known as the Gateway Conference, the West Conference would now be the Heartland Conference and the East Conference would be the Great Lakes Conference, with an East and West Division.[23]
Teams
[edit]Location map
[edit]
Cedar Rapids
Grand Haven
United West
Holland Rovers
West Michigan
Tulip City
Livonia
Futsal FA
Atletico STL
Cedars FC
Detroit Union
Inter Detroit
Liquid Football
MI Jaguars
MI Stars
Thundercats
Troy FC
YPSI Yetis FC
Heartland Division
Great Lakes West Division
Gateway Division
Great Lakes East Division
Former teams
[edit]| 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[25] | |
| FC Diablos | Bloomington, IL | 2021 | suspended operations | |
Seasons
[edit]2021 Fall Season
[edit]The first season for the MWPL ended on August 1, 2021[26]
The Eastern division contained 8 teams for the 2021 season.
This Western division contained 12 teams for the 2021 season.
| Eastern Division Standings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Western Division Standings | ||||
| 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
[edit]The first season with 3 divisions in it.
The Eastern division contained 11 teams for the 2022 season.
The Western division contained 12 teams for the 2022 season
The Southern division contained 4 teams for the 2022 season.
| Eastern Division Standings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Inter Detroit (C) | 21 | 10 | 5 |
| 2 | Lansing Common | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| 3 | Tulip City United | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| 4 | Michigan Jaguars | 18 | 10 | 9 |
| 5 | Cedars FC | 16 | 10 | 0 |
| 6 | Grand Haven Admirals | 14 | 10 | 4 |
| 7 | Michigan Stars U23 | 14 | 10 | 1 |
| 8 | Livonia City | 12 | 10 | -1 |
| 9 | West Michigan Bearings | 9 | 10 | -7 |
| 10 | Detroit Union | 6 | 10 | -17 |
| 11 | BiH Grand Rapids | 5 | 10 | -15 |
| Western Division Standings | ||||
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Milwaukee Bavarian (C) | 24 | 11 | 23 |
| 2 | RWB Adria | 24 | 11 | 21 |
| 3 | Iowa Raptors | 24 | 11 | 18 |
| 4 | Chicago House AC | 20 | 11 | 18 |
| 5 | DeKalb County United | 17 | 11 | 1 |
| 6 | Steel City | 15 | 11 | 3 |
| 7 | Chicago City SC | 14 | 11 | -1 |
| 8 | Rockford FC | 14 | 11 | -6 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids Inferno | 14 | 11 | -14 |
| 10 | Berber City | 8 | 11 | -11 |
| 11 | FC Diablos | 7 | 11 | -24 |
| 12 | Edgewater Castle | 3 | 11 | -28 |
| Southern Division Standings | ||||
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Ajax St. Louis (C) | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| 2 | AFC Columbia | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | Santa Fe Wanderers | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Springfield FC | 0 | 5 | -10 |
Rules for classification: P) points; (GP) games played; (GD) goal differential;
(C) Champion
2023 Season
[edit]The first season with 4 divisions.
| Gateway Division Standings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Ajax St. Louis (C) | 22 | 10 | 19 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids Inferno | 19 | 10 | 8 |
| 3 | Iowa Raptors FC | 16 | 10 | 1 |
| 4 | AFC Columbia | 14 | 10 | -3 |
| 5 | Club Atletico Saint Louis | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| 6 | Southeast Soccer Academy | 3 | 10 | -25 |
| N/A | Santa Fe Wanderers | |||
| Great Lakes West Division Standings | ||||
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | 1927 SC (C) | 27 | 12 | 21 |
| 2 | West Michigan Bearings SC | 27 | 12 | 20 |
| 3 | Lansing Common FC | 24 | 12 | 18 |
| 4 | Tulip City United SC | 20 | 12 | 9 |
| 5 | Livonia City FC | 20 | 12 | 3 |
| 6 | BiH Grand Rapids | 10 | 12 | -11 |
| 7 | Futsal Factory Academy | 8 | 12 | -4 |
| 8 | Holland Rovers FC | 6 | 12 | -40 |
| 9 | United West FC | 4 | 12 | -35 |
| Heartland Division Standings | ||||
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Czarni Jalso (C) | 23 | 10 | 14 |
| 2 | RWB Adria | 19 | 10 | 15 |
| 3 | Chicago House AC | 18 | 10 | 23 |
| 4 | Bavarian United | 16 | 10 | 9 |
| 5 | Dekalb United | 16 | 10 | 8 |
| 6 | Chicago City SC | 15 | 10 | 12 |
| 7 | Edgewater Castle FC | 14 | 10 | 2 |
| 8 | Steel City FC | 14 | 10 | -3 |
| 9 | Berber City FC | 11 | 10 | -6 |
| 10 | Indy Boyz FC | 7 | 10 | -35 |
| 11 | Rockford FC | 2 | 10 | -39 |
| Great Lakes East Division Standings | ||||
| Pos | Team | P | GP | GD |
| 1 | Inter Detroit FC (C) | 28 | 12 | 37 |
| 2 | Liquid Football | 26 | 12 | 9 |
| 3 | Thundercats SC | 19 | 12 | 5 |
| 4 | Michigan Stars FC U23 | 19 | 12 | 2 |
| 5 | Detroit Union FC | 18 | 12 | -3 |
| 6 | Cedars FC | 17 | 12 | -3 |
| 7 | Troy United FC | 16 | 12 | -9 |
| 8 | Michigan Jaguars FC | 13 | 12 | -1 |
| 9 | Aim SC | 4 | 12 | -20 |
Rules for classification: P) points; (GP) games played; (GD) goal differential;
(C) Champion
2024 Season
[edit]The first season with 5 divisions in it.
The Gateway division contained 8 teams for the 2024 season.
The Great Lakes East division contained 10 teams for the 2024 season
The Great Lakes West division contained 6 teams for the 2024 season.
The Heartland Division was split up into two division for the 2024 season. Withe promotion and relegation between the two.
The Heartland division 1 contained 6 teams for the 2024 season.
The Heartland division 2 contained 7 teams for the 2024 season.
Division Winners
[edit]Great Lakes Conference Winner
Note: Formerly the East Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Detroit City U23[27] | Lansing Common |
| 2022 | Inter Detroit | Lansing Common |
| 2023 | West: 1927 SC East: Inter Detroit |
West: West Michigan Bearings East: Liquid Football |
| 2024 | West: Northern Indiana FC
East: Cedars FC |
West: 1927 Fort Wayne FC
East: Michigan Stars FC U-23 |
Heartland Conference Winner
Note: Formerly the West Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bavarian SC[28] | RWB Adria |
| 2022 | Milwaukee Bavarian | RWB Adria |
| 2023 | Czarni Jaslo | RWB Adria |
| 2024 | RWB Adria | Milwaukee Bavarian |
Heartland Conference Division 2 Winner
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AFC Roscoe | Green Bay Glory |
Gateway Conference Winner
Note: Formerly the South Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ajax St. Louis | AFC Columbia |
| 2023 | Ajax St. Louis | Cedar Rapids Inferno |
| 2024 | Cedar Rapids Inferno | Not Decided Yet |
Golden Boot winner
[edit]The golden boot winners were announced on September 15, 2021.[29][30]
| Season | Team | Winner | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lansing Common | Shady Omar | 10 |
| 2022 |
| Season | Team | Winner | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FC Diablos | Jordan Walker | 15 |
| 2022 | Steel City FC | Shea Bechtel | 9 |
| Season | Team | Winner | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
Notable Players
[edit]The following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for a Midwest Premier League team:
Shady Omar, Lansing Common FC - 2021, played professionally at Ittihad El-Shorta (Egypt) 2015-2017 and Al Hilal Matruah (Egypt) in 2022 [4]
Damon Almazan, Steel City FC - 2020, played professionally at Chicago House AC for a season (2021).
Derek Huffman, RWB Adria - 2020, played professionally at Chicago House AC for a season (2021). Currently at Milwaukee Wave of the Major Arena Soccer League- Stefan Mijatovic, RWB Adria - 2020, played professionally at Chicago House AC for a season (2021). Currently at Utica City FC of the Major Arena Soccer League
George Chomakov, Liquid Football - 2023, played professionally at Detroit City FC for three seasons (2019 - 2021) [31]
Benedek Tanyi, Liquid Football - 2023, played professionally at Detroit City FC for two seasons (2021 - 2022).
Albaraa Alsoufi, Liquid Football - 2023, played professionally at Gold Star FC for a season (2023). [33]
References
[edit]- ^ Erik Long, "Sustainability and Responsible Growth, Protagonist USA, 9 October 2019
- ^ "Midwest Premier League Announces Formation - Midwest Premier League". September 16, 2019.
- ^ "Union Dubuque F.C. Joins Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". September 18, 2019.
- ^ "RWB Adria Becomes Second Team To Join Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". September 25, 2019.
- ^ "DeKalb County United Joins Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". October 2, 2019.
- ^ "Cedar Rapids Inferno Becomes Fourth Midwest Premier League Club - Midwest Premier League". October 9, 2019.
- ^ "Cliff Conrad Elected As Inaugural President - Midwest Premier League". September 28, 2019.
- ^ "FC Diablos Joins Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Rockford FC Joins Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Livonia City FC Joins Midwest Premier League - Midwest Premier League". February 29, 2020.
- ^ "LK St. Clair Joins East Division - Midwest Premier League". March 2, 2020.
- ^ "East Division Adds BiH Grand Rapids - Midwest Premier League". March 6, 2020.
- ^ O'Connor, Larry. "Midwest Premier League cancels 2020 soccer season". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Member Clubs Vote To Cancel 2020 Season - Midwest Premier League". March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Midwest Premier League Appoints Andy Hayes As League Commissioner - Midwest Premier League". June 2, 2020.
- ^ Friend, Phil. "How a group of fans created Lansing Common Football Club, a team owned by its supporters". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Saliby, Sophia (July 28, 2020). "A Year After Lansing Ignite Folded, Lansing Common FC To Step In As Community-Run Team". www.wkar.org. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "NISA Grows Amateur Affiliations in Partnership with Newly-Minted Midwest Premier League". www.nisasoccer.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "MWPL Joins Forces with NISA". Midwest Premier League. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Edgewater Castle FC Joins West Division - Midwest Premier League". November 28, 2020.
- ^ "Midwest Premier League 2022 Conference Alignment - Midwest Premier League". March 21, 2022.
- ^ "2022 MWPL Schedule Announced - Midwest Premier League". April 6, 2022.
- ^ "2023 Conference Alignment - Midwest Premier League". February 7, 2023.
- ^ Douglas Miles, "Cedar Rapids Inferno Joins New Midwest Premier League", Cedar Rapids Gazette, October 9, 2019
- ^ "LETTER FROM THE UNION BOARD OF DIRECTORS". Union Dubuque FC. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022.
- ^ Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (August 4, 2021). "With our first official season in the books, here are the final league standings! How'd your team finish? https://t.co/xBfrrrb53w" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (August 2, 2021). "Now, let's make it official☑️ Your 2021 #MWPL East Division Champions: @DetroitCityFC U23 👑 https://t.co/tMIZEUmScZ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (August 2, 2021). "It took until the final match day, but your 2021 #MWPL West Division Champions are @BavarianSC_Mens 👑 https://t.co/m587nDJo07" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (September 15, 2021). "The 2021 East Division Golden Boot Winner 🥾 Shady Omar from @lansingcommonfc had 10 goals this season which helped Lansing to a 2nd place finish in the #MWPL East https://t.co/X0Iz0ntScS" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Midwest Premier League [@midwestpl] (September 15, 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. https://t.co/abYOPlZ66Z" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Detroit City FC's George Chomakov goes distance with upbeat outlook, nose for business [1], Detroit News, April 13, 2020
- ^ Detroit City FC re-signs Benedek Tanyi on a short-term deal [2], Detroit City FC, April 18, 2022
- ^ Albaraa Alsoufi is Finding Meaning in Heritage [3], NISA Network, April 18, 2022