Midwest Premier League

The Midwest Premier League is a nonprofit regional soccer league in the United States, established in 2019 by clubs formerly part of the United Premier Soccer League's Midwest Conference. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.

History

The league was founded by Union Dubuque FC, RWB Adria, DeKalb County United, and Cedar Rapids Inferno. Initially, it was expected to have between five and ten teams for its inaugural season, but in its first full season in 2021, it featured 20 clubs organized into two conferences. The league has experienced rapid growth, expanding to 27 clubs in 2022 and 35 in 2023. By the 2024 season, it had 37 member clubs across five conferences, and for the 2025 season, it expanded further to include 45 clubs distributed among six conferences: Gateway North, Gateway South, Great Lakes East, Great Lakes West, Heartland Division 1, and Heartland Division 2.

Structure and Format

The Midwest Premier League is run by its member clubs, with a focus on sustainability, promoting high-level competition, and supporting member clubs through shared ideas and best practices. The regular season typically takes place during the summer months, from early May to late July, with each team playing a minimum of 10 games within their division. Some conferences may also include interconference matches to complete their schedules.

Competition Model

As part of its 2030 strategic plan, the league introduced a promotion and relegation system in the Heartland Conference starting from the 2024 season. This involves two divisions within the conference, where the top two teams in Division 2 gain promotion, and the bottom team in Division 1 is relegated based on sporting merit.

Leadership

In November 2024, the league appointed Duncan Riddle as its Commissioner for the 2025 season. Riddle brings experience from roles in the English Premier League and the United States Adult Soccer Association.

Participation in National Competitions

Midwest Premier League teams participate in national competitions, most notably the U.S. Open Cup. In 2025, Chicago House AC and Edgewater Castle FC were selected to represent the league in the U.S. Open Cup qualifying rounds. Chicago House AC has a notable history in the competition, having previously advanced to the tournament proper and faced professional teams like Chicago Fire and Minnesota United 2.

[1] https://www.midwestpl.com/about-league/ [2] https://www.thegazette.com/minor-league-sports/cedar-rapids-inferno-semipro-soccer-club-joins-new-midwest-premier-league/ [3] https://www.midwestpl.com/2024/11/07/midwest-premier-league-hires-experienced-visionary-commissioner/ [4] https://www.midwestpl.com [5] https://www.midwestpl.com/tag/semiprofessional-soccer/page/3/