Home of Steel City FC, a minor league soccer team representing Chicago's south and south-west suburbs, playing in the Midwest Premier League.
#steelcityfc
🏴☠️Promoted!
Welcome to Wrexham? Hold our Malört. There’s a promotion story in your backyard!
The Midwest Premier League has adopted promotion and relegation, and we will play in the circuit’s first division!
We earned top slot by being the third-highest points earner through
⚕️Help
Averie (9) suffered a stroke during a soccer game in Shorewood. Averie had a 2nd stroke and 2 brain surgeries in her 3 weeks in ICU.
Her bravery is awe-inspiring. Her story (linked) is heart-wrenching.
Help local; join us in donating.
🏴☠️Recognized (1/2)
Steel City Chairman
@ivaldobasso
was honored by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Section 14.
Basso was recognized for Steel City's work amplifying the high school game. Section 14 represents dozens of schools in the Steel City nation area.
🚨🚨Breaking🚨🚨
USASA has released the Region II pairings for the National Amatuer Cup.
The Cup crowns the national semi-pro champion, who qualifies directly for next year's US Open Cup.
Region II is one of the country's four regions.
#steelcityfc
🚨Breaking
A third player from Steel City FC has signed a professional contract. Amazing accomplishment for the two-year club.
Bulatovic starred for the club in '21, and we wish him the best in the Serbian First League with FC Metalac.
#steelcityfc
⬛️CELEBRATION!🟥
We reflect on the accomplishments of our inaugural season. A resounding success; both on the field and in the community!
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
You’ve watched the World Cup, maybe even
@Wrexham_AFC
, and the
@ChicagoFire
isn’t stealing your heart (although we’re rooting for them to). It’s time to go deeper with YOUR local, 5th division club in ‘23!
Off-season update includes home opener info!
▶️
If
@SorareHQ
ever wanted to license a 4th division club in the United States, our DMs are open!
Steel City FC, based in Joliet, Illinois, is enjoying its inaugural season near the top of the table in the Midwest Premiere League.
#Sorare
#NFT
#steelcityfc
#mwpl
#OwnYourGame
🏴☠️Record Breaking
Steel City broke its all-time attendance record Monday night at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet. 517 inside and 350 on live stream
Two remain at home in '23
☠️July 16 | L-Way Central HS (2pm)
☠️July 24 | Duly (8pm)
Thank you for the support!
#steelcityfc
📽️Record-Breaking!
Under the canopy of a brilliant nighttime sky, Joliet's charm shined. Thank you to the 303 fans that captured the ambience in person.
We also applaud those that were challenged by the weather and the fact it was a school night - those supporters set a new
🏴☠️LYSIK
Steel City's all-time scoring leader and co-captain has Plainfield East's varsity soccer team an eye-popping 12-3.
The 26-year-old, in his first year coaching, leads the Bengals to a conference championship tilt Tuesday.
🏴☠️Insights Report
Record-breaking engagement in every category our three-year old club tracks. Thank you for making the southwest suburban club part of your fandom!
The report can be downloaded at:
FT: Steel City FC 4 v. United Kansas City FC 0
Two goals each from Williams and Lysik, along with three second-half assists from McGrath paced Steel City.
Mack secured the shutout in goal with Dillard, Chavolla, Keate and Ortiz holding firm in the back.
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
🚨Corn Conquered (Again)
☠️Steel City continued its all-time undefeated run in Joliet
☠️Brandon Camacho’s 23 yard free kick seals come-from-behind victory
☠️Haenicke springs Lechunga to ice it late
☠️Mack amd Dillard hold firm in back
🏴☠️Congratulations!
Jake Lysik named Plainfield East's Head Boys Varsity Coach; a significant accomplishment at age 26.
Lysik joins four other Steelmen coaching local high school/universities. In addition, over two dozen local youth teams are coached by Steel players/staff.
📢USASA Cup Draw
The nation's tournament to determine a national amatuer champion has conducted its draw.
Steel City will host Czarni Jaslo in Round 2. City has a bye in Round 1. The match will take place prior to April 21st. Date and location are TBD.
Jaslo are the reigning
🏴☠️Steel City High School Challenge
Lincoln-Way Central edged Lincoln-Way East in PKs Monday night at Duly prior to Steel City's victory.
Thank you to Coach Brown of LWC and our
#8
, Coach Ribbens of LWE, for their tireless work as coaches and mentors to our area's young players.
🖤THANK YOU!
🏴☠️Memorable 2nd season!
🏆U23 League Champions
🥈U23 IL State Cup Finalists
👞MWPL Golden Boot Winner (Bechtel)
👨👩👦👦Single-game attendance record (507)
📻Interview and scores on local radio
📰Chicago Tribune feature
📰Magazine cover story
📈Forward to '23!
Can't Build City Without Ozinga
We're proud to announce that the fourth-generation, family-owned American business continues as presenting partner
Learn more about Ozinga's American story of hard work and determination at
▶️
GOAL STEEL CITY!
Jake Lysik dribbled through two, tight-roped the endline, and slotted from an acute angle on 60 minutes. Steel City leads Chicago House 1-0
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
🚨Save the Date!🚨
Our 11-game Midwest Premier League schedule has dropped.
🏟️4 games at Duly Field ("Slammers")
🏟️2 games at L-Way Central H.S.
🏟️Pre-season friendly at Kankakee H.S.
Story➡️
GOLDEN BOOT🏆
🏴☠️Bechtel claims Midwest Premier League Boot
🏴☠️
#11
tallied 9 times in 10 games
🏴☠️The St. Olaf man had 2 hat-tricks
🏴☠️Plainfield native was Joliet Herald's '21 POY
🏴☠️Jake Lysik's 7 goals earns 3rd spot
🏴☠️Lysik is Steelmen's All-Time Points Leader
Many states have poorly run or no State Cup competitions.
Illinois is lucky to have smoothly run Cup competitions for Men's Open, O30, O40 and U23, along with Women's Open and U23.
Thank you to Claudio Frigo, ISSA Prez, Boris Vukovic, Cup Commish and Ninos Alexander for refs.
🏴☠️Giving Back
Local legends Anthony and Nick Markanich dropped by Steel City's winter workout.
Anthony started on
@stlCITYsc
, MLS's Western Conference Champion, while Nick bagged 13 goals for
@Chas_Battery
in the USL Championship
Both starred at Bradley-Bourbonnais HS and NIU.
🚨3 MLS SuperDraft Picks!
A banner day for the 35-team Midwest Premier League. Three former players were selected in today's
@MLS
SuperDraft. The
#3
pick, Logan Farrington of Bavarian United SC, lined up against Steel City in '21. Lansing Common alumni were picked
#12
and
#46
.
📢Tournament Time
Our teams enter the 113-year old, single-elimination Illinois State Cup this week. It's been 103 years since a team in our area won it
We play AFC Roscoe Village and our U23s play
@dkcunited
in the U23 tourney
⬇️What is the Illinois State Cup?⬇️
#steelcityfc
❤️FRIEND and FOE!🖤
Steel City FC v.
@ChicagoHouse_AC
Our club's first pro signing lines up against us TONIGHT at Kankakee High School at 7pm
Damon Almazan's signing included the first ever solidarity payment from a pro to minor league club in the USA
#steelcityfc
#NISA
#MWPL
🏴☠️Ozinga
Ozinga will continue as the club's presenting partner in '24.
"We wouldn't exist without their support. They follow our progress, ask probing questions, and make creative recommendations. We are lucky to have them," said Steel City's Chairmen. ▶️
🚨NEXT MATCH
📅June 6th
🕣7:30pm
🏟️Duly Health and Care Field
🏆Midwest Premier League
🗞️Undefeated all-time in Joliet
🗞️Undefeated all-time against House
👩👩👧👦Kids activities
🍻Beers and Margaritas
🎟️Discounted tix ▶️
#steelcityfc
🏴☠️ 3 POINTS
Tale of two halves. Chicago hit bar four times and missed a penalty in the 1st half, while Steel City had the run of play in the 2nd.
Camacho netted his third of the year via a 20-yard free kick. Sam Price made several point-blank saves to preserve the shutout
Champions🏆
Steel City Reserves, in their 1st season, have won the National Soccer League's U-23 Championship.
Steel City clinched on the league's final match day, thrashing CKS Warta 5-2.
#steelcityfc
@NSLChicago
New Signing❗️👀
Sean Gavin🇮🇪
@magicpsg22
Former University of Tulsa attacking fullback checks the boxes.
✅Tough
✅Smart
✅Smooth
Two-sport athlete doubles as an elite semi-professional Gaelic football player in south-suburban Gaelic Park.
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
Steel City Thrash Diablos!🏴☠️
📰Bechtel nets second straight hat-trick
📰Lysik converts from the spot
📰Iniquez provides two assists.
📰Dillard, Erickson, Keate and Mack lead clean-sheet
📰Bechtel ravaging MWPL defenses with 10 goals
📰Last game of '22 next Sat at L-Way Central
🏆National Championship
☠️Thousands of eligible teams
☠️One tourney crowns champ
Historic
@SchwabenAC
, a 97-year old club, visits April 18th for Round 1 of the single-elimination tourney
🎟️2 tickets for $5 on-line
🎟️Students & kids free
▶️
Congrats to Anthony and Nick Markanich for being drafted in MLS SuperDraft.
The former Bradley-Bourbannais and NIU standouts join list of south 'burb boys in pro outdoor game: Guzan (Providence), Grabavoy (L-Way), Regan (Sandberg), Almazan (Joliet W) and McGrath (L-Way West).
Aggregate table in 2-year league history.
Our 2nd-year club trails only two clubs - who've existed over 158 years!
Bavarian are 9-time national semi-pro champs including in '22, and Adria are 3-time nat'l champs.
We close the gap in '23!
#steelcityfc
📈Record-Breaking
In only its 3rd season, the greater Joliet, Lincoln-Way and south suburban regions are getting behind Steel City. See why!
Home opener at Duly Health & Care Field in Joliet on May 17th at 7:30pm.
Discounted game tix and season tix:
▶️
🏴☠️Lysino
Steel City’s co-captain and all-time leader in goals and assists returns.
The Chicago Tribune profiled Steel City’s icon in '22 when he finished third in the league's Golden Boot standings.
In ’23, Lysik continued to turn heads - posting a 13-5 record in his debut
🚨APRIL 14!
Move over NCAA tournament. There's a national, tournament with thousands of eligible teams.
The 100-year old USASA Cup - which crowns the national semi-pro champion - comes to Kankakee Sunday at 6:30pm! Steel City enters the single-elimination tournament in Round 2
🚨Pro Signing!🚨
Congratulations to Zoe Swift, from our sister club, Ladies Steel City FC, for signing a pro contract with Puerto Rico Sol FC.
That's our club's second pro signing, including Damon Almazan to Chicago House, this season!
#steelcityfc
#woso
#MWPL
@PuertoRicoSol
🏴☠️Nigel Dillard
Our iron man, who played every minute of every match in '22, continues to make a local impact.
As part of its coaching staff, Dillard has Olivet Nazarene University off to a blistering 7-1 start and a
#18
national ranking in the latest NAIA poll.
#steelcityfc
🚨Breaking
Steel City and its supporters are thrilled to celebrate a milestone together - 118 season tickets sold!
The record-breaking support is a vote of confidence towards our commitment to amplifying the area's young adults while creating family-friendly nights out.
Steel
🔎PLAYER PROFILE
♟️Jacob Lysik 🇺🇸🇳🇱
@jlysik2
🟥Right back/wing
⬛️Co-Captain
🟥Steelmen Assists Leader (6)
⬛️Lincoln-Way Central High School
🟥Aurora University
⬛️Player of the Year: N. Athletics Collegiate
Conf.
🟥Fav plyrs: Rashford, Shaw
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
#LegacyStrong
🏴☠️Continuity
A team would be lucky to have Nigel as its Coach.
We've got him as all-time appearance leader, Minister of Defense, assistant coach and now, Head Coach.
The field general takes top job for the remainder of the Midwest Premier League season.
#steelcityfc
🏴☠️We're proud of the significant accomplishment that TWO Midwest Premier League teams - Chicago House and Bavarian United - qualified for the US Open Cup.
🏴☠️We're also proud of being the only league's team that beat both of them.
#steelcityfc
🌐Predict the Table!
The Midwest Premier League's Heartland Conference will feature promotion/relegation for the first time!
How will the table look at the final whistle on July 31st? Who will lead and who will lag in average match attendance? Click to predict!
Division 1
🏴☠️U23s Romp
Steel City's U23s will play in the Illinois State Cup Final for the 2nd straight year. The young guns blitzed FCX U23 5-0 in the semi-final and will meet Berber City in the July 8th final in Glenview.
The U23s lost to Czarni Jalso in last year's final.
🏆Champions
🏴☠️Steel City Reserves, who averaged over four goals per game, will bring the National Soccer League's U23 trophy to Chicago's southwest suburbs.
🏴☠️First year team will place it alongside their Illinois State Cup U23 finalist trophy.
#steelcityfc
🏴☠️Champions
Congratulations to Steel City legend
@BechtelShea
(jr.), his brother Ryan (fr.) and coach
@justin_oliver11
for winning the NCAA Division III National Championship. S. Bechtel assisted the game-winner in overtime. It's St. Olaf's first men's soccer national title.
𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🎶
@StOlafMSOC
claimed its first national title with a 2-1 overtime win over Amherst this afternoon to bring home the second NCAA team national championship in school history!
RECAP:
#UmYahYah
|
#OlePride
|
#d3soc
🏆Champions
Steel City captured CLASA's regular season indoor title.
It was the club's first year in the grueling league, after "doing the indoor double" last season capturing ROMA Sportsclub's regular season and tournament titles.
Steel City begins its second consecutive
Today we are taking a moment to bring the spotlight onto player Nigel Dillard and congratulate him on being selected as being a player coach. Nigel has played an enormous part in this club. We are proud to have him as a player and we are even more proud to have him as a coach.
If only there was a compact footprint league of ~ 20 teams with entertaining, high-quality play and local rivalries! 🤯🤩
Come play with us. Applications being accepted for the 2022 season by
@midwestpl
➡️
#MWPL
#SteelCityFC
Greater London population 8.9 million < Greater Chicagoland population 9.5 million. We could have this is we implemented FIFA’s universial principles of sporting merit, solidarity, and
#ProRelForUSA
.
🏴☠️GAMEDAY🏴☠️
Our starting XI vs United Kansas City FC in the single-elimination USASA Amatuer Cup (first round).
See you at Lincoln-Way North HS Stadium at 2:00 pm.
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
🏴☠️History
The Joliet Steel Works site employed nearly 4,000 workers 100 years ago. It was the US’s 2nd largest
Managers were socially advanced for their day. In 1889, costing $75k, they built Steel Workers Club, with athletic (soccer) facilities employees could use for $2/day
📈Elevated
Steel City legend Nigel Dillard has been named Head Men's Soccer Coach at The University of St. Francis in Joliet.
The Fighting Saints play in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference and finished 8-6-2 last season.
Steel City takes pride in being part of its
📢FINAL IN ROCKFORD
☠️City's 4 first-half goals sinks hosts
☠️Defense holds firm, down to ten men
☠️Coach Mkhwanazi used 25 different players in three pre-season matches
☠️Season opener is May 17th in downtown Joliet!
#steelcityfc
☀️PLAY
Over 400 youth players played in New Lenox Soccer Association's annual recreational tournament. The Association, amongst the biggest "top of the funnel" programs in the State, is in its 42nd year serving the New Lenox community.
#steelcityfc
🚨Breaking
🏴☠️Director of Coaching
Mkhwanazi is named Steel City's DOC. Vince will guide coaches and place energy towards broader initiatives in competition, facilities, and expanded men and women's platforms.
Multiple leadership changes summed up here:
➡️
🛑Danny Mack!🛑
Shutouts in indoor?
TWO straight shutouts for the Steel City brick wall after two straight 7-0 Steel City victories. The talk of all indoor!
#steelcityfc
@Speechingking
STEEL STRONG🏴☠️
Steel City 3 vs. Bavarians 1
Bechtel (Lysik)
McGrath (Lysik)
Bechtel (Garcia)
Steel City overcomes early Bavarian goal and crushes the depending champs.
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
Steel City Downs House🏴☠️👀
Jake Lysik's 60th minute strike downed Chicago House AC 1-0.
Defender Conner Erickson made a diving clearance off the goal-line with his chest and Jalen Depenbrock provided an acrobatic point-blank save late to deny the hosts.
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
☀️GAMEDAY
📅June 6th
🕣7:30pm
🏟️Duly Health and Care Field
🏆Midwest Premier League
🗞️Undefeated all-time in Joliet
🗞️Victory sends us top-of-table
👩👩👧👦Kids activities
🍻Beers and Margaritas
🎟️Discounted tix: ▶️
📺Stream:
▶️
Inter FC cancels our NSL U23 league match on the day of game. Rockford Raptors cancels our U23 IL State Cup match on day of game.
Poor and irresponsible. When are clubs, leagues and associations going to hold themselves and their members to a higher standard?
#steelcityfc
We celebrate at the whistle not just because we've won (again), but also for Niko's Pizzeria & Grill, who feeds us post-game.
We’re honored to be Niko's 2nd favorite team behind his hometown PAS RAXH in Greece, who shares our colors and roots in lower-division football.
@PeterWilt1
We are proud to be part of the milestone.
Our club's founding principle is to assist young athletes pursue their dreams and realize their aspirations. We will continue to work hard to elevate our players.
⬛️Steel City FC; Joliet, IL🟥
☠️☠️☠️
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
#NISA
🚨FINAL
Steel City destroyed cross-city rivals Sueno in the 1st ever J-Town Showdown.
Lysik bagged two and Santos Contreras, Haro, Dillard and Schoebel anchored the defense in front of GK Sebastien Contreras.
Steelmen remain undefeated all time (3 yrs) in Joliet.
#steelcityfc
The Joliet Messi🏴☠️
Second of his brace in the U23 title decider. 40 yard jaunt.
Shea Bechtel has scored 8 goals in his last three matches in red-and-black.
@StOlafMSOC
is getting an in-form player in August camp.
#steelcityfc
@BechtelShea
@NSLChicago
484 Miles🧳
We Goin'❗️
We travel to Overland Park, Kansas - via
@darcymotors
's wheels - to meet Porto Kansas City, Saturday, in minor league soccer's National Tournament.
Steel City advanced via their recent 4-0 drubbing of United Kansas City FC.🏴☠️
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
#USASA
🏴☠️Home
Czarni Jaslo, our bogey team, who we've never beaten and has knocked us out of two Illinois State Cup tournaments visits Joliet 8pm Monday.
Affordable, convenient, concessions including adult beverages and local athletes!
🎟️Discounted tickets:
🏴☠️Camacho
How do you win over Joliet?
You strike a game-winning 23-yard free kick against DeKalb on your debut. Camacho followed it up weeks later with another game winner - a 30 yard free-kick bomb against Chicago City.
Steel City's co-captain and beating heart returns.
🚨Breaking
The Illinois State Soccer Association has released its Illinois State Cup draw. Steel City FC will host Lakeview FC in the single-elimination tournament's first round.
The Illinois State Cup is in its 115th year, cancelled only once, due to COVID. It's been a long
🚨New Signing
🏴☠️Santos Contreras
☠️Routinely scores in Joliet
☠️Contreras led Joliet-based St Francis University in scoring and captained the side in '22
☠️Video game
#s
: 88 goals and 33 assists; all-time leader at Kewanee High School
#steelcityfc
Nick Markanich (
@Nmarkanich
) from nearby Bourbonnais blowing the doors open on the USL Championship scoring list. Nick becomes the league’s goal leader with a 4-goal game!
🏴☠️The Coach
☠️The architect of Steel Strong has led the club since inception
☠️Mkhwanazi also coaches girls' soccer and trains and mentors players currently playing in the MLS, USL, and US National teams
We’re Gonna Need A Bigger House; Chicago House AC Adds Four Players!
Club’s Roster More Than Doubles With Friday’s Addition of Four Local Talents.
📰: |
#OurCityOurHouse
🚨Breaking
🏴☠️New Head Coach
Known as "The Minister of Defense" while patrolling Steel City's back-line for three years, Dillard also served as assistant coach and player recruitment coordinator.
Read more about multiple club leadership changes here:
➡️
☠️It's Time☠️
Home Opener Tickets on Sale Now!
🌮$2 Tacos
🍺$3 Beers
🍹$4 Margaritas
🤸Kids: Pre and post game on-field activity.
🗓️Saturday, May 21st
Tickets➡️:
#steelcityfc
#MWPL
It's been 103 years...⏳
...since a team in our area won the
@ilstatecup
. Let's not wait longer...
GAMEDAY. Single-elimination.
🏴☠️Our XI.🏴☠️
#steelcityfc