The 2025 Heartland Conference Division 1 season is here, bringing higher stakes with it. With two teams set for relegation and only one earning promotion from Division 2, every game will matter. Clubs with title ambitions have little room for error, while those fighting to stay up face a tough road ahead. With a mix of experienced contenders and fresh challengers, this season should be one to watch.
RWB Adria enters the season as the defending champions, having won their first Midwest Premier League title in 2024 after several near-misses. The Chicago-based club has a long history in American amateur soccer, with multiple national titles and a reputation for developing players for the professional ranks, most recently Tommy Mihalic, who signed with LAFC 2. With their first MWPL championship secured, Adria now faces the challenge of staying on top while facing ever increasing competition.
Bavarian United SC will be looking to take that top spot after finishing second last season, just five points behind Adria. The Milwaukee club, one of the most successful amateur teams in the country, has won six National Amateur Cup titles and previously dominated the MWPL West Division in 2021 and 2022. This year, with their USL2 team on hiatus, the focus may solely be on the MWPL squad, which could make them an even stronger contender this season.
Chicago House AC has been a consistent presence near the top of the standings since joining the MWPL in 2022. The former professional club has strong support and an experienced leadership team, but the league title has remained just out of reach up to this day. After making a deep run in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup qualifiers, House and Head Coach Shannon Seymour will now turn its full attention to the MWPL season. While no official roster announcements have been made, the potential return of 2024’s conference top scorer, Ricardo ‘Kikis’ Avalos, could be a major boost.
DeKalb County United finished in a comfortable mid-table position last season but faces what appears to be a tougher challenge this year with two teams set for relegation, instead of the single relegation spot in 2024. The early roster announcements suggest a younger squad, with several teenagers set to feature for the club this season. While DeKalb has always been a competitive side, balancing player development with the need to secure results from the first game on will be key to staying out of the relegation battle and look into the top spots in the division.
Czarni Jaslo has experienced both ends of the standings in its first two MWPL seasons. After winning the conference on their debut season in 2023, the team struggled in 2024, ultimately avoiding relegation by a narrow margin after a key victory against Steel City FC. Retaining key players like Brandon Dolezal, who finished third in last year’s scoring race, will be crucial as they look to re-establish themselves in the upper half of the table.
AFC Roscoe and Green Bay Glory enter the season as the newly promoted clubs from Division 2. AFC Roscoe has enjoyed success in multiple competitions over the past few years, winning local league titles before securing the Division 2 championship last season. They will aim to carry that momentum into the Heartland Division 1, though perhaps facing the most significant test yet to date for the Chicago-based club.
Green Bay Glory, established in 2019, fielded its first-ever men’s team in the MWPL last season and finished just behind AFC Roscoe in Division 2. With key returnees already announced, like goalkeeper Haakon Utesch and top scorer Osvaldo Ramirez, the Wisconsin-based club has a solid foundation to build on. The main challenge coach Kerry Geocaris‘ squad will likely face will be adapting to the higher level of competition and ensuring the squad has the depth to compete over the full season.
With the season set to kick off, the competition in Division 1 looks as strong as ever. The fight for the championship, the battle for survival, and the continued development of clubs across the conference will all be key storylines to follow in 2025.
Feature Interview: AFC Roscoe
AFC Roscoe’s rise to Division 1 has been a collective effort, driven by a leadership group that is deeply involved in every aspect of the club—both off the field and on it. Uniquely, many of the club’s board members also double as players, making their investment in the team’s success even more personal. As they prepare for their first season at this level, Roscoe’s leadership remains focused on sustainable growth and staying true to their identity. After winning the Heartland Division 2 title last year, they know the jump to Division 1 will be their toughest challenge yet, but they’re embracing the opportunity to compete. Their journey, vision, and expectations for the season will be explored further in our conversation with the AFC Roscoe board.
The journey to promotion in 2024 was a defining moment for AFC Roscoe. The club had undergone significant changes, including a rebuild of the squad before the MWPL season began. “It was a testament to the hard work of the players that we were able to have a successful season,” the board explained. “Everyone bought into the club mission, and that collective commitment really showed. One of the most special moments came when all the players on the bench and coaching staff stood together chanting ‘Roscoe’ at the banta bowl, just minutes away from clinching the Division 2 title. That was the moment that summed up our squad’s togetherness. We treat the club like a family, and every contribution was valued in helping us achieve that success.”
Looking back, the board highlighted some key moments that prepared the team for the next level. “For the first time in the club’s short history, we had over 25 players consistently showing up for preseason training. These were player-run sessions, and the intensity was like that of game days,” they shared. “The players’ commitment to training was a crucial factor in our preparation for Division 1. On top of that, our partnership with the University of Chicago allowed us to work with some of their players over the summer, and they had a significant impact. It was special to see how much they cared about Roscoe by the end of the season.”
As with any competition, we always enter with the mentality that we are here to win
– AFC Roscoe board
When asked about the club’s goals for its inaugural Division 1 season, the board was clear: “As with any competition, we always enter with the mentality that we are here to win. We’re bringing back the majority of our squad from last year, and we’re excited to show the Division 1 teams what we’re capable of.” While they acknowledged the strength of Division 1 teams and their long-established success, AFC Roscoe isn’t approaching this season with fear. “We don’t fear any teams. We believe we can compete with the best. Our players are motivated to leave everything on the field this season. Securing safety would be a successful season for this big step in our club’s history, but we are aiming higher. We expect to compete for the title.“
As Roscoe readies itself for this major step up, the leadership team is setting high expectations. “The bare minimum for us to consider our first season in Division 1 a success would be securing safety,” the board said. “However, after winning the GCSL Chicago division in 2022 and 2023, the GCSL Chicago Cup in 2024, and the MWPL Division 2 in 2024, our players expect to be competing for trophies and we would be disappointed not to contend this year.” With that ambition driving them, AFC Roscoe is ready to make a strong statement in their first season in Division 1.
As the club embarks on this new chapter, it is clear that AFC Roscoe’s leadership, on and off the field, is dedicated to success. Their journey from local champions to Division 1 competitors is just beginning, and they’re excited to prove they belong at the top.
Feature Interview: Kerry Geocaris (Green Bay Glory)
As Green Bay Glory readies itself for its second season in the Midwest Premier League, the club is preparing for its first full year in Division 1. We spoke with coach and co-founder Kerry Geocaris to get her thoughts on their promotion last season, the challenges ahead in Division 1, and what success looks like for the club.
For Green Bay Glory, the journey to promotion was nothing short of extraordinary. “It was a whirlwind,” Geocaris explained. “Especially considering the men’s team was founded just months before the season kicked off. We had no idea what to expect, and what unfolded was an unforgettable chapter in Glory history. It wasn’t just a season—it was a moment of magic that established a solid foundation for high-level soccer in Green Bay.” The promotion was a significant achievement, not just for the players, but for the entire community. “It’s something our city has long deserved, and our supporters felt that energy every step of the way,” Geocaris added.
Geocaris credits the team’s growth to their resilience and response to adversity. “Whether it was overcoming tough results, losing key players, or facing unexpected challenges, our guys kept showing up for each other,” she said. “A true brotherhood formed.” This sense of unity, combined with a full season under their belts, allowed the team to establish their identity. “Our style, our personality, and our identity started to take shape. The fact that nearly every player wanted to return speaks volumes about the culture we’ve built,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Green Bay Glory’s goals are as ambitious as ever. “Our goal is—and always will be—to play an attractive, attacking brand of football,” Geocaris emphasized. “We want to lead with intention, both on and off the field.” The club’s focus extends beyond just results; they aim to develop leaders and make an impact both on the field and in the community. “We’re not just focused on results; we’re focused on growth, character, and impact,” she said.
A successful season means players with smiles on their face, a team that doesn’t want the season to end, packed stands and a deeper connection with our community
– Kerry Geocaris, Co-Founder, Green Bay Glory
For Green Bay Glory, success is about more than just wins and losses. “For us, success goes beyond the scoreboard,” Geocaris said. “A successful season means players with smiles on their faces, a team that doesn’t want the season to end, packed stands, and a deeper connection with our community.” Ultimately, Glory’s success is tied to how the team leaves it all on the field, ensuring that the Glory experience continues to grow. “It means we’ve given everything—on the field and beyond—and that the Glory experience continues to grow stronger,” Geocaris concluded.
Green Bay Glory’s journey is just beginning, and with a committed coach, a strong squad, and a passionate fanbase behind them, they are poised to make their mark in Division 1. The club’s blend of ambition, community spirit, and attacking football makes them a team to watch in the 2025 Heartland Conference Division 1 season.