The Midwestern Premier League (MWPL) was founded in 2019 with the goal of being “a cooperating association of like-minded clubs who want to excel on and off the field, with a focus on sustainability and responsible growth.” Since then, the league has grown from a handful of teams to a regional powerhouse. Now featuring 27 clubs in three divisions, the league is the model of “responsible growth.” That growth and the acquisition of new members year-over-year is based on the league’s attractiveness to the clubs that dot the midwest. The MWPL has excelled in culturing a respected brand name through a professional social media presence, balanced but challenging member schedules, plus a strong showing in friendly cup competitions. This weekend will reveal yet another friendly cup that fits perfectly into the league’s approach to growth, the Mackinac Cup.

Mackinac Island has long been a place of great local importance. Native peoples settled the island hundreds of years ago and when fur trappers came into the area, it quickly became a center for trade. Eventually a British fort would be built there. In the late 19th century, Mackinac became a destination for vacationing Michiganders, leading to infrastructure development. The island continues to serve that purpose today and the entire island is now a National Historic Landmark. In 2022, Travel + Leisure named Mackinac Island the best island in the continental U.S. to visit. But for Rob Chambers, the island is more than all that, for him it’s home.

Rob has lived on the island all his life, in fact, he’s a 5th generation Island resident. About 2 years ago, he and a group of friends founded Upper Peninsula FC. As most soccer clubs do, early on they started a “Twitter account and Instagram page,” primarily with the goal to “attract attention from other clubs in MI with the hopes of hosting a friendly on Mackinac Island.” With an island population of around 500 residents, the question of filling a roster was an early bridge to cross. “Due to the majority of our staff on the island being international employees on various different work visa programs, we are able to equip our squad with players from around the world who are, or who have at one point played competitively in their home country. Soccer on the island has been a constant since the late 80’s and we hope the Mackinac Cup will help us take the next step as a club.”

This weekend’s inaugural Cup match will be the first of its kind on two fronts as the it will also be the first match for Upper Peninsula FC. In partnership with the MWPL, UPFC hopes to establish this club as an annual event. Rob sees this match as a chance to grow awareness for the club AND the island. “The plan is to eventually draw enough attraction to be able to compete in league play someday soon. For the time being our goal is to host friendlies with different clubs looking to travel and experience the island and take on the UPFC.”

Livonia City FC players celebrate in the club’s last MWPL match of the season. Photo credit: Rena Laverty

The MWPL club traveling to Mackinac Island to take on UPFC is Livonia City FC, which was founded in 2015 and grown to be recognized as a cornerstone club in the MWPL. In a club press release about the Cup, Ben Rode, LCFC Vice President, spoke in glowing terms about this weekend’s friendly. “I couldn’t be more excited for this incredibly unique opportunity for our club, UPFC, and the island. Robert and I connected back in October about UPFC and our conversation immediately went to the idea of establishing an end of Summer cup. We’re so proud to be part of this inaugural event, as we know this is a unique experience for any club in the lower leagues of soccer in the US and we hope to continue it in the future.”

The match will be played on the Mark Gallagher Soccer Field of Turtle Park at 7PM on August 27th. The match will be streamed for those that can’t make it in person. Aside from the goodwill between clubs, the MWPL, and the people of Mackinac, one of the main goals of the Cup is to raise money for the Mackinac Island Public School Athletic Department. Rob Chambers has high hopes for the match. “Expect a unique atmosphere made up of Island residents, international employees, tourists, and family members of the players/staff. A competitive friendly and unique experience for both clubs, and hopefully the beginning of another island tradition.”

- Dan Vaughn