A third-place finish in the Midwest Premier League’s West Division during the inaugural 2021 season put Steel City FC behind some lofty company in RWB Adria Bavarian United. Coming off a seventh-place finish in the 2023 MWPL Heartland Conference table (one point behind Chicago City and two points short of a three-way tie for fourth), no position in the table is safe. The Joliet-based operation nearly resembled the signature skull & crossbones before Chairman Ivaldo Brasso took it upon himself to begin reviving the SCFC fans know today.

“The thinking was centered around minor league baseball,” Basso said. “We would go to one minor league game a year because the kids had perfect attendance or some kind of promotion.” After casually conversing with some fans at games he noticed their attention to certain facets of the game was missing. Basso mentioned occurrences where folks at games couldn’t name a player or know who the home team (Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League) was playing that day. It was something that got under his skin as the years went on...If what’s going on the field doesn’t matter that much, all these people are coming because it’s a night out with their family...it has nothing to do with what’s going on in front of them,” he explained.

Why can’t it be a soccer game instead of baseball?

Hey, Neighbor

While his son was competing for a spot on his high school team as a freshman, an email to parents came across Basso’s inbox. A footnote at the end detailed the coach was making his debut for Steel City FC and was encouraging the families to come out and support. “I had never heard of Steel City,” Basso admitted. “I was like what the heck is this, I tend to know what’s going on in the community around my house, and soccer.” After making a trip over to a match during SCFC’s first year in the MWPL, Basso was taken aback by the level of play the league had to offer. “These thoughts about going to this same stadium and watching baseball, it was all coming together in front of my eyes.” Recognizing the opportunity, Basso fired up the computer and dove ten toes deep into finding out who owns the club and how he could get involved. Before long, a phone number was found, and a six-hour bar conversation with a plumber from Mexico was the result.

Respect the Resurrection

“He had incredible energy and incredible foresight on making the logo and playing in that stadium,” Basso lauded. Enthusiasm will only get you so far nowadays and Basso explained to him a rundown of improvements that should happen to make this what he envisioned. With no posted schedule or any real meat on the bone regarding a website, the club was in desperate need of an operational overhaul as the current path only led to one destination. It was at this moment where the name Basso & Steel City FC became inseparable.

“Goal Steel City!” was the only offering from the PA announcer during Basso’s first SCFC match, and to him, that was not NEARLY enough. “I’m like: Hey man, lets announce the players, let’s tell fans who scored the goal, who had the assist, let’s have corporate sponsors and we could read their names.” Basso added. “He didn’t know how to get all that done, so I was kind of the guy to bring that together in year one.” As soon as the season ended Basso was ready to plan for the following season and out of respect for the owner’s eased timeline, reached every few weeks to offer his assistance. Unpaid operational debts from the previous year threatened SCFC’s existence. Basso saw the vision for what the club could be and was willing to bring all accounts current in return for more influence in how the operation was run. Citing the stresses of running the club, control of SCFC was given to Basso by the previous owner. His first order of business was to prepay all the supporting entities that were used last year as a sign of good faith and communicate to them the vital roles they play during the summer months. “There was a new sheriff in town,” Basso said.

Location, Location, Location

High school stadiums and local facilities are what most lower league clubs call home. Basso wanted to give people a real “night out with the family” feel, selling concessions, alcohol, and all other encompassing amenities. “I would not have done this if we were playing in a high school stadium because that doesn’t match the thesis of making it like minor baseball and family entertainment,” he elaborated. With purse strings growing ever tighter, what you get for your money is more important than ever which is why two bars, a beer garden, and play areas for children welcome anyone who walks through the turnstiles at Duly Health and Care Field. “When a kid walks into that stadium, and I have had parents tell me this, they actually think they are at a pro event just because of what the stadium looks and feels and smells like,” Basso added. The club has already seen returns on its decision to base out of Duly, the amenities and the affordable price point has seen numerous group outings and with the level of club density in the Chicagoland area, everything counts. The fruits of Steel City’s labor are becoming more evident as the seasons turn over. A record 118 season ticket holders for the 2024 season and over 1000 people tuned into the club’s livestreamed 2024 season opener (another record).

Eight of the 13 clubs comprising the MWPL Heartland Conference are based out of the Chicagoland area alone and tossing other leagues in the mix creates a constant arms race for talent. Any structure has an almost guaranteed chance to collapse without a firm foundation so Basso set to work creating those pillars with the most accessible group he could find, the neighbors surrounding Duly. “The approach was going to be completely dogmatic; this is the same strategy for both.” Basso explained. “We literally drew a 20 min circle around our stadium and let’s be almost singularly focused on potential players, fans and corporate partners…only in that small ring and ignore everything else.” He recognized that the talent may not be there at the start but that was not top on his list at that point in time, it was the Snowball Effect. Players that coach youth teams or one of the four high school boys’ varsity teams within that circle provide relevancy with name recognition and prebuilt fanbase. Want to watch your coach lace up the boots and put in a shift? Community support bleeds into the ever-so-vital corporate community because phone calls and emails are soon to follow being exposed to the effort and the potential. “We know exactly who we are talking to,” Basso added. “People have a ton of things to do…Lansing Common or us, we could say tickets are free and you still wouldn’t get 500 people to your game, the money is not the barrier, its time.”

Now that you’ve heard about “Then”, SCFC’s Director of Engagement Craig Lichtenwalter tells you about the “Now”:

Joliet, IL, is the third largest in the state and is home to Steel City FC, a club created to elevate the sport and capture the area’s strength and grit dating back to the days of the steel mines and limestone quarries. While the area boasts an impressive track record of native sons and daughters playing at the highest level – Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Ned Grabavoy (Portland Timbers), Anthony Markanich (St. Louis), Zoe Swift (West Ham) – it’s often been thought of as “second fiddle” to areas farther north for elite players. Steel City is designed to help close that perception gap.

The Steel City platform doesn’t only exist for elite soccer players; it was designed to also be an outlet for students to gain real world experience in many areas of study such as broadcasting, video production, photography, marketing, and sports management. Local colleges and universities have partnered with Steel City on related programming. In the heart of historic downtown Joliet along the famed Route 66 are many family-owned small businesses that support and have also partnered with Steel City FC including Chicago St. Pub, Audiophil’s Records, and Jitters Coffee House. Just two blocks east of the famous Mother Road is where the club plays many of their home matches, at Duly Health and Care Field, which is a beautiful, award-winning stadium which is home to the Frontier League’s Joliet Slammers professional baseball team.

Giving local soccer players and college students a platform to practice their craft and be a viable community-based spectator sport was a unique needle that Steel City sought to thread. And they’ve done it. With an average attendance of over 350 per game (on weeknights!), stream views of over 525 per game, 97 season ticket holders and 14 corporate partners, the community has taken notice.

Amplifying the hard work and good things that others are doing for soccer in the area is a key component to the club’s mission and Steel City FC showcases them whether it is area youth teams practicing and scrimmaging on the field before the Steel City FC match, then creating a player tunnel for pregame introductions, or the Steel City FC High School Challenge throughout the season that pits local high schools in a game prior to the Steel City FC MWPL match. Steel City’s Chairman, Ivaldo Basso, was named the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Soccer Person of the Year by the section 14 coaches for the work Steel City has done to amplify the game in its area.

Not only are players on Steel City contributing on the pitch, but a few of them are bringing their experience and knowledge to area high schools as midfielder Matthew Ribbens is the soccer coach at Lincoln Way East, winger Jake Lysik just completed his first season at the helm of the Plainfield East soccer program, and goalkeeper Danny Mack is the varsity soccer coach at Chicago Christian. Not only does Vincent Mkhwanazi lead the Steel City FC squad, but he also is the varsity coach at Kankakee High School and coaches Legacy SC youth teams in New Lenox. When not wearing the red & black of Steel City, skipper Nigel Dillard can be found roaming the touchlines at Olivet Nazarene University.

As you enter the front gate and head up the steps at Duly Health and Care Field you realize this is going to be special. At the top of the steps not only do you see the inside of this stadium and how a baseball diamond has turned seamlessly into a soccer pitch, but you are also greeted by Steel City FC volunteers who man the ticket table and the merchandise tables. The tables display many items from clothing to accessories, and you purchase an item or two. As you continue along the concourse there are many others here eating and drinking and socializing. You buy some food and drink from a concession stand then find your way to a seat where you sit, begin to eat. You notice the incredible backdrop to this stadium as you see the massive, castle-like, limestone building that is Joliet Central High School, a fire station beyond left field and the elevated railroad tracks add to the ambience.

You watch the match going on in front of you and are impressed with the play. You like the ads on the jumbotron and public address system for the club’s partners that are a huge part in making all this possible, including Ozinga who has been the club’s presenting partner since the inception of the club.

About two hours have gone by since you arrived, and the final whistle blows, and the match is over. You notice the crowd, especially kids and parents walking onto the field and mingle with the players. Taking photos and getting autographs on the Steel City FC autograph card that is given out at every home match.

As you leave the stadium to head home, you replay in your mind the great experience you just had. And how it was great meeting new people that enjoy soccer.

Win, lose or draw, you are hooked and will be back again.

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- Rich Schenck